Cheshire East Council is warning local residents the pandemic isn't over following a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases recently.

Latest figures released on the official UK government website (21 March) show the rate of positive cases in Cheshire East has risen to 843 per 100,000 population.

The rate per 100,000 population in the North West is 642 and 780 in England.

The current estimate for the 'R number' in the North West is 1.1 – 1.4 (19 March 2022). This means that, on average, 10 infected people will transmit the infection to 11 to 14 other people.

1. 3 per cent of all positive Covid-19 cases are of the new BA.2 Omicron variant, which is shown to be far more transmissible.

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, stated: "The rise in positive Covid-19 cases recently, not only in Cheshire East but in neighbouring areas, is worrying, although not wholly surprising since restrictions have ended in England.

"Looking at the recent surge in cases across the borough in all age groups, it is clear the pandemic is far from over.

"Sadly, we are also seeing an increase in hospitalisations for people with Covid-19, which is creating additional pressures, especially in our local hospitals.

"Residents should continue to follow the latest Covid-19 safety advice including self-isolating if you develop covid symptoms or test positive, washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, and unless exempt, wearing a face mask in busy, crowded indoor places, especially in healthcare settings."

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "Positive Covid-19 cases were falling right up until the beginning of this month.

"Over the period 15 to 21 March we have seen a 46.7 per cent rise in cases – that's an increase of 1,145 residents testing positive in Cheshire East over the past seven days.

"I am also concerned about government funding not being renewed for the Covid Zoe project run by King's College London, as well as a reduction of £440m for test & trace programmes and public health teams which have been working so effectively on infection control.

"These cuts do not appear to have come at a good time.

"We look after each other by staying safe and it really is in our hands to do all we can to reduce this latest rise of Covid-19 cases."

The UK Government set out its "Living with Covid" plan earlier in the year.

Now, if you test positive for Covid you are no longer legally required to self-isolate, but you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days.

Masks are no longer legally required in most public spaces. They are still required in healthcare settings, such as care homes, hospitals and GP surgeries.

From 1 April lateral flow tests will no longer be free, except for the over-75s and over-12s with weakened immune systems.

Everyone else wanting to take a test will have to purchase them from pharmacies or other retailers.

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