Nottingham City Council is urging people in Nottingham to follower stricter guidelines to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
It follows a dramatic increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in Nottingham as well as a rise in the rate of infection.
The city is expecting the Government to introduce tougher rules in Nottingham later this week – similar to those introduced in other cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
Ahead of that, the city council is asking people to take urgent steps now to not mix indoors with people from other households.
Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health for Nottingham: “We are seeing a dramatic increase in Covid-19 cases in Nottingham. Our rate of infection is now rising higher than many other parts of the country.
“This is a significant and worrying change.
“It means the measures we currently have in place are no longer enough to stop the spread of the virus in our city. We will have to do more to keep people safe in Nottingham.
“We would urge people to take action now and not mix indoors with people from other households. It remains OK to mix with those in your support bubbles unless someone has tested positive or has symptoms.
“We would ask people who have symptoms of Covid-19 – high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – to self-isolate immediately and book a test by calling 119.
“And we strongly advise young people, including students in the city, to remain in their social bubbles and not mix in their homes with people from other households.”
Cllr David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, added: “It is important to remember that there is no vaccine for Covid-19 at present. Our best defence is to wash our hands, wear a face covering and maintain social distancing. It is important to acknowledge that the majority of people are following the correct behaviours and playing their part in keeping our city safe – and we thank them for this.
“However, it is clear from the rate of infection that we must take more precautions. Nobody can afford to be complacent. Everyone needs to ask themselves, ‘am I doing enough to guard against a disease that could harm me, or the person next to me or my loved ones?’ If not, you need to change your approach and stick rigidly to the rules, if we are to see a reduction in the number of cases that are currently sweeping through our city.
“This will not be easy for any of us. We have been living with Covid-19 in our city and our communities for over eight months.Our lives have been restricted, we feel inconvenienced, and we all have worry and anxiety over our health and wellbeing. Some of us, sadly, may have lost loved ones to the virus.
“We are reaching a critical point in managing the spread of the virus as we head towards winter. So, we have to keep going. We have to continue to work together by sticking to the rules and following a few important rules and guidelines. This will help to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Nottingham.”
Latest figures for Nottingham City show an infection rate of 382 per 100,000 of the population. The most recent data for the city can be found here: https://nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-surveillance-reports/
ENDS
For more information, please contact the city council’s Communications Team at communications@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors
When should I get a test?
Get a Coronavirus test if you have any of the following symptoms:
• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you don’t have symptoms, do NOT book a test. You do NOT need a test even if:
• your employer, school, or travel company has asked for a negative test
• someone in your household has symptoms
• you have been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus
• you have been abroad and are quarantining
Book a test by calling 119 or online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Diverse languages and easy-read help
Nottingham is a diverse city with many languages spoken. To support as many people as possible with information on Covid-19, there is a dedicated translations page on the city council website.
This includes translated information on:
• Important behaviours
• NHS Guidance
• Test and Trace
• Face coverings
• Covid-19 symptoms
This information is also available in easy-read formats, audio and British Sign Language.
Visit: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus/translations
Protect your loved ones. Download the app
The free NHS Covid-19 app is the fastest way to see if you’re at risk from coronavirus. The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.
Once you have downloaded it onto your phone, the app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy.
Go to the app store on your phone and search for the NHS Covid-19 app.
Visit: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-covid-19/