Residents urged to protect themselves as Covid cases rise

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North Somerset residents are being urged to keep themselves and those around them safe as coronavirus case rates rise locally and across the region, while the council's deputy leader calls on the government to introduce stronger measures. 

North Somerset's infection rate has risen sharply in the last week following the identification of false negative PCR tests last week at a lab in Wolverhampton.

The latest seven day case data indicates that North Somerset's infection rate currently stands at 640.2 per 100,000 - above both the regional and national average. The South West has the highest infection rate of any English region currently.

Matt Lenny, North Somerset Council's Director of Public Health said: "Now that people's day-to-day activities are no longer constrained by as many official coronavirus measures, it's never been more important for everyone to take personal responsibility to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

"The recent issue of the false negative PCR test results from the Wolverhampton testing lab will inevitably mean that people living in North Somerset will have unknowingly passed the infection on to others, and this will have contributed to us reaching our highest case rates ever seen locally.

"The best actions everyone can take are to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings, meet outside where possible, keep up the frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds and socially distance.

"Added to that, regular home testing using lateral flow test kits will help to identify new cases and I encourage everyone to test regularly whether they have symptoms or not. If you have any symptoms please isolate straight away and book a PCR test as quickly as possible. 

"And vaccinations remain our best defence against serious illness. Many of our residents will be due their booster vaccinations now or in the coming weeks or months, so please do get it done when invited. We also know that some in our younger age groups have only had one or no vaccination dose so far. Please use the rising number of cases as new motivation to book an appointment or use a walk in service as soon as possible to keep you, family and friends as safe as possible. 

"Vaccinations are also now available for 12-15 year olds and the NHS booking service is expected to be available to them in time for half-term next week so they can book their jab in the same way adults do rather than having it done at school."

First and second dose vaccinations and booster vaccinations can be booked online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirusvaccination which also has details of walk-in vaccination sites.

Cllr Mike Bell, North Somerset's deputy leader and lead member for health added: "It is very concerning to see our rates climbing again when everyone has been working so hard to protect themselves and their loved ones. I am also really frustrated to hear the government confirm that they have no plans to tighten restrictions in England. This situation must not be allowed to escalate. Lives must not be put at risk.

"I am very disappointed that there has been a failure in the testing programme which will have impacted on rates of infection in our community and potentially caused more harm. I urge the government to review how the quality of all laboratories is monitored and we wait to see a report on this incident and how further failures will be prevented.

"We will soon enter the winter period which is always a challenging time for the most vulnerable members of our community and for our health and care workers. I would much rather action is taken now to protect people before case rates spiral and people become ill, and to ease the winter pressures on our hard-working care and health services."

Lateral flow test kits can be ordered online through the gov.uk website and are also available locally from pharmacies with a list at https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/. The North Somerset mobile testing van continues to visit sites across North Somerset seven days a week for assisted tests or collection of home testing kits. The dates and locations are available on the council's website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/rapidtesting. 

The latest test kits available give a result in 15 minutes and only require nasal swabs to be collected.