Bedford Borough Council is urging residents to continue to follow social distancing advice to avoid a local lockdown.
Locally there has been a rise in the number of cases over the past three weeks with 97 cases recorded since the 13th July and the Borough has been listed as ‘an area of concern’ by the government.
Bedford Borough had previously seen the highest infection rate in the East of England and remains above the regional average.
The recent Deep Dive report found that there was no singular cause of this high infection rate, so it is vital that everyone continues to play their part to keep themselves and their communities safe. Bedford Borough Council is urging residents to help avoid a local lockdown by continuing to keep 2 metres apart from people other than those you live with, avoiding gatherings, wearing a face covering if you can, and washing your hands regularly with soap and water or a hand sanitiser for 20 seconds.
To help identify cases a mobile testing facility is now available 7 days a week at Borough Hall in Bedford for anyone with coronavirus symptoms. These include a new, persistent cough, a temperature or a change or loss of your sense of taste or smell. Anyone with symptoms should only leave their home to get tested. The tests are free and can be booked at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
Partners including Bedford Borough Council, NHS Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Bedfordshire Police have also been working together to get the message out that we all need to play our part to protect each other and reduce the spread of the virus.
Even if you never develop symptoms of coronavirus, you could still be infected and pass the virus on without knowing it.
Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough said, “To avoid a local lockdown we’re strongly advising residents to not get complacent and continue to follow social distancing and other advice.
“If you have any of the symptoms, you must arrange to get a test, free testing is available 7 days a week in Bedford.
“Protect your friends and families, protect Bedford Borough.”
Patricia Davies, Accountable Officer Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group said, “This recent rise shows that we cannot be complacent, and our community has responded well in the past to our calls to help us prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“We would urge all local residents and businesses to adhere to strict government guidance around social distancing, hand washing and sanitising, and encourage people to wear a face covering in all settings.
“We all have a part to play to reduce transmission, keep people safe, and avoid a local lockdown in Bedford.”
Please help avoid a lockdown in Bedford Borough:
- Get tested and self-isolate if you have symptoms. Do not leave your home if you have symptoms (a new, persistent cough, a temperature or a change or loss of your sense of taste or smell)
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser
- Try to limit the number of people from outside your household that you see. You can meet outdoors in groups of up to six people who you do not live with, or more if everyone is exclusively from two households
- Avoid gatherings and going into other people’s houses
- Keep 2 metres away from people who are not from your household. Do not hug, kiss or shake hands with people when you greet them
- Wear a face covering in busy places, like in shops and on public transport
Anyone with symptoms, including a new persistent cough, high temperature or a change or loss of taste or smell should immediately self-isolate and arrange a test via nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
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