Coronavirus: 14 die in Peterborough hospital in a city where COVID-19 rules on social distancing come under scrutiny

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

A poll conducted in Peterborough last week found that 95 per cent of people agreed that police should get tougher on implementing social distancing rules.

Responding to an online poll in which 1,000 people took part, the question was asked whether police should fine or arrest people breaking coronavirus social distancing rules in Peterborough.

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Only in the most serious cases was the response of 43 per cent whilst the majority –52 per cent – answered ‘every time’.

Photographer Terry Harris was in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, on Sunday and his portfolio of images showed social distancing was clearly not being observed.

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Arguably there were many workers queuing for a bus, but the overall impression was of the rules being only modestly adhered to.

Yesterday (Monday) Terry went back into the city centre for a brief glimpse of lockdown and social distancing,

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

He felt worst offenders were cyclists “who just stream through seemingly ignoring anyone they encounter”.

He also thought people walking through queues presented an issue – and people getting too close to those trying to withdraw money from cash machines.

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Hospital bosses confirmed today (Tuesday) that since March 24, there have been 23 deaths from coronavirus in Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon.

Caroline Walker, chief executive of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I can confirm that sadly, a total of 23 patients being cared for in our Trust have passed away since we began reporting Covid-19-related deaths.

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

“There have been nine at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and fourteen at Peterborough City Hospital. Patients were aged 30 to 90 years old and had pre-existing health conditions. They had all tested positive for COVID-19.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time.”

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

City centre is busy as people still dont appear to social distance.,City Centre, PeterboroughMonday 06 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)

Crowds forming at Bus stops,Lincoln Road, PeterboroughSunday 05 April 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. (Image: © Terry Harris)