22 September 2021
Welcome to our latest COVID-19 information update.
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We are reminding residents that COVID-19 remains a significant risk to public health and to continue with COVID safe behaviours of ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’.
Latest local COVID-19 data shows there have been 376 positive cases per 100,000 in Cheshire East in the week up to 16 September. This is significantly above the average for England of 254 per 100,000 of population.
Set against this backdrop of high local cases, we are advising residents to follow the latest advice from Public Health England to get vaccinated, to get tested regularly and to wear a mask in busy or crowded places such as supermarkets and public transport.
We all have a part to play in keeping life moving and containing the spread of the virus. With a significant number of positive cases now, it is vital we continue to take precautions and remain COVID-aware.
COVID cases are rising not only among the young, 35% of all cases are in the 10-19 age group, but we are also seeing a strong rise in over-40’s cases too. This in turn affects hospitalisation rates, which have also increased.
The best advice remains to get fully vaccinated as soon as you can as this not only protects yourself but also diminishes the virus’s ability to spread. This is especially important for vulnerable people who are to be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine (from 6 months after their second doses).
The booster vaccination programme will be rolled out to the same priority groups as previously. This means care home residents, health and social care workers, people aged over 50, those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, adult carers, and adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals will be prioritised.
We would also strongly advise people to do the things we already know help stop the spread of the virus. If you test positive, you won’t be able to enjoy all those things we have all missed doing such as joining in with family celebrations, going on holiday, or going to sporting or music events.
For the latest information and advice on COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and self-isolation support, visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid19
More than 48.6 million people have received a first dose of a vaccine and over 44.5 million people have now had their second vaccination.
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 strongly urge all Crewe residents, indeed all residents, to get their vaccinations as soon as possible.
It will take a few weeks for your body to build immunity and you are only considered fully vaccinated at least two weeks after you get a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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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Middlewich Victoria Hall, Civic Way, Middlewich, CW10 9AS. Thursday, September 23rd (2pm-6:30pm)
Bookable appointments are also available between 2pm-6:30pm and for an additional 30 minutes between 6:30pm-7pm at Middlewich Victoria Hall on Thursday, September 23rd. Contact your GP practice or email smash.bookings@nhs.net in advance to book for eligible clinically vulnerable children aged 12-15 requiring a first vaccine and eligible immunosuppressed patients requiring a third booster vaccine 6 months after their second doses.
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Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF (Visit Entrance 1 off Worleston Road) Wednesday, September 29th (10am-6pm)
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:
You 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 you to travel, please keep checking back as local slots update all the time. Call 119 if you need further assistance.
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.
Swab Squad newsletter
We have a Swab Squad newsletter which focusses on workplace testing, guidance and advice.
This is now moving to be a monthly-only newsletter, so we will be featuring key workplace testing themes in this newsletter every fortnight from now on.
You can keep up to date with daily testing information provided by our Swab Squad at their Twitter account: @CEC_SwabSquad
You can also sign up to the monthly workplace testing newsletter from the Swab Squad at: Business – Workplace Testing newsletter provided by Cheshire East Testing Swab Squad
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
Supported by local chambers of commerce, businesses in the borough can now order an innovative COVID-19 business information toolkit to help them restart their business and help keep staff and customers as safe as possible.
We have brought together resources from trusted organisations to help you communicate changes in COVID-19 status to your colleagues, and explain how they can slow the spread of the disease. There's also a guide for the main considerations for restarting your business and helping to keep your staff and customers as safe as possible. Order your COVID-19 business toolkit here and find out more about the toolkit on our dedicated business page.
 With COVID-19 cases still high and the wetter, colder months approaching, we have organised for a COVID-19 and winter wellbeing leaflet to be delivered to every household and business in the borough this week. We want to reinforce key COVID-19 safety messages and information to help residents stay safe throughout the colder and wetter winter months.
The leaflet includes information on COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, a useful toolkit for businesses to help keep their staff and customers safe and advice for our most vulnerable residents - especially for those aged 65 and older. Visit our dedicated winter wellbeing web page for more information
Further help and support
Experiencing Covid-19 symptoms?
Links to mental health resources:
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