Stockport’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly, has celebrated the roll out of the UK’s largest ever vaccination programme with NHS colleagues at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust implementing the rollout of the Covid vaccine.
However while Covid-19 case numbers in Stockport are declining, decreases are beginning to plateau and the Council’s is continuing to reinforce the need for social distancing and responsible behaviour over the festive period. Jennifer Connolly’s statement in full reads:
This week we have cause for celebration as the largest ever vaccination programme our country has ever seen began, with NHS colleagues at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust implementing the rollout of the Covid vaccine. After a massive effort from the world’s scientific community, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel.
The first people to be called for vaccination will be over 80s, frontline healthcare workers and care home residents and staff. Well done to Shirley, 86, who became the first patient to have the vaccine at Stepping Hill Hospital.
As we receive more stock, further cohorts will be invited to come forward through a letter from their GP or the national NHS and I urge you all to take the vaccine. This will take many months, so be patient and do not contact the NHS to get an appointment until you receive this letter. Further information about the priority groups can be found here.
Whilst the vaccine news is certainly exceptionally welcome, we still need to do all we can to stop the circulation of the virus over the coming weeks and months. Case rates are still high at *110 per 100,000 and we are seeing around *46 new cases each day. The latest published data can be found here. The decline in numbers that we have seen over recent weeks has now slowed, case numbers this week have plateaued.
If you are planning for Christmas it’s important to think about before, during and after. The virus has an incubation period which means it can take several days for you to have symptoms yourself, after being infected. By reducing the number of chances of catching it ahead of Christmas, you are reducing your chance of being ill or spreading it to others if you are meeting up at Christmas.
If you are out Christmas shopping, maintain social distancing (two metres), wear face coverings and wash or sanitise hands regularly. Shop early or late in the day to prevent shops from becoming overcrowded – crowds offer the ideal opportunity for infection to spread.
Though allowed to meet loved ones and friends in a Christmas bubble over five days, as soon as we introduce more mixing the virus rates may escalate. We may all have to make difficult decisions about whether it wise to meet up, especially with those in vulnerable groups.
Also think ahead to late December and early January, as this will be a period of high risk for the virus to spread again. Take extra care to reduce your contacts, especially if you have enjoyed mixing with additional people over Christmas.
We must change behaviours and do what’s right to protect our loved ones and communities. Dig deep, be more cautious than ever and don’t allow complacency to set in. Avoid the 3 C’s – close contact such as hugs, closed spaces and crowds. The best way to stop transmission is by limiting direct contact with others, so don’t meet with anyone not in your household or support bubble (just one adult from another household), either indoors or in private gardens. For information about what you can and cannot do visit GOV.UK.
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 up to six people (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 14 day. 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.
*This is the latest figure for Stockport validated on 11.12.20.