PUBLIC health leaders in Warrington are thanking residents for sticking to the rules as weekly new COVID-19 cases have dropped below 600 for the first time since October – although there is still work to do.
The latest verified COVID-19 figures, for the week up to 14 November, confirm there were 599 new COVID-19 cases. This is the first time the number of weekly cases has fallen below 600 since early October.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for public health, said: “I’d like to sincerely thank everyone for playing their part and helping to control and reduce the number of cases in Warrington – but we still have a way to go.
“It’s so important to continue to stick to the rules, no matter how reassuring these latest figures are. Our hospital is still under enormous pressure, with the availability of intensive care beds still at a critical point. There are still too many people being admitted into hospital with coronavirus, at the beginning of what will be a challenging winter. We need to do all we can to reduce the strain on our hospital and to avoid losing more people to the virus.
“I want to thank all of our residents for the commitment they have shown since the national restrictions came into force earlier this month, but we still need to remain disciplined. Please make sure you are sticking to the rules, not just to protect yourself from getting ill with the virus, but to protect others you could unknowingly pass the virus on to, like grandparents or vulnerable people who could become very poorly.
“The single most important action we can all take is to continue to follow the rules and stay at home as much as possible to reduce transmission within the community.”
Director of Public Health at the council, Thara Raj, said: “Thank you to everyone who has been sticking to the rules – you have helped bring our case numbers down. Please keep going as we still have two weeks of national restrictions to go and we want our case numbers to be as low as possible.
“I would also like to thank all of Warrington’s frontline and key workers for their continued hard work. Their dedication to helping others throughout the pandemic has been amazing.
“Coronavirus is affecting everyone – from younger, seemingly healthy people, to people who may become seriously ill like the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. I know you have heard it before, but please remember the basics – hands, face, space. Washing your hands often, wearing a face covering, and maintaining social distance when you have to leave home for essential purposes. These steps are really crucial and will continue to be important even when the coronavirus vaccine is rolled out. If we all work together, we will be able to bring our case numbers under control.”
It is still mandatory to wear a face-covering in public places, so please do so if you are not exempt due to health reasons – remember they are not for yourself, but for the protection of others.
Please continue to stay at home and avoid meeting people you don’t live with, except for specific purposes. If we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection.
The national restrictions will be in force until at least Wednesday 2 December, when they will be reviewed. An update on this will be provided by government.
Further information about the restrictions, support available for residents and businesses and the latest coronavirus case numbers can be found at warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus.
If you need help or support, you can contact the council online at warrington.gov.uk/contactus or call 01925 443322.
