Sefton Council’s Interim Director of Public Health Margaret Jones is reminding people across the Borough that while they must take precautions to avoid contracting and passing coronavirus, they also need to remember to take care at home.
Mrs Jones said she is reassured that coronavirus cases in Sefton are currently low but said that required vigilance by everyone is needed to maintain that situation.
She said: “With Government’s recent reduction of restrictions, there has been a lot of focus on staying safe while out and about and there is no question that being mindful and considerate, maintaining safe distances and wearing masks or face covering is vitally important.
“But it is also vital that people don’t forget the day-to-day basics when they are at home.
“COVID-19 is still very much with us can be anywhere including our own homes so the need to follow the guidance on socialising remains. People should restrict indoor meetings to members of just two different households and keep the numbers at outdoor gathering to a maximum of six people.
“And, if people do start showing the symptoms of coronavirus, which are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it is essential for their own safety and the safety of their friends and loved ones around them that they get a test immediately. It’s easy to make an appointment via www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.”
Mrs Jones went on to stress the importance of people responding if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace service and the need to self-isolate for 14 days if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
She added: “People don’t need to get tested unless they develop symptoms but if they get a negative test result after being identified through Test and Trace, they still need to self-isolate because the virus can take 14 days to incubate.
“And finally wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands and do it thoroughly.”
