Coronavirus: Arun residents issued firm warning as cases remain well above average

That was the message from Arun District Council leader, Dr James Walsh, as local coronavirus cases continue to rise at a concerning rate.

The infection rate in Arun stood at 743 cases per 100,000 people in the latest week (December 28 to January 3). This was up from 682 cases per 100,000 people in the previous week

The average area in England had 531 cases per 100,000 people, up from 453 the previous week.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to see the number of cases across each neighbourhood in Arun.

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"We are now in a very serious situation with the Covid pandemic, not just nationally but within the Arun district," Dr Walsh said, in a video message to residents today (January 7).

"The figures have shot up over the Christmas period and in the run-up to Christmas. The numbers of cases and people being admitted to hospital have doubled over the last couple of weeks.

"We have really got to take, what I hope will be the final phase of the pandemic — before the vaccination programme is truly rolled out — seriously. It affects each and every one of us.

"Children can transmit the disease to their children, parents and grandparents. Patients are dying and are being very sick and ill because of it.

"Please, please, please, don't think that because the vaccinations are being rolled out, that the pandemic is over. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that we control this and don't let it get further out of control."