Milton Keynes Council Leader Peter Marland has said that the biggest increase in coronavirus cases in our city is amongst people aged in their 20's and 30's.
In the past two weeks, 3,779 people have been tested in Milton Keynes and of these 45 people have tested positive. The number of cases is therefore 7.8 per 100,000 population.
For comparison, Luton's case rate is currently 26.8 per 100,000, Bedford's is 6.9 per 100,000 and Central Bedfordshire's is 7.6.
Mr Marland said that whilst Milton Keynes's numbers are still low overall, they haven't yet reduced as much as he would like.
He added that the rise in the number of positive cases is not down to increased testing, as the number of people being tested in the past few weeks has been broadly similar.
Speaking in his weekly video address, Mr Marland said: "I really do understand that people want to get back to normal. However, we need to be very clear, that social distancing and COVID-19 prevention measures are the new normal for the forseeable future."
"The low numbers of people with the virus can and will change quickly. As we've seen in other places where the virus was thought to have been contained, cases can spike quickly and severe local lockdown measures can follow."
"If you don't follow social distancing, more people will get COVID-19, more people will get sick, and more people will die."
Key guidance includes to stay 2m apart from people if you can, wash your hands on a regular basis and not to gather in large indoor groups with more people than you are allowed.
If you have symptoms, you should stay at home and get tested. You should also stay at home if you are told to by the test and trace service.
