Director of Public Health outlines new self-isolation rules

Stockport’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly, has used her weekly statement on the coronavirus to outline the changes to self-isolation rules that have come into effect from today (Monday 17th January).

In her statement, she said:

From Monday 17 January, people whether vaccinated or unvaccinated will have the option to reduce their isolation period if they test negative on tests taken 24 hours apart on both day 5 and day 6 and do not have a temperature.

Those who are still positive on their lateral flow tests must stay in isolation until they have had two consecutive negative tests on separate days, so if an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on days 6 and 7 before they can be released.

In further changes, this week new testing guidance came into force both domestically and for those returning from abroad.

Since Tuesday, 11 January, people who receive positive lateral flow results will be required to self-isolate immediately but won’t have to take a confirmatory PCR test. Please make sure that you report your positive lateral flow test.

However, you will still need a confirmatory PCR if:

– You are eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP).
– You are participating in research or surveillance programmes
– You are one of around one million people in England at particular risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 who have been identified by the NHS as being potentially eligible for new treatments.

In addition, since Monday the Government has started providing 100,000 critical workers with free daily lateral flow tests to help keep essential services and supply chains running. The full range of critical workers have been identified and organisations will be contacted, so check with your employer.

Remember, if you are symptomatic you will still need to book a PCR test.

Also, in further travel guidance, anyone arriving after 4am on 9 January will have to take an LFT test (booked before travel) and if positive will need to take a confirmatory PCR test.

Free LFD tests are available online, at many local libraries, Stockport pharmacies and at Fred Perry House. Check if people you live with need to self-isolate.

Information about the support available for self-isolation periods can be found here. You can also phone our Coronavirus helpline on 0161 217 6046 or visit our website for information on where to find help if you’re a vulnerable person.

The Director of Public Health also used her statement to update on the current Covid-19 situation in the borough:

In Stockport Covid cases remain very high and rates are currently at 1,605.5* per 100,000 or around 673 per day, however this is likely to be a severe undercount as rates are only recorded for first time cases at the moment. The number of patients in hospital with Covid is high and, sadly, there have been 12 deaths in the past week. See the latest published data online.

There have been more cases of Omicron in the last five weeks, 12,936, than of the Delta variant in the previous six months. This shows just how transmissible the Omicron variant is, so it’s really important to stick with changes that reduce the spread. Please continue to work from home if able, wear face coverings in enclosed spaces if age 11 or over unless exempt (now mandatory in most public indoor settings), stay at home if you feel unwell and use the NHS Covid Pass to enter certain venues. Also remember to wash your hands regularly, and ventilate indoor spaces well by opening windows – five to 10 minutes every hour helps.

If spending time with households you would not normally see, especially with those in older or in vulnerable groups at higher risk of severe illness, take a Lateral Flow Device rapid test beforehand and report your result. You can order online, pick up from your local pharmacy or library or access the testing centre at Fred Perry House: book an appointment. Check if the people you live with need to self-isolate.

Jennifer Connolly also provided an update on the vaccine and booster jab rollout in the borough:

Since yesterday (13 January) until February half term, 12–15-year-olds can get their second dose in school 12 weeks after their first. Parents can also book online on the National Booking Service, or by calling 119. If you have any queries, contact the School Nursing Service on 0161 474 5912. Children can also contact a text-based service, ChatHealth, on 07480 635 227, where they can chat with a school nurse for confidential advice and support.

We have strong uptake of the vaccine across Stockport – 96.5% of those aged 70 plus, 94% of those aged 50 plus, 86.9% of those aged 18 plus and 86.4% of those aged 16 plus have received their first dose. Also, 56% of healthy 12–15-year-olds have had a first. Also, 96.1% of those aged 70 plus, 93.1% of those aged 50 plus, 84.3% of those aged 18 plus and 83.3% of those aged 16 plus. In addition, 93.6% of the 70 plus population, 87.1% of the total 50 plus population, 68.1% of the total 18 plus population have had a booster.

The best thing that you can do to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated and boosted as protection from the first and second vaccination decreases over time and the booster helps reduce your chances of getting symptomatic infection and safeguard against severe disease and death.

If it’s three months since your second dose and you are over 18, you should get your booster. You don’t need your NHS number, but it can speed the process up. Find out yours from the NHS website. Book via the national booking system, by calling 119 or visiting a walk-in centre. Full details of all places to get a vaccination in Stockport can be found on the CCG website.

There are also 2 walk-in centres offering first, second and booster vaccinations:

One Stockport Hub, Mersey Square

– open 10am to 3pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Trinity Methodist Church, 351 Bramhall Lane, SK3 8TP

– Open 8am – 6pm, 7 days a week
– Walk-in appointments or bookable appointments via the national booking system.

From 13 January until February half term, 12–15-year-olds will be able to get their second dose 12 weeks in school. Parents can also book online on the National Booking Service, or by calling 119 for free. If you have any queries, contact the School Nursing Service on 0161 474 5912. Children can also contact a text-based service, ChatHealth, on 07480 635 227, where they can chat with a school nurse for confidential advice and support.

Finally, in further travel guidance, since 4am today (7 January), fully vaccinated travellers returning to the UK no longer have to take a PCR test before travel or quarantine on arrival. You still need to take a pre-booked PCR test on arrival. Then, anyone arriving after 4am on 9 January will have to take an LFT test (booked before travel) and if positive will need to take a confirmatory PCR test.