Public health officials in Leicestershire have today reiterated a ‘get tested’ message as COVID-19 cases continue on an upward trend across the county and the rest of the country.
People are being encouraged to get tested for the virus following a rise in positive cases, particularly among younger people.
Although cases are on the rise across most parts of Leicestershire, the county council’s director of public health says he has ‘real concerns’ about the Charnwood and Blaby districts.
There’s been a step increase in numbers across Leicestershire with Covid cases overall rising by around 60 per cent in the past seven days, so the rate of increase has slowed a little but the national rate is up by around 50 per cent too.
Charnwood and Blaby are the districts causing me the most concern – and there appears to be two main factors behind this. There’s a general increase across the county as mixing has increased and at a time when the Delta variant was beginning to take a hold. We’re also aware of some specific issues related to school-age parties and gatherings
Person:Mike Sandys, director of public health, Leicestershire County CouncilCounty data shows the Leicestershire rate now stands at 42.6 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the national rate of 40.6 per 100,000.
Charnwood has the highest rate in the county (64.6 per 100,000 of the population), followed by Blaby district (55.2 per 100,000), Oadby & Wigston (33.3 per 100,000), Harborough (33.0 per 100,000), Hinckley & Bosworth (31.8 per 100,000), Melton (29.3 [per 100,000) and North-West Leicestershire (23.2 per 100,000).
Mike said it was still vital for people to take a cautious approach, referring particularly to the forthcoming European football championships which start later this week.
Councillor Louise Richardson, county council cabinet member for health, said: “Testing is how we will avoid a further increase in the rates. If you have symptoms, you must book a test.
"Also, we’d encourage people to continue taking lateral flow tests which also brings reassurance to others. To protect yourself and others, keep two metres apart, wear a mask to help to reduce the spread of the virus and regularly wash your hands.”
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have also announced that drop-in vaccination clinics are also running in Loughborough this week to make it more convenient for people to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Two drop-in clinics will be taking place at the vaccination service at Charnwood Borough Council’s offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough, LE11 2TX today (Wednesday 9th) and Thursday 10th June 2021, from 8.30am to 12.30pm each day.
From Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th June, there will be further opportunities to be vaccinated at Fearon Hall Community Centre, Rectory Road, Loughborough, LE11 1PL. The clinics will be open from 12pm to 9pm each day. Opening times may be subject to change. Patients are advised to check the website for the latest information at https://www.leicestercityccg.nhs.uk/additional-covid-vaccination-clinics/
Vaccinations are being offered to people who are eligible for the vaccine in line with national guidelines. All adults aged 25 to 29 in England who have not yet had a Covid vaccine are now able to book their first dose.
To stop the spread of coronavirus, people are urged to:
• Get tested if you have symptoms and isolate – book a test at: https://www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
• Get vaccinated – and in particular, make sure you have your second dose. Find out more at https://www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine
• Take regular, rapid lateral flow tests to help keep your workplace, community and school safe – find out more and order tests at https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests