With Covid-19 infections continuing to fall in Stockport, Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly, has reminded residents of the importance of continued social distancing and other measures to keep the spread of the virus under control.
The borough’s top health expert advised that while reporting of new Covid-19 cases showed the infection rate of the virus has continued to fall sharply in recent weeks, 73 new infections were being reported in the borough every day and across all 21 wards.
Thanking residents for continued changes they have made to their lives due to the virus, Jennifer Connolly warned that the virus is still circulating widely in our communities. She urged Stopfordians to remember to practice social distancing guidelines, and the importance of mask wearing in shops and busy places, with the overcrowded shops typical of the run-up to Christmas offering the ‘ideal opportunity’ for the virus to begin spreading more rapidly once more.
In her full statement published on the Stockport Council website, Jennifer Connolly wrote:
Stockport is still under national restrictions until 2 December, but from 12.01am on 2 December we will again be placed in Tier 3 – Very High Alert.
We are all really pleased to see rates moving in the right direction, thank you all for the commitment you’re showing in helping to drive down our rates. We have all had changes to our lives, which are difficult, but everything we are doing to keep rates heading down is protecting each other and our loved ones.
The case rates are *175 per 100,000, are occurring in all 21 wards and we are still seeing around 73 new cases in the borough each day. The latest published data can found here. Though this is a move in the right direction, Covid-19 is still very much circulating in Stockport.
While non-essential shops will shortly be reopening, as well as gyms and swimming pools, which will provide a welcome boost to local traders as we enter the festive period, we should continue to do all we can to prevent the spread of the infection. With Christmas on the horizon, there will be a temptation to rush to the shops, but please continue to maintain social distancing (two metres), wear face coverings and wash or sanitise hands regularly. Shopping early or late in the day may also help prevent shops from becoming overcrowded – offering the ideal opportunity for the infection to spread from person to person.
We cannot yet relax because as soon as we introduce more mixing, the virus rates may escalate again. Let’s dig deep, keep the momentum going, and not allow complacency to set in. It’s about us learning to change our behaviours and doing what’s right to protect our communities. It will still take a sustained effort over a sustained period until we see the numbers fall significantly. The virus is as rife as ever, so please continue to be vigilant, do everything you can and be more cautious than ever.
We are working hard to make sure everyone understands and follows guidance to stay safe and protect vulnerable residents, particularly as we move from national restrictions to Tier 3 – Very High Alert.
You should stay at home as much as possible, including for work if able, especially if you are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. Details on restrictions can be found at GOV.UK. The council’s Coronavirus helpline and website offers help with shopping, medicine supplies, money concerns, food, housing, loneliness, caring responsibilities and help with being digitally connected. Call 0161 217 6046 from Monday – Thursday from 9.00am – 5pm and Friday from 9.00am – 4:30pm. If you’re deaf or have difficulty hearing, you can use our textphone on 07860 022 876. Find out more by visiting our helpline page.
The best way to stop transmission is by limiting direct contact with others, so do not meet with anyone not in your household or support bubble (this should be just one adult from another household), either indoors or in most outside settings until 2 December), including private gardens.
You can exercise or meet in a public, outdoor space with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person (keeping 2 metres apart) until 2 December and from then with up to six people, as this is vital for your overall health and wellbeing. From 3 December gyms and swimming pools will reopen. For information on how you might look after your health and wellbeing, please visit our Health and Wellbeing pages or for ways to remain healthy, please visit Healthy Stockport.
If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus – a new continuous cough, high temperature, or a change or loss of smell/taste – however mild, stay at home and book a test via GOV.UK or by phoning 119. You and your household members must self-isolate at home while you await your results. If you are positive, stay at home and do not go out for any reason for 10 days. Your household members must stay at home for 14 days, as they may still develop the illness. Try to minimise transmission within your home by staggering use of the bathroom, giving each person their own towel, and keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean.
If you are told to self-isolate through the NHS Covid 19 app you must follow the instruction. This tool also identifies those who have been in proximity of someone who has tested positive even if you don’t have symptoms.
The virus will spread wherever it can so avoid the 3 C’s – close contact such as hugs, closed spaces and crowds. Follow the safety guidance at your place of work and within your school or college. This will help to keep you and others safe. For information about what you can and cannot do visit GOV.UK.
*This is the latest figure for Stockport validated on 27.11.20.