One more death and 79 new COVID-19 cases as Public Health leaders discuss level of local lockdown

PUBLIC Health leaders in Warrington have been in discussions with Government regarding the level of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions set to be imposed in the town as cases continue to rise, with one more death and 79 new cases reported in the town today, Sunday.

Social mixing is believed to have been the biggest cause of increased new cases along with local schools, with around 60 schools and colleges in the town now affected with more than 2,200 pupils and/or staff infected or in isolation.
As cases continue to rise, pubs and bars are expected to be told to close for up to a month along with other restrictions in a bid to slow down infection rates, which have reached a seven day average high of 96.1. Those who are vulnerable will also be told to shield again.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was today briefing his cabinet before announcing a three-tier ‘traffic light’ system which will be announced on Monday, with varying levels of lockdown measures put in place in relation to the number of cases in each area.
It is understood that as things stand large areas of the North West would come under the red light in the proposed system, where strict lockdown measures would be brought in which would see the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants and the closure of all non-essential shops. In addition to this there would be a ban on social contact in any setting outside households and the banning of organised non-professional sports. Schools, places of worship and workplaces would remain open. Warrington Public Health leaders have been in talks with Government regarding the level of restrictions to be imposed locally.
Meanwhile, a second COVID-19 related death has sadly been reported at Warrington & Halton Hospital over the weekend, with a further 79 new cases reported in the latest figures from Public Health England, with the town set to face tougher lockdown restrictions from Wednesday.
Both deaths occurred at the hospital on Friday (Oct 9) taking the death toll to six between October 6-9, with the total number of patients who have sadly died at the hospital now 152 since the start of the pandemic.
The latest figure of 79 new cases means the number of confirmed cases in Warrington since March is now 3,461 (3,382). The seven day average as of October 4 was 96.1 (94.3).
There have now been 166 (165) COVID-related deaths reported by Public Health England in Warrington, 79 per 100,000 population.
Across the UK the daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths was 65 (81), taking the total number of deaths to 42,825 (42,760).
The daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases was 12,872 (15,166), taking the total number to 603,716 (590,844).
Across the country, there are 3,837 (3,837) patients currently in hospital and 442 (442) patients in ventilator beds.
To find out more about COVID-19 testing, and to book a test if you have symptoms, visit warrington.gov.uk/get-tested-coronavirus
For the latest COVID-19 guidance for Warrington visit https://www.warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus-latest-guidance