Cheshire East Council is warning residents the pandemic isn't over following a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases recently.
Latest figures released on the official UK government website (21st March) show the rate of positive cases in Cheshire East has risen to 843 per 100,000 population. The rate per 100,000 population in the North West is 642 and 780 in England.
The current estimate for the 'R number' in the North West is 1.1 – 1.4 (19th March 2022). This means that, on average, 10 infected people will transmit the infection to 11 to 14 other people.
81.3 per cent of all positive Covid-19 cases are of the new BA.2 Omicron variant, which is shown to be far more transmissible.
Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: "The rise in positive Covid-19 cases recently not only in Cheshire East but in neighbouring areas, is worrying, although not wholly surprising since restrictions have ended in England.
"Looking at the recent surge in cases across the borough in all age groups, it is clear the pandemic is far from over.
"Sadly, we are also seeing an increase in hospitalisations for people with Covid-19, which is creating additional pressures, especially in our local hospitals.
"Residents should continue to follow the latest Covid-19 safety advice including self-isolating if you develop covid symptoms or test positive, washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, and unless exempt, wearing a face mask in busy, crowded indoor places, especially in healthcare settings."
Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "Positive Covid-19 cases were falling right up until the beginning of this month.
"Over the period 15 to 21 March we have seen a 46.7 per cent rise in cases – that's an increase of 1,145 residents testing positive in Cheshire East over the past seven days.
"I am also concerned about government funding not being renewed for the Covid Zoe project run by King's College London, as well as a reduction of £440m for test & trace programmes and public health teams which have been working so effectively on infection control. These cuts do not appear to have come at a good time.
"We look after each other by staying safe and it really is in our hands to do all we can to reduce this latest rise of Covid-19 cases."
For all the latest information on Covid-19 testing, vaccinations, support, and guidance, please go to the council's webpages at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid19
Comments
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This is good news for individuals and understandably influences individual perception of risk and attitude towards seemingly unnecessary precautions.
But it is still a very widespread virus, with relatively high hospitalisations - a recent figure of 14,000 Covid patients in hospital (irrelevant whether or not they have other conditions) exceeds hospitalised flu patients (also irrelevant if they have other conditions).
This is not good news for all those who require hospital treatment for a vast range of other conditions. No amount of bluster about "my strong immune system and my low risk of dying from Covid" will help someone who cannot receive prompt hospital attention for say a crushed leg...
Then because there are so many Covid patients in hospitals, the chances of picking it up whilst in poor health from another condition are significant. Sadly many die in hospital not from their primary condition, but other bugs acquired whilst their once proudly boasted immune systems are compromised.
Learning to live with it means all of us wearing a mask and maintaining distances in most crowded indoor settings while still observing good hygiene, especially during spikes.
It's about everyone doing their bit as fully as possible, not people picking & choosing what they will & won't do - i.e. follow the actual science and not the wishes & Incompetent leadership of a supposed fweedom-loving govt.
Zero Covid policies have not worked in Australia, New Zealand or China. They are repressive and damaging to our societies and some advice is just plain daft. FEMA in the United States had published guidance during the pandemic and advised people that in the event of a Nuclear attack and imminent atrack alerts issued that if folk were seeking shelter in public spaces to wear masks and keep their distance to protect themselves against Covid. That is fact look it up. I lived through World War 2 and the Cold War and whilst Covid is still here and we should take measured non hysterical precautions the world is facing much bigger existential threats now.
I enjoy your posts - they are like a roller-coaster ride. One moment I'm riding high in accord with you and the next plummeting into screaming disagreement.
Our son lives in New Zealand and we haven't been able to see him in well over two years due to their stringent lockdown rules. You say that their policies have failed - I would take strong issue with you. In actual fact, New Zealand have been immensely successful in seeing the threat early on, taking swift and decisive action in completely locking down and protecting their population whilst getting them vaccinated.
Covid is now rife in NZ but it it is unlikely to cause serious illness or death because of the protection afforded by the vax programme.
Success or failure will ultimately be judged by the number of deaths and those suffering serious long term illness, not by the relatively minor inconveniences that we have endured in order to protect ourselves.
Swab tests suggest about one in every 16 people is infected, as the contagious Omicron variant BA.2 continues to spread.
That's just under 4.3 million people, up from 3.3 million the week before.
The figures for the week ending 19 March, are thought to give the most accurate reflection of what's happening with the virus in the community.