Thanks for following the rules as new local COVID cases falls to 4

08/04/2021

Easy to access rapid testing one of the key elements in helping keep COVID at bay

There were just 4 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in the Banbury FM area last week – all of them in the Grimsbury part of town.   New infection rates now stand at the lowest level since September 18 last year.

Across Oxfordshire the overall infection rate has dropped to 33.1 per 100,000 of the population.

The latest figures, which take account of all new cases up to last Friday (April 2), come just days before the next phase of the roadmap out of lockdown is implemented.   From Monday all shops will be allowed to open, hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can restart and restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.   Additionally gyms, spas, libraries and community centres can reopen.

As the latest relaxation of the rules gets closer we are being thanked for our continued willingness to abide by the national roadmap rules.

Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing forms an essential part of the government’s roadmap plan. From 9 April, everyone in England will be able to access free, rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests for themselves and their families to use twice a week. This paves the way for businesses and society reopening.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “We’ve reached a new stage of navigating our way out of lockdown by being cautious and careful to keep the virus under control. However, the rules are only as good as people abiding by them. In the large majority of cases, that has happened, and we thank people for their efforts.

“Schools are now open, people are able to meet outdoors and on 12 April non-essential retail, beer gardens and libraries are to open. That’s real progress which has been achieved by individuals, families and friends taking responsibility for their own actions. You only need to think back to December and January to understand how much effort we’ve put in to getting this far.

“We would ask everyone to continue to take great care and abide by the rules as they change. The virus is still circulating and still presents a danger. We’ve all seen what happens when the virus is given opportunities – we had the rise in cases last autumn followed by the even larger rises in the winter. With more and more people being vaccinated we are consolidating our position against the virus every day – but it is a gradual process, not an overnight event.

“Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it will help us quickly suppress the spread of variants. I would encourage everyone to get tested on a regular basis, even if you’ve had the vaccine.”

One in three people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus without knowing. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately and help stop the spread.

The expanded regular testing offer for people without symptoms will be delivered through

  • Workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home
  • Secondary school and college testing on-site or through home test kits provided
  • Community testing at symptom-free sites
  • Collection of home test kits from any local testing site (symptom (PCR) sites and symptom-free sites)
  • A home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home.

A new ‘pharmacy collect’ service is also launching, which will provide an additional route to regular testing. Testing through all these routes is free.   For further information about the options available, visit NHS.UK/get-tested.


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

Reader's opinions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Current track

Title

Artist

Background