'Covid hasn’t gone away': Concern as three Derbyshire areas report rise in cases

Director of public health Dean Wallace says residents should continue to be vigilant and ‘stay apart, wash hands regularly and wear a face covering’ after Bolsover, Amber Valley and the Derbyshire Dales saw a rise in cases.

Bolsover saw a rise to 27.3 cases per 100,000 in the seven days up to April 22, up from 14.9 in the previous week; in the Derbyshire Dales the infection rate crept up from 6.9 to 18.0 over the same period and in Amber Valley the increase was from 7.8 to 10.9.

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Mr Wallace said in a statement: “We continue to closely monitor the situation across Derbyshire and would always expect to see some fluctuation in numbers at local levels.

“As the rates across Derbyshire are relatively low, even a small increase in numbers can have a large impact on the rate in a local area but I’d like to reassure residents that we are doing everything we can to stop the spread, including speaking to residents who test positive and their close contacts to remind them of the importance of self-isolating.

“If people have symptoms it is important they do not leave their home for any reason and order a test online at www.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-test or by ringing NHS 119.

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“People without symptoms should also get tested regularly as 1 in 3 people can have the virus without any symptoms. Everyone can now collect rapid tests from their local pharmacy or order them through www.gov.uk to test themselves twice a week.

“And of course it is crucial that people get both doses of the vaccine when they are called as this is a huge step on the roadmap out of restrictions. And while restrictions have eased, I’d like to remind people that Covid hasn’t gone away and it is still important to keep following the government guidance to stay apart, wash hands regularly and wear a face covering.

“It’s great to meet friends and family again but please remember this should only be outdoors with up to six people or two households.”

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