CHESHIRE East's director of public health is advising residents to wear face masks when indoors with people they don't live with.

Latest figures released on the official UK government website last Saturday (October 16) show the rate of positive cases in Cheshire East at a 704 per 100,000 population. This is significantly higher than the rates per 100,000 population in the North West at 458 and 456 in England.

Director of Public Health at Cheshire East Council Dr Matt Tyrer said: "Covid-19 cases continue to rise nationally and hospital admissions are also rising. There are more than one hundred deaths a day in England. These numbers will sadly rise as cases continue to increase if we don't all act now.

"It's not a big sacrifice to make to keep everyone safer. Wear a mask particularly in crowded places such as supermarkets, unless you are exempt.

"Avoid crowded places, especially indoors. Make sure to ventilate well when you are indoors and get vaccinated for Covid and flu as soon as you can, including the Covid booster shot.

"The message to our residents is very clear. Minimise the risks by remaining cautious. It's in our hands to help reduce the spread to protect ourselves and others, and the NHS, especially as we move into the really challenging winter months."

To book or manage your coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination, go to the NHS website at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or phone 119.

For information on where to get tested or pick up home testing kits visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid-testing or to order lateral flow test kits to be delivered to your home visit: www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.