We all need to be cautious this Christmas
KIRKLEES Council’s Director of Public Health has implored people living in the borough to be cautious over the Christmas period following the emergence of a new mutant strain of coronavirus.
News of the new strain of the virus, which is believed to be around 70 per cent more infectious, was first revealed by Matt Hancock.
And although the Health Secretary claimed there is nothing to suggest the new strain is more likely to cause serious disease, fears are growing it may be speeding up the spread of Covid-19.
It has led to Boris Johnson placing London and the South East, where the new variant has been rapidly spreading, into new Tier 4 restrictions.
The Prime Minister has also scrapped the government’s initial Christmas bubble rules, with families living in Tier 1, 2 and 3 areas now only able to meet on Christmas Day itself.
On Saturday, it was revealed by chief medical officer Chris Whitty that the new strain of the virus was being detected in “around five per cent” of coronavirus cases being recorded in Yorkshire and the Humber - equating to around 440 cases.
Now, a Kirklees Council health chief has called on everyone to play their part in order to keep infection rates in the borough on a downward curve.
Rachel Spencer Henshall, Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “There are reports that the new strain of Covid-19 can be passed on much more easily.
“So it’s important, now more than ever, that we all play our part and do the basics: washing hands, wearing a face covering and keeping at least two metres from each other.
“Thanks to everyone’s efforts so far, our infection rates have been dropping in recent weeks but we all need to be cautious this Christmas.
“By following the guidance for the Christmas period and beyond, we will keep our community safer.”
The warning comes days after mass community testing was rolled out across Kirklees for anyone over the age of 11 who doesn’t have coronavirus symptoms.
Four walk-in centres at Batley Library, the Walsh Building in Dewsbury, the Hudawi Centre in Huddersfield and the Greenwood Centre in Ravensthorpe will operate every day for the next few weeks between 8am and 8pm.