Will Portsmouth move from coronavirus tier two today? Everything you need to know

The government is set to review the coronavirus tier for Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.
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The three-tiered system was reintroduced on December 2 following the end of the second national lockdown.

After two weeks in the current tiers, the government will be reviewing and announcing changes to tiers across the country on Wednesday.

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Portsmouth and the rest of the local authorities in Hampshire will find out if the tier will move in the run up to Christmas.

Shoppers in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. Picture: Sarah Standing (150620-4168)Shoppers in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. Picture: Sarah Standing (150620-4168)
Shoppers in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. Picture: Sarah Standing (150620-4168)

Here’s what you need to know:

What tier is Portsmouth currently in?

Portsmouth and the rest of Hampshire have been in tier two since December 2.

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The Isle of Wight was one of the few places across the country to be put in tier one, following the end of the second lockdown.

When will changes to the tiers be announced?

The government is set to announce any changes to the current tiers on Thursday, December 17, after a review took place yesterday.

Could Portsmouth move to tier three?

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The city is currently in the ‘high’ level tier two, which means that pubs and restaurants are able to remain open – as well as meaning some fans have been allowed to return to the stands at Fratton Park.

According to the leader of Portsmouth City Council, it is currently 50/50 over whether Portsmouth will be moved up to tier three today.

On Monday The Health Secretary held a press conference on Monday to announce a number of areas that will be put in tier three, including London as well as parts of Hertfordshire and Essex, and Portsmouth was not featured in that announcement.

Broxbourne, one of the areas being moved into tier three had a rate of 446.1 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to December 10 compared to Portsmouth’s rate of 192.6 in that time frame.

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How does Portsmouth compare to tier one areas?

The only places that are in tier one currently are the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

Currently the Isle of Wight has the lowest rate in the country, with 16.1 cases per 100,000 – compared to Portsmouth’s rate of 192.6.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly has a rate of 20.6 per 100,000.

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The places with the lowest rate in Hampshire are Test Valley with 51.5 and Winchester with 53.7.

What is most likely outcome for Portsmouth?

At the moment it is 50/50 over whether Portsmouth will be put into tier three.

So it is extremely unlikely the city will be moved down to tier one.

Recently the city council posted on Twitter: ‘Confirmed cases are rising again. Local hospitals are under pressure looking after very poorly people and delivering vaccines to those who need them most.

‘Keep playing your part to control spread of infection.’

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Dr John Knighton, medical director at QA Hospital, tweeted in reply: ‘Absolutely right: our hospital is very busy, our staff are working flat out across many areas.

‘Please help prevent the spread (of Covid).’

It makes it very unlikely that we will be moved down into tier one.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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