The next few weeks will prove ‘absolutely critical’ in the fight against coronavirus, Trafford’s Director for Public Health has warned.
Eleanor Roaf gave an update to Trafford council’s public engagement board meeting and revealed 40pc of Trafford’s adult population has already had at least their first dose of a covid vaccine – but said ‘we’re not out of the woods yet’.
The health boss explained more than 100,000 people have now had either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech jab across the borough, which she labelled ‘fantastic news’.
But Ms Roaf urged residents to remain patient, at least for the next few weeks.
She said: “Our rates after having gone up over last couple of weeks are going down again. We have just two wards with rates over 100 per 100,000 people, but cases are still spread across the borough.
“We’re back in the situation we were in mid-September, we’re not seeing the rates we did last summer.
“Covid is still a very real risk and people do need to be particularly careful. We do need to encourage people to stick to the rules and meet outdoors.”
Ms Roaf said she understands that everyone is likely excited at the prospect of parts of the hospitality industry and shops reopening next week – but emphasised the need to remain careful, just for a few more weeks.
She said: “We’re still not out of the woods with Covid, we do really need to be very, very cautious.
“A huge thank you to everyone in Trafford for sticking with it. I’m so impressed by how well our population has been keeping on with this – so congratulations all, but we need to keep going and actually these next few weeks are absolutely critical for making sure that we do get on top of this.
“If you did have plans to meet someone outdoors but you think it’s too cold, don’t meet them indoors – just wait on, give it a few more weeks.”
The health boss also thanked those who have already had their vaccines.
She said: “Thank you so much to everyone who has been vaccinated, that’s a fantastic thing you’ve done for yourself, that is the best way you can protect yourself, your friends, your families, please go for your second dose.”
Across the borough, the uptake for the second dose of the vaccine has been lower than for the first.
Ms Roaf explained last week the vaccine is a double dose one ‘for a reason’ and encouraged all those eligible to take it up.
Those eligible for the vaccine currently are all those in vulnerability cohorts one to nine – those over the age of 50, carers, people who live with someone who is immuno-compromised (including those undergoing chemotherapy) and those working in front-line care roles.
If you are in one of those categories and haven’t had your vaccine yet you are encouraged to contact your GP.
