Cheshire East Council warns not to relax as Covid-19 cases still high

Cheshire East Council warns not to relax as Covid-19 cases still high

Cheshire East Council is reminding residents that Covid-19 remains a significant risk to public health and to continue with Covid safe behaviours of 'hands, face, space and fresh air'.

Latest local Covid-19 data shows there have been 361 positive cases per 100,000 in Cheshire East in the week up to 15 September. This is significantly above the average for England of 303 per 100,000 of population.

Set against this backdrop of high local cases, the council is advising residents to follow the latest advice from Public Health England to get vaccinated, to get tested regularly and to wear a mask in busy or crowded places such as supermarkets and public transport.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council adults and health committee chair, said: "Unfortunately we are still seeing to a worrying level of positive case numbers.

"The public has been asked to take personal responsibility for wearing a mask, but we would ask them to continue to wear them, especially in shops and enclosed spaces.

"It is in all our hands now to keep life moving and play a positive part in containing the spread of the virus.'

Professor Rod Thomson, public health consultant at Cheshire East Council, said: "With a significant number of positive cases now, it's vital residents continue to take precautions and remain Covid-aware.

"Just as Covid-19 cases are still higher than we would like, public face covering wearing seems to be significantly down.

"Covid cases are rising not only among the young, 35 per cent of all cases are in the 10-19 age group, but we are also seeing a strong rise in over-40's cases too, which in turn affects hospitalisation rates, which have also increased.

"The best advice then remains to get fully vaccinated as soon as you can as this not only protects yourself but also diminishes the virus's ability to spread. This is especially important for vulnerable people who are to be offered a Covid-19 booster vaccine (from 6 months after their second doses)."

The booster vaccination programme will be rolled out to the same priority groups as previously. This means care home residents, health and social care workers, people aged over 50, those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19, adult carers, and adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals will be prioritised.

Professor Thomson continues to say: "If you have Covid-19 symptoms, then self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test. If you have no symptoms, please continue to test regularly with rapid Lateral Flow Tests which are available for free at local test sites or can be delivered direct to your home.

"We would also strongly advise people to do the things we already know help stop the spread of the virus. This means if you test positive, you won't be able to enjoy all those things we have all missed doing such as joining in with family celebrations, going on holiday, or going to sporting or music events."

The council has this week organised for a Covid-19 and winter wellbeing leaflet to be delivered to every household and business in the borough to reinforce key Covid-19 safety messages and information to help residents stay safe throughout the colder and wetter winter months.

Supported by local chambers of commerce, businesses in the borough will also be able to order an innovative Covid-19 business information toolkit to help them restart their business and help keep staff and customers as safe as possible. Business toolkits can be ordered on the council's webpage at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid19-business http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid19-business

To book or order a PCR test visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test http://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

For full information on where to get tested or pick up home testing kits visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid-testing or to order them to be delivered to your home visit www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.