Spring has definitely arrived and people will be spending more time outside and enjoying the beautiful spots around our city. Easter is a fantastic opportunity to catch up with friends and family in the great outdoors.

The forecast is promising for the weekend, and of course, meeting people outside in the fresh air is still one of the ways we can reduce the risk of Covid-19.

We know that the virus is still affecting lots of people in Stoke-on-Trent – it seems that we all now know someone who has it. Colleagues in the NHS are feeling the pressure too – with around 300 people currently in hospital with Covid-19. And our care homes are experiencing an increase in cases.

It’s now as important as ever to get vaccinated, and take steps to protect yourself and others. We should all take the simple steps to reduce the risk of catching and spreading Covid-19.

• Get vaccinated
• Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside
• Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces

More information is below.

Please remember that Covid-19 is still with us so it’s crucial you continue to manage the risks to yourself and your family. Getting vaccinated is a key part of the government’s Living with Covid plan. Also consider wearing a face mask in crowded or enclosed places and if you are unwell, try to stay at home.

Health services over the Easter weekend

Your local pharmacist can help with minor health problems, such as aches and pains, allergies, sore throats and colds, stomach problems and skin conditions. Find out when your local pharmacy is open over the Easter weekend on the NHS website. 

As well as visiting a pharmacy or using http://111.nhs.uk, you can still contact your GP practice for an out-of-hours appointment over the bank holiday weekend if you need urgent medical help and it’s not an emergency. You may be directed to 111, particularly if you have symptoms of Covid-19.

New symptoms of Covid-19

The original signs of a Covid infection that were recognised in the UK were:

• fever
• new continuous cough
• loss of sense of smell or taste

The Government has recently added some new symptoms of Covid-19. These are:

• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• aching body
• headache
• sore throat
• blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

Covid-19, along with many other respiratory infections such as influenza (flu), can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people. You may be infected with a respiratory virus such as Covid-19 and not have any symptoms but still pass infection onto others.

Getting vaccinated is a key part of the government’s Living with Covid plan. It is also important to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus by:

• Opening windows or meeting other outdoors
• Think about wearing a face covering in crowded places

Continue to test and stay at home if positive

Do you have symptoms of a respiratory infection?

People with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including Covid-19, and a high temperature or who feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people, until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature.

This link- People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including Covid-19 - tells you more about the symptoms, and what you can do if you have symptoms and have not taken a test, or if you have tested positive for Covid-19.

If you are employed, talk to your employer about the options available to you.

Do you have a positive Covid-19 test result?

Anyone with a positive Covd-19 test result is advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days, which is when they are most infectious.

If you need to leave your home when you have symptoms or have tested positive, avoid close contact with people with a weakened immune system, wear a face-covering and avoid crowded places.

More information can be found on the Government website.

Get vaccinated

Vaccines are still our best defense against Covid-19 and they are available for everyone aged five and above.

• Everyone aged 5 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
• People aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15, can also get a booster dose.

Parents of 5-11 year olds

If you're a parent of a child aged 5-11 read this guide to the vaccine on the Gov.UK website. Click here to see a booklet created for 5-11 year-olds that has a simple poem about a child who goes to a vaccination centre to receive their Covid-19 jab. The aim is to help younger children understand what to expect when they attend a vaccination centre.

Spring booster jabs

The NHS are also offering the spring booster to:

• People aged 75 and over
• People who live in care home for older people
• People aged 12 and above with a weakened immune system.

For more information on Covid-19 vaccinations, click the link below:

Book your vaccine

To book your vaccine or check your closest vaccination site  visit: Vaccinations for Coronavirus or call 119.

Testing for COVID-19

The PCR and Lateral Flow testing sites across the city have closed. Testing kits are no longer free of charge from local pharmacies or the government website.

We encourage all residents to continue testing to keep themselves and others safe and it is important that if you feel unwell stay at home.

Lateral flow tests will be available from suppliers at a cost and prices of these may vary.

Please note: A small number of people who are at high risk from Covid-19 will still be able to receive FREE NHS tests.

For the most up to date information on testing visit: Testing for Coronavirus.

Check your medicine cabinet

Having a well-stocked medicine cabinet this Easter will mean that you can fight minor illnesses at home. Talk to a pharmacist for more advice.

Garden of Reflection A service was held in the City's Garden of Reflection to mark the second anniversary of the pandemic.   Members of the public gathered in Fenton Park's rose garden on 23 March 2022 with guests including Lord Lieutenant Sir Ian Dudson, Lord Mayor Chandra Kanneganti, High Sheriff James Friend, Council leader Abi Brown and Deputy Lord Mayor Faisal Hussain.   Six benches were blessed around the gardens with plaques displaying the words – Hope, Respect, Unity, Reflection, Strength and Trust. Click here to watch a Facebook Live recording of the event.

Thank you

Thanks for all your support through the pandemic. Please follow our latest updates through our website, Facebook and Twitter.

Stay Connected If you enjoyed reading this update, why not check out the other updates and newsletters we offer by clicking here