‘We’ve done the hard work on coronavirus, let’s not ruin it now’
HEALTH CHIEF’S WORDS OF CAUTION AS LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED
PUBLIC health officials have called on the public in North East Lincolnshire not to risk ruining the hard work already done and to keep doing their bit to beat coronavirus despite the lifting of restrictions. Coronavirus infection rates have come crashing down in the area after a period where North East Lincolnshire flipped from being one of the best areas at the start of the year, to being among the worst in recent months.
Exactly three months ago in January the rate for the area was 141 cases per 100,000 people according to the NHS data, this was one of the lowest rates in England but while other regions saw dramatic improvements in the following months of lockdown, rates here have been slower to improve. That is until recent weeks where the rates have been slashed and the current infection rate for the area stands at 45.1 cases per 100,000 people which is a weekon-week improvement of an impressive 26%.
Stephen Pintus, Director for Public Health at North East Lincolnshire Council, inset, said: “We have made a lot of great progress over the last few months, with everyone making sacrifices to reduce the spread of the virus. The low numbers we are now starting to see are a result of everybody doing their bit.
“The unprecedented success of the vaccination programme has also helped to protect the most vulnerable, and is testament to the hard work of the incredible staff in our NHS.
“However, the work is not over. As the restrictions begin to relax, we must continue to stick to those basic rules, otherwise we risk undoing all of that hard work.” The effect of the lower numbers of infections has been seen in the region’s hospitals which have dropped to their lowest numbers of Covid-19 positive inpatients since the beginning of the second wave last November.
As of Wednesday morning, there were 15 coronavirus positive patients within hospitals in the North Lincolnshire and Goole Hospital Trust.
Of these seven were being treated at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, seven were at Scunthorpe General and one was at Goole and district.
One patient was in intensive care at Scunthorpe General but there have been no further deaths reported.
The death toll related to coronavirus within local hospitals currently stands at 450 people. Mr Pintus said: “My message to North East Lincolnshire residents is this: continue to follow the restrictions to keep our infection rate down. Keep taking those simple precautions. Wash your hands regularly – particularly before and after eating or touching your head and face. Keep your distance from those who do not live with you, and wear a face mask when in enclosed public spaces. “Even if you’ve had your vaccine or received a negative test result, you must still stick to the rules. The vaccine protects you from the effects of the virus, but does not stop you catching it or passing it to others.
“Those that are still waiting for their turn to get the vaccine, please do not hesitate to take up the offer when you are contacted.
“It is vital that you get both the first and second dose of the vaccine to ensure you receive the most protection against the effects of the virus.”
Overnight there have been just 10 new cases of the virus confirmed in North East Lincolnshire to bring the total for the entire pandemic to 8,603.
These low numbers come despite the latest easing of lockdown rules as people are once again allowed to dine and drink outdoors at pubs, cafes and restaurants. Non-essential shops have also been allowed to reopen, as have hairdressers, museums, zoos and gyms.
For comparison, the day that the latest of the lockdowns was announced in January, the area reported 51 new cases of the virus and had a rate of 171 cases per 100,000 people.
Mr Pintus said: “The relaxation of the rules depends on everyone doing their bit and helping to keep the transmission of the virus low. If case numbers increase, restrictions are likely to remain in place for some time. “People can now arrange to get free home testing kits that provide a result within half an hour. These should be taken twice a week to help identify cases early so you can self-isolate and protect your family, friends and colleagues. “Finally, if you have a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of sense of taste or smell, self-isolate immediately and arrange a test via NHS.UK or call 119.”