BRADFORD'S health chief says the Council is "continuously" reviewing its response to Covid-19 as infection rates remain "stubborn". 

Latest analysis shows Bradford has the second highest rate in England, recorded the highest number of new cases in the country in the seven days to April 11 and saw one of the biggest week-on-week rises. 

Sarah Muckle, Bradford Council's Director of Public Health said it is recognised as an "area of stubborn and enduring transmission" and added: "We have always been concerned that this has meant our rates have remained high and throughout the pandemic have reduced slower than other areas".

She said: "Our high levels of infection are down to a number of factors including the high number of the people in the district employed in key worker roles, larger households where the virus can spread more easily among family members and Bradford having a young population, many of which are yet to be vaccinated because the Government has said they are not yet old enough to be vaccinated.

“We are continuously reviewing our response and asking national Government to work with us to reduce the spread of the virus as fast as possible. We continue to review our Covid testing programme so that it remains accessible to all and we continue to encourage everyone to be tested with or without symptoms so that we have the best chance of maintaining the spread of the virus.  

"We have increased self-isolation payments and support to make it as easy as we can for people to isolate at home when needed.

"Finally, we know how important the vaccine is and we continue to work with our NHS colleagues to promote it and encourage uptake. 

"We would like to see Bradford getting a high number of vaccinations so that we can accelerate the roll-out to younger age groups.”