Wiltshire’s public health boss says that Tier 2 is the right level of coronavirus restrictions for the county - and that if she had her way, Tier 1 rules would only kick in once the virus had been driven right down.

The Government announced last week Wiltshire would face Tier 2 local rules after England's national lockdown ends on Wednesday (December 2).

The rising number of Covid-19 cases in the county proved a concern, said director of public health in Wiltshire, Kate Blackburn.

But she also said she would prefer the county's case rate reduced to practically nothing before more relaxed Tier 1 rules were considered.

However, this decision is ultimately out of her hands.

Here's a summary of what the county's health boss said in a briefing on Tuesday (December 1):

Tier 2 rules 'absolutely' right and 'no surprise'

“It’s no surprise we were put into Tier 2,” she said.

“Even though our cases are starting to reduce, Tier 2 will provide an opportunity to get those cases down further.

“I was asked last week if I thought we were put in the right tier. I absolutely do.

“I absolutely feel Tier 2 is where we need to be in order to keep getting case rates down.”

Why Tier 1 could be some way off for Wiltshire

Ms Blackburn added that she was not confident the restrictions in Tier 1 would help keep case rates low.

She also said she would want to see dramatic improvements before Wiltshire moved out of Tier 2.

She said: “I would want our case rate to be pretty much zero if we were to go into Tier 1 if I’m honest but those are set nationally.”

'We're all people'

The Swindon and Wiltshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership reported an increase in the number of hospital admissions seen across the county - which Ms Blackburn says is another reason that Wiltshire will benefit from its current category.

However, she did sympathise with families over the restrictions.

She said: “I do know how tough it is for people not to see as many friends and family."

“We’re all people. We’re all humans and we all know how that feels.”

She added that as we head towards Christmas that it is vital residents continue to follow the rules.

Latest Wiltshire coronavirus figures

Ms Blackburn confirmed that there have been 5,034 positive Covid cases in Wiltshire since the pandemic began and 397 in the last seven days.

This represents a significant reduction in the number of positive cases in the county from last week.

The infection rate in Wiltshire now stands at 79.4 – while last week it was 137 – far lower than the England average of 167.8.

Ms Blackburn said: “I’m hoping that case rate will continue to go down because the data is a few days behind what we’re actually seeing.

"I’m very hopeful that will continue to go down.”

Since last week there have been five registered deaths in Wiltshire with Covid-19 on the death certificate.

The mortality rate in Wiltshire now stands at 76 per 100,000 people where the national rate is 101.