Along with many parts of the country, we are regrettably seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases in Nottingham - they have doubled over the last week to 80.2 per 100,000. Clearly we want to halt this rise but it?s worth noting that this remains low compared to many cities our size, thanks to the fact that most people living in Nottingham are following the correct behaviours and playing their part in keeping our city safe.

With the large number of students arriving at our two universities ? increasing the size of our local population by around 40,000 ? a corresponding increase in Covid-19 cases in Nottingham was to be expected. However, we are working with partners including the two universities and Nottinghamshire Police to ensure we take the right precautions.

Community Protection Officers and police officers will always engage, explain and encourage first, but when breaches in the Covid rules occur, such as breaking the Rule of Six, breaching the 10pm curfew in pubs and bars, gathering in the streets and overcrowding buses and trams, they will take appropriate action. Anyone putting other people?s lives in danger by deliberately flouting the rules can expect to be fined.

Wearing a face covering is particularly important, as many people who contract the virus do not know they have it. Covid spreads by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking and if you don?t know you have the virus you can easily unknowingly pass it on. By wearing a face covering, you are protecting others and by other people wearing one they are protecting you. Please ensure that you wear a face covering on public transport, in shops and in other public spaces.??

These are challenging times for everyone, young and old, in all parts of our city. We are reaching a critical point in managing the spread of the virus as we head towards winter. Now is the time for everyone to help our city - we all have a role to play in this. There is no vaccine for Covid at present. The only defence we have is to maintain social distance, follow the Rule of Six, wear a face covering and wash our hands.

This week sees the start of Black History Month, which will be marked in Nottingham with a range of mainly online events and activities bringing people from across the city together.

Black History Month has been celebrated nationally every October since 1987. It?s a chance to celebrate and recognise the contribution that African and African-Caribbean people have made to Nottingham and the UK over the many hundreds of years they?ve been a part of the country?s social fabric.

Council colleagues and partners across the city have put together a really good programme of events - find out how you can take part in Black History Month in Nottingham

Rogue traders are using the Covid crisis to con innocent people out of their money. Rogue trading ranges from poor quality work, high pressure sales to organised crime gangs. Conmen routinely go door-to-door pretending to be sales people and offering cheap home improvement services or other products. Often this starts out as charming and friendly, but they can be very difficult to get rid of. We have been working hard to drive rogue traders out of Nottingham for many years now, and it?s dreadful that conmen have ramped up their efforts to trick local people off the back of the current global pandemic.

Find out more about how to spot Doorstep Crime and Rogue traders and how to report suspicious activity.