Rutland residents have slammed the lockdown as announced by the government last night.

Some have criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for not acting fast enough, while many fear its economic consequences and say that it may not be able to stop the virus.

The public reaction follows a statement from Rutland MP Alicia Kearns that she posted on social media last night.

The MP said: "This is the national lockdown none of us wanted to see happen again, and that so many of us have worked so hard to prevent.

"Locally the situation is that Melton has seen its rate per 100,000 increase by 791% between the 7 day period ending 28 September and the latest 7 day period.

"Rutland has seen its rate per 100,000 increase by 207% between the 7 day period ending 28 September and the latest 7 day period.

"Market Harborough has seen its rate per 100,000 increase by 466% between the 7 day period ending 28 September and the latest 7 day period."

However, some residents commented on the MP's Facebook page said actual new cases were decreasing in number.

Yesterday (Saturday), according to NHS England, Rutland reported 3 new cases of Covid-19, putting it on 332 since figures were first recorded in March.

This gives the county a rate to date of 831.5 per 100,000, which is little over half the England average of 1525.1 cases per 100,000, based on its total of 858,444 cases.

In the week to yesterday, Rutland reported 40 cases, giving it a rate of 100.2 cases per 100,000. This is below half the England average rate of 229.9 cases per 100,000 based on its 129,391 cases reported over the past week.

This compares with 45 cases in the week until October 17.

However, the figures can fluctuate with 14 cases in Rutland reported on October 6 alone.

Rutland remains on 14 deaths this weekend, only recording one death in recent weeks.

Either way, Rutland continues to have one of the better records in the country, in contrast to neighbouring cities like Leicester, which has been under tougher restrictions for more than three months, in addition to the first lockdown.

Among the people responding to the MP's post on her Facebook page, Damian Ferguson said of the latest lockdown, due to be imposed from Thursday: "This needed to happen a month ago ... it could have been for two weeks.

"The evidence was clear in late September. Now we have far more lives and jobs at risk. Failure of leadership and failure of government!"

Kenneth May said: "It's basic epidemiology. Had the government acted when it was clear cases were rising fast throughout September there would've been fewer infected people around to spread the virus in turn.

"I'm afraid once again, the government's natural desire to put the economy before the science has been counterproductive and will only result in a longer and more damaging shutdown."

But John Batty said: "We could of stayed in lockdown all year and still been between a rock and a hard place. We need to break this cycle and break away from lockdown and release until the vaccine comes along.

Colin Bill Pearson warned the MP: "If you vote for measures that will destroy other's jobs, what makes you think your job will be safe?

"People may not know or realise it yet, but these measures will cause economic, social and health calamity the likes of which are simply unimaginable.

"The blame will be laid firmly at your door.

"This will be remembered at the ballot box."

Dan Husband also commented: "What is going to happen when the virus is still here after another failed lockdown?

"Other countries have also proved lockdowns don't work. A vaccine takes years to develop and test so will we have to go round in circles of numerous lockdowns for years till a vaccine is available?"