Leeds United and Patrick Bamford praised by council for help in Covid response as Elland Road vaccination centre set to open

The council held a media briefing this morning to update the city on the latest Covid data in our area.

Responding to a question from the Yorkshire Evening Post, council leader Judith Blake and chief executive Tom Riordan praised the efforts of Leeds United in supporting the vaccination program.

Judith Blake, council leader, said she understands the vaccination centre would be moving towards opening to the general public from next week at Elland Road - having focused on the frontline workers up to this point.

She said: "I pause because you mention Leeds United being in the Premier League and it takes my breath away slightly to be able to acknowledge that fact.

"Other football clubs have [also] been stepping up and offering their facilities.

"I can't thanks Leeds United enough, they are fantastic.

"They are very proud that they are able to contribute to the massive vaccination program across the city."

Mr Riordan said the club's players had been "brilliant" in putting across messages in response to the Covid pandemic.

Patrick Bamford was singled out by the chief executive as a player involved in helping the program through positive messaging.

He said: "The players have been brilliant in helping us with the messaging.

"For example, Patrick Bamford has been giving really strong messages out about continuing to follow the restrictions."

"We will continue to work [with Leeds United] on that, the club has been fantastic", Mr Riordan added.

It was also revealed that three quarters of the cases in the city are the new Kent variant of the virus - while the 100,000 vaccinations milestone has now been passed in the city, the council said.

Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said: “We know in Leeds that around three quarters of our cases of Covid now are the UK Kent variant. That is an estimate."

Council leader Judith Blake revealed 100,000 people in Leeds have now had their first dose of the Covid vaccine, the council believe.

She added: "What an achievement.

"It gives us all hope."

Chief executive Tom Riordan said the case rate in the city was on a "downward trend" but it was revealed to be slower than previous lockdowns.

The council believe positive changes to the death and case rates may come towards the middle of this month following the comprehensive vaccinations program.

Mr Riordan: "The case rate is on a downward trend.

"We need everyone in the city to go along with the rules and stay in unless it is essential.

"Even if you have had the vaccine… we need everybody to act as if they may pass it on to someone else.

"The city is in an increasingly good position.

"The case rate is reducing, we just need to keep this going.

“The vast majority are following the rules.”

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