Slough is ‘very close’ to tier two
Slough: Health official issues warning as COVID cases rise
A councillor has issued a warning about rising COVID-19 cases after a meeting was told the borough is ‘very close’ to facing tier two restrictions.
Cllr Natasa Pantelic (Lab, Cippenham Meadows) cabinet member for health and wellbeing said there were now 100 positive cases per 100,000 people – up from 82 cases reported on Tuesday.
She believes the infection rate may even be higher than this due to testing capacity issues and urged people to follow the restrictions and be mindful of their household.
She said there have also been two deaths from COVID-19 recorded this month, the first since August 14.
She added: “Slough is nearing the point where further restrictions will need to be imposed if the number of positive cases continues to rise in the borough.
“Please be mindful of the people you live with. If you have symptoms please isolate.
“Now more than ever we
need to work together to stop further spread of the virus.
“We see London about to have further restrictions imposed where people mixing with different households is banned.
“Please be mindful of the rules for the city and don’t visit friends and family indoors there.”
At a health scrutiny panel on Tuesday, Sue Foley, interim public health consultant for the council, warned councillors that Slough could jump to tier two – or the ‘high’ category – as the borough is seeing an increased rate of cases.
Ms Foley said: “We are very close to be putting on tier two. We are having an increased rate of cases.
“So, we need to keep vigilance and implementing our COVID infection prevention measures across the community.”
Councillor Safdar Ali
(Lab, Central) asked if Slough Borough Council has any plan prepared to put in place if the borough was to jump to high risk level.
In response, Sue Foley said daily meetings are ongoing, analysing the best possible ways to engage with the community to communicate the possible tier two restrictions to residents.
She said: “Hopefully it won’t happen for us
[Slough] going into tier two – but if it does, we are certainly putting measures in place should that happen.”