‘Keep the momentum going’ urges Stockport Director of Public Health

Stockport Council’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly, has asked residents to ‘keep the momentum going’ and continue to reduce Covid-19 transmission rates in the borough.

In a statement on the state of the virus in Stockport, she praised residents for their efforts in adhering to the nationwide lockdown restrictions that have seen new case numbers fall in recent weeks. However, she also reminded that case numbers in Stockport still remain high and that residents should continue to stick to social distancing and other rules and guidance after the 2nd December when measures are eased in order to keep the disease under control.

Read Jennifer Connolly’s full statement below:

Stockport is still under national restrictions until 2 December.

Thank you for all your efforts so far – we understand how challenging it is for everyone who is missing contact with family and friends, and for businesses which have continued to work incredibly hard to ensure they are compliant with restrictions and covid-safe measures.

Covid-19 is still very much circulating in Stockport. The case rates are *277 per 100,000, are occurring in all 21 wards and we are still seeing around *131 new cases in the borough each day. Of ongoing concern is the number of cases in those over 60 because this correlates with a rise in hospital admissions, which are now higher than at the peak of the first wave of infection in April. The latest published data can found here.

While we’re on the right path with encouraging signs that the number of cases is slowly decreasing, this situation is far from over with rates still nearly six times higher than the national threshold for a ’high’ rate. We cannot relax because as soon as we introduce more mixing, the virus rates are likely to 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 behaviors and doing what’s right to protect our communities. It will 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 our vulnerable residents.

To limit the virus’ impact on our community you should stay at home as much as possible, including for work if possible, 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 venues, including private homes and gardens. If you do have to go out to shops for essentials, please keep your distance (two metres) and remember to wash hands regularly and wear face coverings.

You can exercise or meet in a public, outdoors 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), as this is vital for your overall health and wellbeing. 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 20.11.20.