The fight against coronavirus must go on until a vaccine is found, Harlow’s MP has warned.

With rising rates of infection across the country, and a second wave expected to hit this winter, MP Robert Halfon has issued a rallying cry for residents to once again do their part in slowing the spread of Covid-19.

The Conservative MP, who has represented the town since 2010, said: “I know how difficult this is for every resident, business, community group and faith group in our town. We must face the fact that the coronavirus will not go away and this fight will continue until we find a vaccine.

“In the meantime, we must all continue to follow the guidelines so that the ‘R rate’ falls below 1 and the number of new cases declines.”

There were 17 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases in Harlow between September 13 – 20.

The town, which has an approximate population of 85,000, has a current infection rate of 19.5 per 100,000 people, a long way behind the rate of 212.8 per recorded in Bolton – England’s worst affected area.

Robert Halfon added: “It looked like we had come down from the coronavirus mountain, but unfortunately, some storms are on the way. As the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser set out, we could face up to 50,000 new cases of the virus in October if we do not act now.

“If any resident has any concerns or questions, I would strongly encourage them to contact me.”

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