Case increase doesn’t mean an outbreak, says director
THE recent rise in coronavirus cases in Sefton does not represent a significant outbreak of the disease, the borough’s director of public health has said.
Cases of Covid-19 in Sefton more than doubled in the week ending Friday, August 14, with 38 new cases reported in seven days compared with just 15 the week before. The sudden rise meant Sefton had the highest rate of new cases in Merseyside, with the Birkdale area particularly affected.
However, Sefton’s director of public health Margaret Jones said these were isolated cases rather than a cluster.
She said: “We are monitoring a small rise in the number of individual cases across the borough, but are pleased to note that these cases have been isolated and do not represent a cluster that would suggest an outbreak.
“However, like all councils, we do have an outbreak management plan in place should numbers of cases rise and we are ready to work with our partners to use it if necessary.”
With just under 14 new cases per 100,000 residents, Sefton is nowhere near the same level as areas such as Blackburn and Greater Manchester that have been placed back into lockdown. But it is higher than the Merseyside average.
Across the Liverpool City Region, cases have generally remained steady over the past two weeks after rising around the beginning of August.
However, public health officials are still urging caution to prevent further increases in the spread of coronavirus.
Ms Jones said: “Preventing Covid-19 spreading, in Sefton and beyond, and protecting ourselves, our friends and loved ones means everyone remaining vigilant in taking the necessary precautions.
“These include being mindful and considerate, maintaining safe distances and wearing masks or face covering while out and about but also sticking to the guidance on indoor and outdoor meetings, handwashing.
“It’s also about getting tested immediately if they start showing the coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, which you can do, easily, by making an appointment for a test via www.nhs.uk/ coronavirus or by calling 119.”
A coronavirus test
being carried out