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Call to play it safe over the bank holiday weekend
29/04/2021
Warning to not let down your guard as COVID is still around
Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend we’re being asked to continue to show the caution that has kept COVID at bay so far this spring. Last week there were just 10 new COVID cases in the Banbury FM area – six in the Easington part of town and 4 in Cropredy, Wroxton and Shennington.
In the week ending April 23 there were 23.9 cases per 100,000 people in the Cherwell District.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Public Health Director, Ansaf Azhar, said: “I’m pleased to say that COVID levels in Oxfordshire have remained stable for the past few weeks. However, the number of people testing positive each week is more than 100, so the virus is still out there. The schools have now returned and shops are fully open and so we are closely monitoring the data locally and nationally to see if there is any sign of change.”
Mr Azhar is also reminding people of the importance of regular symptom-free testing and the range of different testing options available to make this as easy and convenient as possible.
He said: “One of the key ways in which we can control the virus is through testing and I would encourage everyone to get tested twice a week. Anyone can pass on COVID – even those people who have had the vaccine – and so it’s really important that as many people get tested as possible to help us identify positive cases quickly, break the chain of transmission and stop the spread of the virus. Regular testing helps to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. So I would urge everyone, including those who have been vaccinated, to make twice-weekly testing a regular habit.
“Rapid COVID tests are quick and easy, with results provided in just half an hour. And there are plenty of ways in which you can get a free test, from visiting one of our testing centres to picking up a home testing kit from your local pharmacy or having one delivered straight to your door.
Our local symptom-free testing facility at Spiceball Leisure Centre now operates on a walk-in basis with no need to book an appointment. Tests are available weekdays from 7am to 7pm and on Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.30pm. From Tuesday May 4 the testing site will be moving from Spiceball to Banbury United Football Club.
Mr Azhar added: “The bank holiday weekend will provide temptations to stray beyond the national roadmap rules as they currently stand. Please don’t – let’s play it safe and keep Oxfordshire open.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam