30 July 2021
Welcome to our latest Covid-19 information update.
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 Current case rates:
Using data up to 24 July, the number of cases is 354.0 per 100,000 over the last seven days, which is lower than the previous week when it was at 491.5. The average in England is 374.4.
There were 1,360 new cases in Cheshire East in the week up to 24 July. That’s a decrease of 528 on the previous week.
Our current guidance:
Our guidance to those living and working in Cheshire East is to:
• Get fully vaccinated – it’s shown to be safe and effective against the virus, including new variants and is the best way to keep yourself from getting seriously ill. It also reduces the risk of passing the virus on to someone else
• Be kind and considerate of others who may be feeling extremely nervous about the further lifting of restrictions
• Continue wearing face coverings in crowded indoor areas where social distancing cannot be followed, such as supermarkets and on public transport, in health and social care settings, such as hospitals, care homes and GP surgeries, and where it would make others feel more comfortable
• Continue social distancing by not unnecessarily being in crowded areas and continuing to work from home if possible
• Continue to practice good hand hygiene, in particular hand washing
• Keep getting tested – everyone should undertake twice weekly rapid symptom free testing using Lateral Flow Tests (LFT). If people experience symptoms such as a headache, a stuffed or runny nose, tiredness or weakness, aches and pains, sore throat or diarrhoea, they should take an LFT and follow up with a PCR test if the LFT test is positive. If people have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19 such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss or change to their sense of smell or taste they must stay at home and book a PCR test. Around one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have symptoms, but can still infect others - so getting tested regularly will help slow the spread
• Self-isolate if you have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, especially if you work in a high-risk setting
We are urging businesses and workplaces in Cheshire East:
• Continue to adhere to Covid-19 working safely guidance, including provision of washing facilities and proper ventilation with external fresh air
• Continue to engage with the Test, Trace and Isolate process, and increase testing if your workplace has had an outbreak
• Encourage your employees to get tested if they suspect they have Covid-19 symptoms and self-isolate if positive
• Encourage your employees to have both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine when it is offered
Click here for the latest Coronavirus Guidance
Why is regular testing still important?
The importance of getting regular tests to identify the 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 but show no symptoms is still vitally important, as it helps to break the chain of transmission and speeds up our containment of the virus. We urge people to have twice-weekly lateral flow tests if you are symptom free.
If you do have symptoms such as a headache, tiredness, aches and pains, even diarrhoea, then get a lateral flow test and follow this up with a PCR Test if the lateral flow test is positive.
But if you have the now familiar symptoms of continuous cough, loss of sense of smell or taste and high temperature, then you should stay at home and self-isolate, while booking a PCR Test.
Local Testing options:
We have the following testing sites available, where you can simply walk-in and wait to get a test or you can book an appointment online in advance to save time.
- Lateral Flow Testing (no symptoms)
This week we have lateral flow testing centres at various locations around the borough, including:
Prestbury Village Hall; Wesley Centre, Sandbach; New Life Church, Congleton; Audlem Town Hall; Willaston Memorial Hall; Macclesfield Rugby Football Club and Coppenhall Working Men’s Club – all on various days but not every day. Find out the latest dates and times on our Covid Testing page.
Mobile Testing Units: You can get a free PCR lab test at one of our mobile testing units (see below) you need to book online at: book a PCR test appointment.
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Old Road, Handforth, SK9 3AZ.
Opening hours: 9am to 4pm (up to Friday 30 July 2021)
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King Street Car Park, Knutsford, WA16 6DZ.
Opening hours: 9am to 4pm (up to Friday 30 July 2021)
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Fairground Car Park, Market Street, Congleton, CW12 1ET.
Opening hours: 9am to 4pm (up to Friday 30 July 2021)
Local Testing sites: Our local testing sites at Crewe and Macclesfield (below) are now only for symptomatic PCR lab tests. You can book online at: book a PCR test appointment.
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Crewe local test site, Chester Street car park, Crewe, CW1 2ER - from 8am to 8pm daily
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Macclesfield local test site, Commercial Road, Macclesfield, SK10 2QJ - from 8am to 8pm daily
Find out all local testing options at: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid-testing
 Locally more than 72 per cent of our eligible residents have now received both doses of the vaccine.
Nationally more than 46.7 million people in the UK – have now received a first dose of a vaccine and over 37.6 million people, have had a second, a combined total of over 84.3 million doses administered to date.
We thank all our residents for taking up the vaccine when offered. Now there is particular focus on the 18 – 30 age group and to encourage people to take up the offer of their second dose. We know that at least 70 per cent of the eligible population have done this, which is excellent news.
It is important to get vaccinated and to have both doses of the vaccine to gain maximum protection. We have vaccinated more people in the UK than many other countries and we know that vaccination is breaking the link – particularly in relation to more serious illness, hospitalisation and death.
Cheshire East Council and our Cheshire health and care partners continue to urge all adults to get their jabs.
It is now possible to pop along to some vaccination clinics for your first and second dose of the Pfizer vaccine with no appointment needed, and our Cheshire health partners have just launched a campaign aimed at young people to '#Get2jabs' (see images above and below). Find out more on on our vaccination programme page.
Our local testing team, the Swab Squad has been busy providing rapid testing sites throughout the borough. These change regularly, so you might wish to consider following the team to keep up to date on their latest local testing activity.
You can now sign up to receive our ‘Swab Squad’ newsletter or follow the team on Twitter.
Further help and support
Experiencing Covid-19 symptoms?
Links to mental health resources:
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