People in Liverpool are being urged to continue to exercise caution about the spread of Covid-19 after it was revealed the Indian variant has been found to be circulating in neighbouring Sefton, as well as in Bolton and Blackburn.
Although case numbers in the city are low, residents are being asked to continue to follow rules around social distancing, face coverings and handwashing as there is some evidence it is more symptomatic.
People who are going to work or mixing with others are advised to get themselves tested regularly using home testing kits or at one of the city’s symptom-free test centres, and also get the vaccine when they are called.
In addition, if people develop symptoms, it is essential that people book for a PCR test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test as soon as possible.
Director of Public Health Matthew Ashton said: “Case numbers have dropped dramatically in Liverpool as a result of people following the guidance combined with the vaccine rollout, and remain under 20 per 100,000 people, which is great news.
“However, we have seen before how quickly they can rise from a very low base and therefore it is really important that we remember that Covid has not suddenly gone away – all we have done is brought it back under control.
“The virus does not respect local authority borders so we are mindful that as people are travelling more there is the potential for the Indian variant to easily spread into Liverpool.
“We still have large swathes of the population who have not yet been vaccinated and have no protection, while even those who have had it can still pass it on without knowing – which is why we all need to be cautious to help reduce the spread, particularly as restrictions are further eased from Monday 17 May.”
Anyone with a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell, should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
