Norwood’s councillors have moved to reassure local residents after the discovery of the South African Covid variant in their ward.
The news caused widespread concern across Southport after it was revealed yesterday that the Covid mutation had been discovered in the PR9 area.
Now, the ward’s Labour councillors have sought to calm fears by explaining that the case is actually located in their ward and that while concern is understandable, residents should not be unduly alarmed. They should though be more mindful, as Councillor Greg Myers explained:
“This variant isn’t necessarily more dangerous in terms of the threat it poses to your health but it is more easily spread to others, so increasing risk in that sense. Residents are advised to carry on following the lockdown guidelines, and those who perhaps haven’t been should certainly start doing so now.”
“If before the idea was to stay at home and think twice before making any journeys to ensure they are essential, the advice now is think three times and make certain.”
“Plans are also being put in place for a widespread testing regime. We understand that there will be two mobile units in place at the old Park and Ride on Foul Lane tomorrow, which will be for ward residents only to use.”
“My colleague Mhairi Doyle and I will then be joining a team going door-to-door here offering testing to about 10,000 residents in total. This will begin within the next couple of days once training and logistics have been sorted.”
Councillor Doyle continued:
“These will be PCR tests and we’d encourage everyone to do the test when we call at their home, it’s very quick and simple and you will have the results back in a couple of days. Our third Labour Councillor in Norwood, Carran Waterfield, is very sadly on bereavement leave at the moment or would undoubtedly have been helping us with this.”
“For those residents outside the ward, there are testing facilities at Splash World and also, for those who actually already have Covid symptoms, at the town hall.”
“The council is also doing what it can to offer a support package if anyone then has to self-isolate and the door-to-door tester will be questioning residents about what needs they will have, if so.”
“We’d also call on the government to look at improving the sick pay situation for people directly caught up in this pandemic, they must ensure that those who are meant to self-isolate do not feel forced to ignore it because of money concerns.”
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