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Public health chief’s advice on living with Covid
07/04/2022
Free testing ends as infection rates show a slight fall
Covid cases in the Banbury FM area rose significantly during March, but the latest figures reverse that, with a fall last week.
In the seven days up to April 1, 1,031 people tested positive for the virus locally, which is down from 1,298 the previous week. Reported cases in Oxfordshire currently stand at 927.4 per 100,000 people.
As we get used to living with Covid, Oxfordshire’s health chief is advising us to continue the simple steps taken during the pandemic to help us live safely with the virus.
Free Covid testing ended for most people last Friday. For them if they want to know if they are infected they will now have to pay for a test, whether they have symptoms or not.
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “Free testing may have ended for the vast majority of people but that doesn’t mean we should let down our guard.
“If you are unwell, please stay at home if you can and avoid contact with others. You can also reduce your chance of becoming unwell and of passing the virus on to others by taking some tried and tested simple steps. These include ventilation of rooms, washing hands, and wearing masks in crowded settings. These behaviours help contain the spread of other respiratory illnesses too.
“We continue to encourage everyone eligible for a vaccine to come forward and accept that offer. Those who are due a booster, a second or even a first vaccine should come forward, while over 75s are now able to book a fourth ‘spring’ booster.
“With the forthcoming Easter school break and bank holiday on the horizon it’s important to remember that COVID is still very much in circulation and we should do all we can to protect the most vulnerable in our society in particular.”
Full details for each part of the Banbury FM area can be seen on our Covid Dashboard.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam