Leader encourages residents to keep following guidelines as latest Covid 19 data is updated

There were 15 confirmed cases of positive Covid 19 infections in West Cheshire from 15th July to 21st July.

This current figure compares to 236 confirmed cases at the peak of the pandemic (from 27 April to 3 May) when testing was less available. The Council is monitoring the number of confirmed cases to identify trends and is supporting residents and businesses to prevent and manage any local outbreaks.

The number of positive tests in each borough is updated regularly and our data can be viewed at https://coronavirus-staging.data.gov.uk/cases?areaType=ltla&areaName=Cheshire%20West%20and%20Chester

Leader of the Council Cllr Louise Gittins is calling on residents to continue to follow public health guidance so that the number of cases remains low or decreases further.

Councillor Louise Gittins said: “In the last few weeks the number of confirmed cases has reduced across the country and this is also the situation in west Cheshire. Even though we have a small number of confirmed cases compared to the size of our population, we cannot be complacent. The virus is still out there and could accelerate quickly as it did in March. It is really important everyone remains vigilant and we adhere to public health advice and regulations.

“As we have seen with the rising number of cases in Leicester and Blackburn with Darwen, it is possible for infections to rise if we are not careful.

“People should continue to follow the public health guidance to socially distance, avoid large gatherings, and wear a face covering in shops, public buildings and public transport.  If you have symptoms of fever, a new persistent cough or loss of taste or smell, you should self-isolate and seek a test by calling 119.

“The advice for workplaces on how they can be Covid-secure provided by our public health and environmental health officers is also playing a big part in preventing the spread of this virus. Staff in the Council’s public buildings and libraries are taking visitors’ contact details so we can pass them to NHS contact tracers if required to do so. I would strongly encourage all businesses to do the same.”

The Council has published an Outbreak Management Plan which can be read on our website. This explains how we will prevent and manage local outbreaks.

We have also set up an Outbreak Management Hub. It will lead the Council’s response to any rise in cases in a specific location, or to an outbreak in a workplace or other setting which has been referred to us by NHS Test and Trace or Public Health England.

The Hub continues to contact a wide range of workplaces and other settings, to ensure they understand the risks, have carried out a risk assessment and have effective measures in place to reduce risk of the virus spreading.

We can all play our part in controlling the virus by:

• staying at home as much as possible

• working from home if you can

• limiting contact with other people

• keeping distance from people not in your household (2 metres apart where possible)

• washing your hands regularly

• only leaving home to get a test if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of a fever, a new, continuous cough, or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste.

Protect yourself and your family and friends by getting a coronavirus test if you have symptoms by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus. Protect your community by then self-isolating for 14 days if you have symptoms or if alerted to do so by a contact tracer.