Stockport Director of Public Health called for cautious approach to relaxed Covid-19 rules in light of new virus variants

With relaxation of Covid-19 rules on indoor activities, including mixing in private homes and hospitality venues, Stockport’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly has urged residents to be cautious in the coming weeks to avoid a resurgence of case numbers due to new Indian virus variants.

In her weekly statement, Jen Connolly has warned Stockport residents of the risks posed by indoor mixing, particularly given the emergence of new virus variants originating in India that are up to 50% more transmissible than those previously circulating in the UK and has already caused localised spikes in Covid-19 case numbers in Greater Manchester. With many of the borough’s residents not yet fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the Director of Public Health advised residents to weigh up the risk of increased mixing against the virus’ potential impact of the new Indian variants on the unvaccinated and continue with socially distancing.

In her full statement, Jennifer Connolly said:

Monday (17 May) marks the next step in the further easement of restrictions on the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. Full information on the government’s roadmap out of lockdown can be found here.

After not being able to see friends and family in our own homes for so long, you will be able to meet inside in a group of six or two households, as well as meet outside, including private gardens, (if space allows for social distancing) in groups of up to 30. The government has said we can hug our loved ones from 17 May. We will also be able to visit pubs and restaurants for table service inside in groups of six or two households and if you fancy a day out or a night on the town, entertainment venues such as cinemas, theatres, sports stadiums and indoor play centres will reopen. Other changes see the limit on attendees at life events such as weddings raised to 30 and funerals will have no limits on mourners apart from based on size of the venue and the ability to implement social distancing. If you’re wanting to lose some lockdown weight or get fit, adult classes will now be able to take place indoors, so please visit the Life Leisure website for details of classes here.

While this is welcome news, I would urge you to be cautious, as we come out of restrictions and mix more. We know new, more transmissible variants are emerging and spreading, especially the second Indian variant, which has now been classed as a variant of concern and has led to rises in cases of more than 90% in a week in other areas of Greater Manchester.

Coronavirus rates are already creeping up here and are currently at 33.4 cases per 100,000*, compared to 27.9 per 100,000 last week. There are around 14 new cases each day. The latest published data can be found here.

You should weigh up the risk to others of mixing more and still socially distance from those not fully vaccinated or who may be more vulnerable to serious effects of Covid. Keep up behaviour changes to stop transmission, keep rates down and protect others by social distancing (two metres), washing/sanitising hands regularly, wear a face covering (unless exempt) and keep enclosed spaces well ventilated – this means having windows open at least 15/20 minute every hour.

Further information on reducing the risk of transmission can be found here.

For peace of mind, take up the offer of universal home lateral flow testing kits, which are key to diagnosing non-symptomatic cases and by returning a result in just a few minutes will be able to tell you if you have the virus before close contact with others. Kits can be picked up from libraries and pharmacies across the borough, the Fred Perry House testing centre and the car park on Chadwick Street in Marple. . Find your nearest test centre or collection point here.

Please get your vaccination when offered. The programme continues, with 65.5% of the adult population in Stockport having received their first dose. The emphasises is now on getting people who to have their second one, with the milestone of 100,000 second doses given or 39.9% of the adult population have already received both. Do please have the second in the coming weeks, as it’s important to get both because while you get the majority of protection from the first, you get a top up and longer-term protection from the second.

Anyone aged 38 by 1 July can now book appointments via the NHS website. If you are fall into this age group or are an eligible frontline health and social care worker, clinically vulnerable or a primary carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus, you can arrange a vaccination by calling 119 or book online.

The vaccine is safe and serious side effects rare. Blood clots occur in people infected with Covid occur far more frequently. The JCVI has updated guidance to recommend that people under 40 with no underlying health conditions are offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccination due to three key things:
• Rates of Covid are much lower now
• There are alternatives available
• This doesn’t slow down progress of the vaccination programme.

Those who have already had an Astra Zeneca vaccine, even those under 40, should have AstraZeneca for their second, as there are no safety concerns about this. Please read the JCVI statement here.

Remember that if you do have symptoms: a new, continuous cough; a high temperature or loss of taste and smell, please self-isolate your entire household and get a test. You can book this test here or by calling 119. Please note that if you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus or have received a positive lateral flow test you need to get a PCR test and self-isolate until you get the result.

Lastly, I would also like to wish our Jewish residents and workers in Stockport Chag Shavuot Sameach ahead of Shavuot from Sunday to Thursday. I’d ask you please adhere to the guidance in order to keep all our communities safe from Coronavirus.

Let’s all look after one another through this next stage of the roadmap.

**This is the latest figure for Stockport validated on 14.5.21.