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Dear resident,
On Monday, many Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted across England. I’m contacting you with an update on our current situation in Kirklees and with some advice on how we can continue to look out for each other in the coming weeks.
Read more on the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and what this means for us.
It’s really important that we recognise this positive news after 16 months of living with some level of restrictions. I know that many of us will want to enjoy the freedoms we’ve all missed for so long.
The individual steps we now take to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will be our own choice. That’s why I’m asking everyone in our area to continue to show each other the same kindness and understanding that has been so evident throughout the pandemic.
With Covid-19 currently spreading quickly in our communities, many of our family, friends and neighbours will feel anxious about the future. The vaccine programme has given so many of us great protection but the high number of new infections means the virus still poses a risk to many people in our community.
There are a few simple steps we can all take to reduce the spread of the virus and protect each other.
- The best thing you can do to protect yourself and others is to make sure you get both doses of your vaccine. You can find everything you need to get your jab in this email.
- Giving people space is not just a good way to lessen the chances of passing the infection on, it can put people at ease if they’re still worried about catching the virus.
- Wearing a face covering in a crowded space, or if you are asked, is another effective way you can protect others.
- Meeting people outside this summer is still a safer way to see friends and family. If you’re indoors, opening windows or doors will help too.
- Getting tested regularly and self-isolating when you’re asked will remain one of the most important ways we continue to stop the spread. You can find more about the rules here: Covid-19 self-isolation rules.
 Kirklees infection rates
Covid-19 infection rates are currently high - and still rising - across the country, including in Kirklees.
Thankfully, we’re not currently seeing this impact on the number of Covid-19 deaths in Kirklees. Although they remain relatively low, we have seen a rise in the number of hospital admissions due to Covid-19 in the last week, particularly within the 20-39 age group.
Read this week’s Kirklees data update.
 You can stay up to date with all the data on our online dashboard, including a breakdown of each ward.
Play your part, take the vaccine
Over the past few months, over half a million vaccinations have been administered in Kirklees. It’s an amazing achievement and I want to thank everyone in the NHS, community pharmacies, volunteers and many others who have made it happen.
If you’re over 18, it’s definitely not too late to get protection for you and your family. You can go to the NHS website or call 119 to book your appointment right now. Or you can visit one of our pop-up clinics. You don’t need to book and appointment at a pop-up clinic and it won’t take long for you to play your part in protecting yourself and others.
This weekend is another Big Weekend of vaccinations across the country. It means we’re offering even more pop-up clinics here in Kirklees. If you’re planning a picnic in Greenhead Park this weekend, there will be a clinic in the park from midday until 7pm on Saturday and Sunday for you to get your first or second jab.
We will have a total of 11 pop-up clinics available in lots of locations across Kirklees this weekend. Find your nearest clinic here: Kirklees vaccination clinics.
We are adding more locations all the time so keep an eye on our website and social media to find your nearest clinic. If you haven’t yet had you vaccination or it’s been eight weeks since your first jab, just turn up and get protected.
Thank you
Thank you for everything you have done over the past 16 months to look out for your friends and neighbours across Kirklees. Your kindness and understanding will continue to make a big difference.
 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.
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