COVID cases update:
Positive COVID-19 cases remain on an upward trend across the borough – data in Cheshire East in the latest week to 2 September, shows that there were 252 cases per 100,000, and a total of 1365 cases in the previous 7 days.
Local workplaces can help us to avoid going in the wrong direction this autumn by reminding staff of the guidance on ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ (see ‘When in busy / crowded spaces’ guidance below’)
Not only are positive cases UP, but the wearing of masks / face coverings appears to be significantly DOWN.
When in busy or crowded spaces follow the Covid safety guidance:
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Hands- try to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day
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Face- wear a face covering in crowded spaces. The government recommends face coverings to be worn in crowded and enclosed areas, such as public transport. For more information please see the guidance on face coverings.
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Space- Limit close contact with people you do not live with, particularly in busy / crowded spaces.
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App- The NHS COVID-19 app is a vital part of NHS Test and Trace in England and Wales. Using the app helps stop the spread of the virus by informing you that you have been in close contact with someone who has since tested positive for coronavirus, even if you don’t know each other. The app also allows people to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test and check in to venues. To help protect yourself and others, download and use the latest version of the NHS COVID-19 app.
You can see further information online: steps and actions you can take to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus.
Testing regularly remains key to protecting everyone - as the above COVID case rates show, COVID-19 is still with us, so regular testing is still the best way to stop the virus from spreading.
The full range of ways to get a COVID-19 test locally can be seen on our webpage at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid-testing
 Workplace guidance and support:
Our guidance for local businesses and workplaces remains the same, which is to:
Testing support:
We are here to help with workplace testing, and we can help your business with:
1. Training with the implementation and set-up of workplace testing (webinar training);
2. Delivery of test kits for testing sessions at your workplace;
For more information on any of the above services, please get in touch at: LFT@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Links to government posters and publicity assets:
'Keeping yourself and others safe' display posters: Posters - Coronavirus Resource centre (phe.gov.uk)
Workplace testing resources, including translated assets in 16 languages: Resources - Coronavirus Resource centre (phe.gov.uk)
Working safely guidance - assets for Business: Business Assets - Coronavirus Resource centre (phe.gov.uk)
Recent Testing activity:
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Return to Schools testing - The focus for the testing team over the last week has been on supporting with the return to school testing, with over 1,300 completed tests.
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Pop up / mobile testing sites - We have also had pop up testing available in some of the borough's higher case areas.
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Events / festival support - The testing team have also produced a detailed events planner for any events happening in Cheshire East. An appropriate package of support will be made available for events taking place in the area.
Testing this week:
This week we have regular lateral flow testing centres at various locations around the borough, for walk-in tests or pre-booked slots, as follows:
Wednesday 8 September:
- Alexandra Suite, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Gresty Road, Crewe CW2 6EB - 9am - 4pm
- Salvation Army Church, Roe Street, Macclesfield. SK11 6TU - 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9 September:
- Alexandra Suite, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Gresty Road, Crewe CW2 6EB - 9am - 4pm
- Salvation Army Church, Roe Street, Macclesfield. SK11 6TU - 9am - 4pm
- Macclesfield Town Hall, SK10 1DZ - 9am - 4pm (Mobile Testing van parked outside the Town Hall)
- Waitrose in Sandbach, CW11 4BE - 9am - 4pm (Mobile Testing van parked in Waitrose car park)
Friday 10 September:
- Alexandra Suite, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Gresty Road, Crewe CW2 6EB - 9am - 4pm
- Macclesfield Conservative Club, West Bank Road, Macclesfield. SK10 3BT - 9am - 4pm
- ASDA Alsager, Lawton Road, ST7 2AA - 9am - 4pm (Mobile Testing Van parked in ASDA car park)
- Tesco Crewe, Vernon Way, CW1 2DD - 9am - 4pm (Mobile Testing Van parked in Tesco car park)
Saturday 11 September:
- Booths, Knutsford, WA16 0BS - 9am - 4pm (Mobile testing van parked in Booths car park). NOTE: This mobile testing van is supporting the 'Pub in the Park' event.
Check the council’s testing page at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid-testing for full details – as dates and availability may vary.
How to arrange tests:
PCR tests - can be booked online at: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Reporting Test results:
Test results can be reported online at: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result
 On Sunday 5 September the 'first citizen of Macclesfield', the Mayor of Macclesfield Cllr David Edwardes turned up at our mobile testing site at Tesco, Macclesfield to lend his support to our testing activity there and highlight the ongoing importance of regular testing.
If any of your staff need to get one or more vaccines, here is the latest local vaccine information:
 Latest UK vaccination rates show that over 48.2 million have now received their first vaccination, 43.4 million a second dose to date.
The vaccination programme continues to go well in Cheshire East. However, there are a few areas in Cheshire East, particularly in the Crewe area where levels of vaccine uptake remain worryingly low. We appeal for for local business support to urge all Crewe residents, indeed all residents, to get their vaccinations as soon as possible.
Walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations in Cheshire East:
Across Cheshire East, the following sites are offering walk-in vaccination clinics in the coming days:
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Alderley Park Mass Vaccination Centre, Congleton Road, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG. Daily until 21 September (8:30am-6pm)
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Churchill Way Car Park, Macclesfield, SK11 6AY. Wednesday, September 8th (11am-7pm)
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Middlewich Victoria Hall, Civic Way, Middlewich, CW10 9AS. Saturday, September 11th (9am-midday)
You will need to provide your date of birth, address, email address, phone number and ideally your NHS number, but don't worry if you don't know your NHS number.
Please note that your second dose must be at least 8 weeks after your first.
'Grab a jab' postcode checker:
Alternatively any of your staff can visit the Government's online postcode checker to find your nearest 'Grab a jab' centre. If there is no local availability showing on the booking system, and it is not convenient for them to travel, keep checking back as local slots update all the time. Call 119 if further assistance is needed.
Anyone aged 18 or over (or 17 years olds within 3 months of their 18th birthday) can book their vaccination appointments online now at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.
NOTE:- 16 and 17 year old cannot book online appointments
Has COVID-19 testing worked for your business?
Has testing brought business and / or employee benefits?
If so we would like to hear from you as we are planning to feature businesses who have successfully deployed testing in future editions of this newsletter.
To share your workplace testing story, please email: LFT@cheshireeast.gov.uk
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