"Leicester's demographics the perfect storm for coronavirus outbreak"

30 June 2020, 08:26

Why Leicester has had the first local lockdown over Covid outbreak

Leicester has a population and industry that create a perfect storm for a coronavirus outbreak, a local MP told LBC.

The city has become the first area to have a local lockdown after a sharp rise in the number of cases in recent weeks.

Matt Hancock revealed that 10% of all new infections in the UK are in Leicester, adding that admissions to hospital are between six and 10 per day, rather than about one a day at other trusts.

Andrew Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, explained how the local demographics have led to this.

He said: "These special circumstances caused a perfect storm in the city of Leicester.

"We know that people who live in cities tend to be younger than people who live in the countryside, about eight years younger and we know that the younger generation have been less likely to comply with the lockdown, perhaps only 50% have been complying throughout.

"We've got a much bigger Indian subcontinent population in Leicester, it tends to be multi-generational households. So you've got young people going out, perhaps coming back home with no symptoms and Grandma and Grandad go into hospital.

"We've also got quite a big food industry in Leicester and they've worked throughout the lockdown, so there's more chance of transmission there as they've not been stopping at home.

"And we also have a garment industry in Leicester, which should have locked down but has worked for internet retailers throughout and I think that's a major contribution to the reason we've got this problem now in Leicester."

Hairdresser tells LBC how local lockdown ended her hopes of re-opening

Nick also spoke to hairdresser Katie, who runs George's and London Hair in Leicester.

She revealed she had eight weeks of bookings lined up, which now have to be cancelled.

She said: "We're sad about it but ultimately it's about safety and so we're going to contact the clients and get on with it."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' as Israeli President labels 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’.

Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' says President, labelling 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London

Farage urges farmers to 'keep the pressure up' as tractor protest hits Westminster over Labour’s ‘family farm tax’

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

Parish councillor resigns after being accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet cat

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

‘It made me feel physically sick’: Cat owner’s fury at parish councillor accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet

Nick Ferrari Reflects on an Unforgettable Journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust Survivor Arek Hersh

Nick Ferrari reflects on an unforgettable journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Exclusive
Online extremism under scrutiny: The Prime Minister calls for tougher regulations to curb access to violent content following the Southport murders.

Terrorism ‘kill guides’ shared in social media groups targeting 'loners' and people 'obsessed with violence'

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Exclusive
The Chagos Islands deal is set to be a 'disaster' for US-UK relations, a former Home Secretary has said

'Surrender' of Chagos Islands to Mauritius would be 'disaster' for Labour's relationship with Trump, Braverman says

Exclusive
Britain's deal to cede the Chagos Islands has been cast into doubt

Labour deal to hand over Chagos Islands thrown into doubt as Starmer gives Trump time to 'consider' agreement

Exclusive
The UK and Mauritius said they have made "good progress" on a revised agreement, with Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam claiming the UK wants it finalised before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20.

UK 'mid negotiation' over Chagos deal as government deny they're rushing deal through before Trump takes office

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves faces growing scrutiny as market jitters spark calls for fiscal clarity

Rachel Reeves faces growing pressure as market turmoil raises questions over Labour's fiscal credibility

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign

Reform is “fixed” in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Reform is 'fixed' in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss