Following a warning last week from the Director of Public Health about the possibility of North Lincolnshire having to have tougher measures in place to control Covid, the rate of infection has fallen slightly across the last week.
From a high of 27 people infected per 100,000 across seven days, the figure yesterday dropped to 16. This suggests people are being more responsible and adhering to the guidelines.
But with tougher new rules in place, and the number of people testing positive for Covid rising across the country, North Lincolnshire Council is stressing that Covid is here to stay and that we will all have to adapt to live with Covid for the next few months at least.
Jilla Burgess-Allen, senior consultant in public health from North Lincolnshire’s Public Health Team, said:
“We have seen over the last couple of weeks a number of cases in schools and businesses that mean some pupils and employees have had to isolate.
“There is no doubt that over the coming months this will continue but we can all take the responsibility ourselves to lessen the impact on our schools, our economy and our communities.
“On Monday Professor Whitty, the Government’s Chief Medical Advisor, said that when we raise our own level of risk, we raise the risk for other people too, we take a risk on behalf of our communities. That goes to the heart of the matter – this battle will be won by the community and its response.
“It has been said time and time again but taking a few simple steps can help protect our area from the worst impacts of the virus – washing hands, wearing a mask when needed, keeping a safe distance, getting a test if you have symptoms, and self isolating for the full 14 days if you are advised to as a contact by Test & Trace.
“There is still significant concern locally, regionally and nationally – we saw and heard yesterday those additional measures which have been put in place from today. These are most certainly a compromise – and the compromise is about balancing the protective measures against the significant impact we know a total lockdown creates.
“Economically is has been, and continues to be, challenging, but there are many positive stories out there about business adapting to life with Covid using ingenuity and innovation to protect jobs and enable businesses to grow and develop.
“No doubt businesses will be under significant pressures I am sure and they will have had to adapt to accommodate the Covid-secure measures, but nonetheless they are operating without serious interruption even if an isolated case is identified.
”We saw back in March the overwhelming support which flowed from every community when supporting those shielding – the impact of individuals, neighbours, friends, colleagues, family picking up a loaf of bread, buying a paper, collecting a prescription – or sometimes even just making phone call.
“As we adapt to life with Covid, what we all do will continue to make a huge difference, to ensure the most vulnerable are protected. The difference made by the 170,000 people of North Lincolnshire is what will swing this thing and get us through the coming months.”
