Southport covid cases rising rapidly ahead of ‘Freedom Day’

The number of covid cases in Southport has exploded in the last month, ahead of restrictions in England ending on Monday.

Data from https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ and https://digital.nhs.uk/dashboards/coronavirus-in-your-area shows that 472 cases were diagnosed in Southport in the week between 3rd and 10th July, a huge increase from the figure of 6 a month earlier.

However ZOE, a healthcare company asking residents to provide health details both with and without covid, believe the true infection rate could be much higher.

Their data suggests that 820 Southport residents will have contracted the virus in the last 7 days, double the official number of 472 recorded cases.

Sefton Council is advising people should continue wearing face coverings in busy indoor spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, continue getting tested if they do or don’t have coronavirus symptoms and continue getting vaccinated as soon as they can.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: “COVID-19 continues to be with us in Sefton and that presence will continue after Monday 19^th July but if we all continue to take the precautions that could protect ourselves and others, we can carefully continue down the path back to normality.”

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said: “It is clear from people’s reaction to the government’s announcement it plans to abandon measures to protect people from COVID from Monday 19^th July that this is causing real fears for a lot of people.

“While some people will want to get rid of masks straight away, others will want to continue wearing them and have every right to do so. Wearing masks have proven to protect the wearer and those people who they come into contact with from catching COVID.

“I know many of us are now double vaccinated and feel safer but despite being jabbed up we can still contract the virus without feeling any ill effects and pass it on to others. This may include those who remain vulnerable to COVID, people with other medical conditions that make them susceptible to illness as well as front-line health workers who are acutely aware of the virus and it effects.

“So, continuing to wear a mask can be seen as an act of courtesy and consideration as much as self-protection.”

Cllr Maher continued: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m as delighted as everyone else that we are edging back to normality, but I think we need to do so in a way that takes everyone’s safety into account and after Monday 19^th, that will mean us making those decisions to protect others.

“People across Sefton have made huge efforts and sacrifices to protect their friends and neighbours, their communities and people working in local business throughout the pandemic and I am confident they will show the same care and kindness.”