The West Yorkshire city of Wakefield could be identified as an “area of concern” following an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the area.
Localised outbreaks in factories have been reported and concern has grown after testing confirmed the majority of those found positive were asymptomatic.
The council said in a statement: “Further to the release of government data showing an increase in the number of cases of Covid-19, it is expected that the Wakefield district will be identified as an ‘area of concern’.”
Director of public health, Anna Hartley, said: “The increase in case numbers has resulted from two large workplace outbreaks, where workforce testing identified large numbers of asymptomatic cases.
“It is this early warning system that has identified the need for everyone to increase their efforts to tackle the spread of the virus, especially in areas of our lives where social distancing is not possible.
“Now is absolutely not the time to be complacent. We must all work together to take action and follow the simple safety advice to protect ourselves and each other.”
The council was exploring making community testing available in areas of higher concern for people who do not have symptoms, according to the public health chief.
She said: “Even though more things are starting to return to normal, the threat of Covid-19 remains a very real threat to our health and the health of our family, friends and colleagues.”
Ms Hartley advised residents to keep taking precautions including hand-washing and wearing masks in enclosed public places.
She said: “There is a growing concern that the number of people testing positive for the virus will continue to rise, and that the risk of more localised outbreaks remains – unless people take more action to reduce the spread of infection.”
Outbreaks in the area have included cases at a bed factory in Ossett and a food plant in Normanton.
Earlier this week the council confirmed 18 new positive cases at a home for asylum seekers in the city.
