POLITICIANS and police chiefs have urged Bromsgrove residents to take the new national coronavirus lockdown seriously to prevent more lives being lost to the disease.

All areas in Worcestershire have seen a significant rise in coronavirus cases since Christmas, Public Health bosses say.

There were 486 positive cases confirmed in Bromsgrove in the week immediately after Christmas, between Boxing Day and New Year's Day - and eight deaths.

It is the highest number of weekly cases recorded in the district although widespread testing was not available during the first wave of the pandemic last spring.

The rise was reflected in the national figures, leading Prime Minister Boris Johnson to introduce a new national lockdown similar to last March's, including the closure of schools.

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid issued a grave warning to his constituents about the contagious new strain of the disease following Mr Johnson's announcement.

"I spoke with leaders from our local health services today about the huge pressure that rising infection rates are putting on the NHS," Mr Javid said.

"We must do all we can to tackle the new variant of this horrible virus. Please: stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."

West Mercia Police Chief Constable Anthony Bangham warned residents that officers would take action against anyone found flouting the rules.

As with the first lockdown, people must only leave their home for essential duties such as work - if they cannot work from home - shopping and exercise.

Chief Constable Bangham said: “Over the last year the vast majority of people in our communities have kept to the rules and I am confident that they will continue to do so through this new phase of the pandemic.

“West Mercia Police will continue to be visible across our villages, towns and cities working with our partners to do all we can to prevent the spread of the virus.

"As the public would expect, we will respond firmly, but fairly, using all the powers available to us to take action against those people that flout the laws and knowingly put others at risk.

“Policing across West Mercia will continue unabated throughout the lockdown and as the Prime Minster outlined yesterday help is available to anyone whose home is not a safe place to be. We would like to emphasise that we are still here for you 24/7.”

Worcestershire's infection rate reached 287.2 per 100,000 people in the week up to December 29 - the most recent data available on the government website.

But figures released by Worcestershire's Public Health team show the infection rate has since risen to 317, showing an even sharper rise since Christmas.

The director for Public Health in Worcestershire says people's behaviour over the Christmas period have "directly resulted" in the county recording its highest Covid-19 infection rate since the pandemic began last March.

In the latest seven days, Worcestershire has seen 1,888 positive Covid-19 cases, which is more than all positive cases seen during May, June, July, August and September combined.

Bromsgrove remains the district with the highest infection rate at 400 per 100,000, although Public Health bosses say every area has seen a significant increase since Christmas.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, the director for Public Health for Worcestershire, said: “ The rising figures are concerning and we are clearly seeing a deteriorating picture across our county.

"The surge in cases is a direct result of our behaviours over Christmas, through people mixing and seeing others, the virus has been spreading."