Lockdown restrictions on shops, businesses, outdoor visitor attractions and places of worship are gradually relaxed, the city’s director of public health is warning people in Leicester that the coronavirus epidemic is far from over.
In the last two weeks, Leicester has seen a sizeable increase in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 – so it’s vital that everyone in the city continues to stay at home as much as possible, maintains social distancing, and washes their hands regularly to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus.
Latest figures (16 June 2020) from Public Health England show that 2,494 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Leicester since the start of the epidemic.
Of these, 658 cases were reported in the last two weeks.
And while some of this increase could be down to the wider availability of testing, Leicester’s public health team is now looking into what else could be behind the upward trend.
Ivan Browne, director of public health at Leicester City Council, said: “Although the overall numbers are relatively small, we are concerned that the number of cases of Covid-19 in Leicester is increasing.
“Leicester has high levels of health conditions such as diabetes, pockets of deprivation, and a very significant Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic population – and we know that these factors combine to create a high-risk, more vulnerable, population that’s more susceptible to coronavirus.
“That’s why it’s so important that people in Leicester stay at home as much as possible and continue to do what we’ve all been doing for the last few months – and that’s washing our hands regularly throughout the day and keeping two metres away from anyone we don’t live with.
“As the rules are gradually relaxed, and people who have been living on their own can ‘bubble up’ with another household, we must not stop taking those basic precautions. Wearing a face covering in confined spaces and on public transport and in hospitals will also help reduce the risk of transmission to others.
“And while young people may be at less risk of serious illness from coronavirus themselves, they must understand that they could pass the virus on to elderly or vulnerable members of their families – and the consequences for them could be much more serious.
“New data from Public Health England shows that the median age of those infected is now 40 – representing a shift in age to younger working age individuals, compared to the previous period in the outbreak.
“It’s very important to remember that the virus hasn’t gone away – and that we’re still in the middle of an epidemic.
“If we all stay alert and take sensible precautions, we can help stop the spread of this very contagious virus.”
Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, which can include a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, should request a test immediately. A mobile testing unit is at Evington leisure centre until next week, while a permanent testing facility is available at the Birstall park and ride site.
And while the government’s advice continues to be to stay at home as much as possible, those who have to go out, or who want to go out, should make sure they understand what they need to do to keep themselves – and their loved ones – as safe as possible.
Sensible precautions that everyone should follow are set out below:
Before you set off:
If you’re not feeling well, please stay at home. Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, should stay at home and request a test immediately.
Please remember that anyone in the extremely vulnerable group who has been shielding must continue to do so until at least the end of June
Remember that you can only go shopping with people you live with – or with someone you have formed a new support bubble with.
Consider making use of Click & Collect services to avoid having to queue.
Take hand sanitiser and a contactless form of payment with you. Take a face covering with you, if you’ll be using public transport or visiting small shops.
Avoid public transport, if you can. But if you have to travel by bus, or by train, remember that face coverings must be worn on public transport at all times from Monday 15 June. Follow the advice from the operator and respect social distancing rules, keeping two metres apart from other passengers. Avoid handling cash and use contactless payment where possible. Don’t touch your face until you have been able to wash your hands.
Arriving in the city centre or other shopping areas:
Use hand sanitiser after using cashpoints or payment machines in car parks
Keep 2 metres apart from other pedestrians
Use hand sanitiser, if provided, when entering shops – and avoid touching items you’re not planning on buying
Respect queuing systems outside shops and businesses and stay 2 metres behind the person in front of you
Respect one-way systems inside shops
Avoid handling cash – use contactless payment where possible
Clean your hands after touching doors, hand-rails, PIN-pads or other surfaces
Consider wearing a face covering in small shops where social distancing isn’t possible
Practise good personal hygiene at all times:
Always cough into a tissue or into your elbow. Do not spit in the street.
Avoid touching your face, unless your hands are scrupulously clean
Wash your hands frequently (toilets are open at Highcross and on Market Place South) – or use hand sanitiser, if soap and water aren’t available.
More information about keeping safe and reducing the spread of the coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Leicester city council news Release
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