Stockport Director of Public Health shares Covid-19 hygiene advice as case rates in the borough approach highest ever levels

Rates have risen rapidly, are getting higher and almost at our highest ever level over the pandemic. They are currently at *510.9 per 100,000, or 214.1 per day. You can see the latest published data online.

Clearly, Covid is still here and has not gone away, so it’s more important than ever to remember the basic things we can all do to stop transmission, especially with the winter illness season also imminent. While not mandatory, face coverings help to reduce transmission risk; this can be particularly helpful in enclosed spaces. Good room ventilation also plays an important role. Though the weather is getting worse, try to keep enclosed spaces well ventilated by opening windows regularly. Also, keep socially distanced from other people you don’t live with when you are able to; meeting outdoors will also help. Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue/handkerchief or your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Remember to wash and sanitise hands regularly.

The rate is especially high in the 10-19 age group which covers secondary school age children, with rates more than four times higher than those of the next highest age group.

Please have your secondary school child continue to do lateral flow tests twice a week to help detect any cases with no or very mild symptoms who may pass on the illness unknowingly. Tests are free and available online, or from your local pharmacy or library or from the testing site at Fred Perry House. Isolating is you are positive is essential in breaking the chain of transmission.

Following advice from the Chief Medical Officers regarding vaccination of young people, we have also started the vaccination programme in local schools for 12-15-year-olds; the programme will run until Friday, 19 November, with a break for half term.

If you have received an invitation letter and consent form by your child’s school, please return it as soon as possible. Invitation letters may go out at different times, so don’t worry if you haven’t heard from your school just yet, as they are being sent out in phases.

For those pupils unable to have their vaccination in school, including those who are home schooled, a dedicated vaccination clinic will take place during half term, with details to follow later.

Parents would like more information can download a useful document with guidance. A useful guide has also been published on gov.uk for children and young people aged 12-15 as well as a leaflet on what children can expect after their Covid vaccination.

From this week, young people aged 16 plus can book a vaccination through the national booking line website or by calling 119. Those aged 50 and over, frontline health and social care workers, or anyone aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk from COVID-19, can also book if they have been contacted by their GP about having a booster jab if it has been at least six months since their second vaccination.

The vaccine programme continues with 85% of everyone aged 16+ in Stockport now having received their first dose of the vaccine, and 79.7% of those aged 16+ having received both doses. If you haven’t yet had both doses of your vaccine, book yours online or walk-in to Trinity Church, Bramhall Lane, SK3 8TP, every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. It really is important to get your protection from the vaccine.

Sadly, recently there has been a spike in scams around the NHS Covid Passes. Criminals are using the NHS COVID Pass to target the public by convincing them to hand over money, financial details and personal information. They are sending imitation text messages, emails, making phone calls and creating fake websites pretending to be from the NHS, and offering fake vaccine certificates for sale online and through social media.

If you are contacted about your NHS COVID Pass:

• Be alert to links and attachments in unexpected text messages or emails
• Do not respond to requests for money, passwords or financial details
• Challenge: Could it be fake?
• Use the official NHS COVID Pass website or app.

Remember:

1. The NHS App is FREE
2. The NHS COVID PASS is FREE
3. The NHS will NEVER ask for payment or any financial details.

The NHS COVID Pass is available to demonstrate your COVID-19 status either in a digital or paper format via the NHS App, the NHS website or by calling 119.

For information on how to get your free NHS COVID Pass, visit the NHS website.

If you receive a call and suspect it to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. If you are suspicious about a text message, forward it to the number 7726, which is free-of-charge. If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible or calling 0300 123 2040. If you have any information relating to NHS COVID Pass or vaccine certificate fraud you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers online at or on 0800 587 5030.

It is also advisable to continue to take a rapid LFD test twice weekly to help reduce COVID-19 spread and protect others around you. You should only do a lateral flow test if you do not have symptoms and have not been contacted by NHS Test and Trace. If you have a new, persistent cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell, please take a PCR test, which are available to order online. If you are a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should take a PCR test rather than a lateral flow test, even if you have no symptoms, although you may no longer need to self-isolate (if you’re doubly vaccinated plus two week, or under 18 and 6 months, or have another exemption).

Remember, if you test positive it is essential to self-isolate for 10 days. Information on support during self-isolation can be found on our website. If you need to self-isolate and aneed support, please phone our Coronavirus helpline on 0161 217 6046 You can also visit our website for more information on where to find help if you’re a vulnerable person.