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Stockport Council’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly, has used her weekly statement on the coronavirus pandemic to urge people to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster jabs in response to rising case numbers of the Omicron virus variant.
All the Directors of Public Health across Greater Manchester have issued a joint statement on the situation in the city-region. Jennifer Connolly shared the current data for Stockport:
“The changes in response to the Omicron variant at this time may be causing a great deal of uncertainty and worry.
“The rises in cases rates are stark and we have already seen Omicron rise to account for 40% of our cases. This brings our case rate to 714 per 100,000, rising sharply. We know this is a more transmissible variant and we don’t yet know if it’s going to be less severe but either way the fact that it is more easily spread mean that it poses a big threat. It is disappointing and frustrating to be back in this situation, but once again vaccination, and sensible steps to reduce spread, give us hope to come through this.”
In response to the sharply rising case numbers in Stockport and nationwide, the borough’s public health chief also echoed the national campaign to ensure residents get their booster vaccinations against Covid-19. Jennifer Connolly said:
The government announced on Sunday (12th December) a drive to get all adults eligible their booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year. This is due to the increasing spread of the Omicron variant across the country. I’d like to thank everyone in Stockport who has been involved in increasing the booster roll out over the past week: the effort has been really impressive.
If it’s been 3 months since your second dose of the vaccine, and you are over 18, you should now come forward to get your booster dose. The booster vaccine offers our best protection against Omicron and other variants of the virus. The reason you need a booster is because your protection from your first and second vaccination decreases over time and is less effective when it comes to preventing you getting infected with Omicron, so you need to be ‘topped up’ to maximise your immunity against COVID-19. This both increases the effectiveness of preventing you getting symptomatic infection, and also further increases the protection you’ll have against severe disease and death.
Remember, it’s not too late to come forward for either your first or second dose of the vaccine. Just book via the national booking system or visit your local walk-in centre, we’d be really pleased to welcome you for your jab. You don’t need to know your NHS number, but it can speed the process up when you visit a walk-in centre. Find out yours here. There are lots of opportunities to get your first, second or booster jab in Stockport. For full details, see the CCG website. You can book online, or by calling 119 for free, where you’ll be offered lots of local options.
Walk-in centres in Stockport are offering first, second and booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine without an appointment 7 days a week (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day) through to the end of year. From 20th December, 12-15 year olds will also be able to get their second dose of the vaccine, with parents able to book online or by calling 119.
One Stockport Hub – Mersey Square
- Open 10am – 3pm everyday up to New Year’s Eve except, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
- 10am – 12pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
- Walk-ins only
- Walk-in vaccines for 12-15 year olds on 20th, 21st and 22nd December.
Trinity Methodist Church – 351 Bramhall Lane, SK3 8TP
- Open 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week
- Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
- Walk-in appointments or bookable appointments via the national booking system
In the approach to the festive season, Jennifer Connolly reiterated the importance of regular lateral flow testing to identify asymptomatic cases that could spread Covid-19 at larger events as well as the importance of face coverings, now mandated under ‘Plan B’ measures in most indoor settings; she said:
In terms of the Christmas period, England’s Chief Medical Officer has advised caution and asked people to prioritise the events they are attending. If you are attending any Christmas parties or events, please make sure you take a lateral flow test before attending. You can order the tests for free online, or pick them up from your local pharmacy or library. We know there have been some challenges in getting hold of these this week, but we are informed that supplies should be improved from this weekend. You can also access the testing centre at Fred Perry House: book an appointment here. Please make sure you use up any tests you have in your home before ordering new ones, to allow everyone who needs one to access a test.
There has been some confusion as to when to take each type of test. Broadly, lateral flow tests (LFTs) are usually for people without symptoms. You should take LFT tests before you head to any events or see family or friends who are at risk. You should also take an LFT every day for 7 days if you have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive. If it’s positive you need to isolate and book a PCR.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, such as a dry and persistent cough, high temperature or a loss of taste and smell, you should get a PCR test. These can be ordered or booked online. You should also get a PCR test if you have a positive LFT result. You should isolate until you get the result of your PCR test, and if positive isolate for 10 days. Check if the 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.
We remain under ‘Plan B’ measures to help stop the spread of Omicron across the UK. As a reminder, this means that everyone is advised to work from home where possible. If you’re an employer or manager, please ensure you’re enabling staff to do so wherever this is technically possible.
Face coverings (unless exempt) are now mandatory in most indoor settings, including in shops, on public transport, in theatres and cinemas. From 15th December, COVID passes will be required for entry into nightclubs and large venues where crowds gather, such as sports stadiums or gigs. You can get your COVID pass by downloading the NHS app, where you’ll need to show proof of having two vaccinations or a negative LFT taken in the last 48 hours.
Jennifer Connolly concluded her statement by sharing a link to a number of support measures to help Stockport residents deal with any mental health challenges they may be experiencing as a result of rising Covid-19 case numbers. She said:
Finally, I’d like to remind all residents that it’s understandable to be finding things tough at the moment. If you need any support, there are a number of offers available to you – please check out the full list available here.
I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas.