A COVID outbreak at a mother and baby unit has seen 42 householders forced to self-isolate. 

Middlesbrough councillors were told that the outbreak was “ongoing” at the household of multiple occupancy in the town, at a meeting on Thursday.

It is understood there are 20 adults and 22 children at the unit which mainly hosts asylum seekers.

Esther Mireku, from the South Tees public health team, told the overview and scrutiny board there had been seven positive cases recorded at the “high risk setting” so far.

She added: “The reason why we had to keep it as one house and ask all of them to self isolate is because of the way the venue is structured. 

“It’s difficult for them to social distance as they have shared communal areas such as kitchens and toilets.”

Members also heard how the New Walk supported living hub in the town centre also saw 50 people self isolate up to February 8 after three people tested positive. 

Newport councillor Chris Cooke raised concerns about virus controls for HMOs (Houses of multiple occupancy) last year. 

He told the board many of the people who used the New Walk didn’t have apps on phones and asked how they’d be traced. 

Ms Mireku said there were measures in place with Foundations and Medics UK to make sure residents got the medication they needed – as well as outbreak control arrangements with New Walk management.

She confirmed the isolation period at the site had ended on Monday – and there had been segregation between those who tested positive and those who hadn’t (February 8). 

But Cllr Cooke said he was concerned there was exposure to the wider community.

“Someone I’m aware of, who was definitely in that facility, was definitely out in the community,” he added.

The scrutiny board was also told how Middlesbrough’s virus rate had “plateaued” in the past fortnight with the majority cases in the town among the 23 to 34-years-old age group. 

A new testing centre for asymptomatic residents in the borough opened up in Middlesbrough Sport Village, on Marton Road, this week .

Health chiefs are aiming to open similar sites at North Ormesby and Newport hubs on Monday and Tuesday next week. 

Cllr Lee Garvey asked whether extra testing had affected the flattening trend in the town.

Chief executive Tony Parkinson said Middlesbrough’s deprivation, urbanised environment and position as an “employment hub” made it more susceptible to higher positive cases than its neighbours.

He added: “I’m confident we’re doing everything we can do – I don’t think it’s because of more testing because if we look at the other authorities, they’ve gone with more extensive mass testing programmes before us.”

Council figures showed Middlesbrough rate for the seven days up to Friday stood at 319.2 cases per 100,000 population. 

NHS data showed Stockton had a rolling rate of 209.3 per 100,000 in the week to February 10, while Redcar and Cleveland (182.3) and Hartlepool (176.2) had lower figures.