|
Dear resident,
After making great progress in recent weeks, COVID-19 infection rates have increased in Kirklees over the festive period and I’m contacting you to urge you to stay safe for New Year.
There were 777 new positive COVID-19 cases in the borough over the last seven days which is an increase of around 14 per cent. You can view all the data on the online dashboard.
These are just the cases we know about. One in three people do not have symptoms, and with restrictions eased so households could come together to celebrate Christmas Day, we know that there will be many more people currently infected without realising.
The reality is that there is a real risk of infection rates increasing even further over the next few days and weeks, but there is a part we can all play in preventing the spread of the virus so we can save lives and get some of our freedoms back.
The Government announced on 30 December 2020 that Kirklees will remain in Tier 3 restrictions.
The Government has also announced that secondary school and college pupils will return from the Christmas holidays later than planned. Primary school pupils will return as planned in Kirklees. Read the Government's announcement for more information.
Play your part: Get tested
On 18 December 2020, we launched community testing for everyone who lives or works in Kirklees, which means you can now get tested if you don’t have symptoms. Thousands of you have already been tested as part of this programme – thank you for playing your part.
This is our effort to identify as many asymptomatic COVID-19 cases as possible so we can prevent people from unknowingly passing the virus on to others. All you need to do is visit one of four testing centres we’ve opened:
-
Dewsbury: Dewsbury Railway Station Car Park, Dewsbury, WF13 1HF
-
Huddersfield: Percy Shaw House, also known as Queen Street Studios, Queen Street South, Huddersfield, HD1 3BB
-
Ravensthorpe: Ravensthorpe KNH (Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing), Queen Street, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury WF13 3BT
-
Shaw Cross: Bywell Playing Fields Car Park, Leeds Road, Dewsbury, WF12 7HL
All centres are open 8am-8pm every day. The last tests will take place at 7:30pm each day. If you are still in a queue at 7:30pm, we can’t guarantee you’ll get a test.
For more information, visit Kirklees Council’s website.
Please remember that if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should book a test by calling 119 or going to: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Play your part: Stay safe this New Year
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are usually times when we all come together to celebrate, but unfortunately this year has to be different.
The restrictions on meeting with other households are not being eased for New Year celebrations. I’m urging everyone in Kirklees to continue to follow the restrictions in place which prevent us from mixing with other households.
The best way you can play your part is by staying at home and celebrating New Year with only your household or support bubble
Kirklees Cares: We’re here to help
This can be a really difficult time of the year for some people, and many more than normal face being alone due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
I want you to know that we are here to support you. If you’re vulnerable and need support, please visit Kirklees Council’s website or call 0800 4561114
Happy New Year
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us for so many reasons. But I want to end with a positive.
For all the challenges and struggles we’ve faced over the last year, the togetherness and community spirit in Kirklees has shone through every single time. The remarkable efforts shown by all of you in such difficult times is how I will remember 2020.
The rollout of the vaccine gives us hope and I’m confident that there is an end in sight. Please continue to do our borough proud and keep each other safe. Thank you for playing your part.
 Rachel Spencer-Henshall
Director of Public Health, Kirklees Council
Kirklees Council has special permission from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to email you without consent where this is in the public interest. In this case it is to help protect the public from COVID-19.
|
