Stockport Council’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly, has asked Stockport residents to ‘dig deep’ and continue doing their part to tackle high rates of Covid-19 in the borough.
While the increase in Covid-19 rates has begun to slow, Jennifer Connolly has urged residents to continue complying with the national lockdown, as well taking further steps beyond what is within the regulations. She says:
The best way to prevent the transmission is to act like you have the virus, so we must all try to restrict our contacts with people outside our households or social/childcare bubble as much as we can. If able to work from home do so. Though you may legally be allowed out for essentials, think about limiting your shopping to once a week only or try to get a delivery slot. Get a takeaway delivered rather than collecting it. Think about exercising on your own, rather than with your support bubble or one other person allowed.
“We must also be even more vigilant and scrupulous about our infection control and hygiene, as it’s estimated that one in three people who have coronavirus don’t show any symptoms. Please do not enter enclosed spaces without a mask (unless exempt) and wash and santise your hands regularly and stay in well ventilated places – if you’re inside this means having the windows open for at least 15/20 minute every hour. Also please try to maintain two metres distance between you and other people, wherever possible. It’s a much wider distance than we often imagine so please picture, for instance, the height of a standard interior door and try to keep as far away as that from other people around you when out for essential trips. This will help to keep you and others safe.”
As of 15th January, case rates are now at 394 per 100,000, with around 165 new cases being reported each day. Covid-19 rates remain highest among younger age groups and working age adults, with cases across all wards in the borough.
Both the Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are both now being distributed in Stockport, with care home residents in Gatley among the first recipients of the newly approved Oxford vaccine. Jennifer Connolly said:
Last week the first patients to receive an Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccination in the borough were care home residents in Gatley. With this vaccine more easily stored and moved, all seven of our Primary Care Network vaccination sites will be open by the end of this week and the vaccination centre at the Ethiad in Manchester now operational, the vaccination programme will continue at pace. Vaccinations also continue at the Stepping Hill Hospital hub. As the programme is expanded to include more people, please take up the offer. Details of priority cohorts can be found here. You will receive an invite from the NHS so please do not call in the meantime.”
The Director of Public Health concluded her statement by reinforcing the current lockdown restrictions, and reiterating the measures to take upon experiencing any of the three tell-tale symptoms of coronavirus: a new continuous cough, high temperature or change in sense of taste or smell. She said:
You may still 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), as this is vital for 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 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 while you await your results. If found positive, stay home for 10 days. Household members must stay at home for 10 days. Minimise transmission within your home by staggering use of the bathroom, giving each person their own towel, and keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean.
“If told to self-isolate through the NHS Covid 19 app you must follow the instruction.
“The council’s Coronavirus helpline and website can be accessed on 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.”