Salford infection rate drops but public warned “don’t throw caution to the wind”

Infection rates for Omicron may be falling but that does not mean people can drop their guard against the virus, Salford is being warned.

Infection rates have dropped 50 percent in a week but are still higher than they have ever been in the city at 1,328 cases per 100,000 people and 400 new cases per day are still being recorded.

Councillor John Merry, lead member for adult health and social care and member of the Salford Health Protection Board said that while falling infection rates in Salford are encouraging, people must continue to take care to protect themselves and loved ones as well as vital services which are experiencing high levels of staff absences.

“I know everyone is utterly fed up of Covid-19 but we cannot throw caution to the wind at this point as the virus is sadly still in our communities,” he said.

“Omicron spreads more rapidly than any other variant so far and although some people just get a mild illness, many others end up taking time off work, spend shorter periods in hospital and, sadly, some people are still dying. Please don’t put yourself, work colleagues, your family and friends at risk by dropping your guard now.

Councillor Merry also urged ‘thousands’ of Salfordians who have not yet had their three doses of the vaccine to come forward now.

“Vaccinations can’t stop you getting Covid but they reduce your odds of being very sick or ending up on a ventilator,” he said.

Gillian Mclauchlan, Deputy Director of Public Health and chair of the city’s Health Protection Board particularly wants to appeal to the many Salfordians who haven’t had their first dose, to better protect them from omicron in Salford.

“It’s never too late to come forward. We have health professionals available in the city to answer any questions and concerns. If you have a query about vaccination or self-isolation, you can contact the Spirit of Salford helpline on 0800 952 1000,” she said.

“Vaccines alone won’t get us through this and it’s still important to reduce the spread of Covid. People should continue to use face coverings, have good hand hygiene, test regularly and isolate and test if they feel unwell. Rapid testing kits are now fully available again on the national portal to order for home delivery and pharmacies are being stocked up.”
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