People in three parts of Liverpool told to 'urgently' get tested for Covid
The Greenbank, Picton and Riverside areas account for around a fifth of all cases in Liverpool
Anyone living in three Covid-19 hotspots in Liverpool are being urged to get tested as soon as possible to break the chain of infection.
Greenbank, Picton and Riverside had a total of 335 cases in the seven days up to 26 June, accounting for around one in five of the 1,826 confirmed infections across the city over the past week.
The latest weekly rate of Covid-19 in Liverpool is 366 per 100,000 population and the latest positivity testing rate is nine per cent, putting the city close to the top 10 areas in the country.
More than 70 per cent of cases are now in people aged under 45.
It is having a knock-on effect for schools, hospitality and employers with thousands of people who have come into contact with those with the virus having to self-isolate.
Residents in these areas are now being asked to:
• Get a rapid (Lateral Flow) Covid-19 test by this coming weekend
• If it is positive, self-isolate and follow it up with a confirmatory PCR test
• Get two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine - call 119 or book online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
• If you have had a positive Covid-19 test, wait 4 weeks before you book a vaccine appointment
Anyone who has any of the common symptoms of Covid-19 such as a fever, a cough or loss/change in taste of smell should always get a PCR test.
People can access testing in the following ways:
• The city’s community testing sites - locations can be found at https://liverpool.gov.uk/covidtesting
• Picking up home testing kits from local pharmacies https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/#/location/Liverpool/map
• Ordering rapid testing kits online at https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
• At one of the council’s Rapid Response Vehicle mobile testing units (locations are publicised on the council’s social media channels)
The latest Covid-19 infection rates for Liverpool can be found at https://liverpool.gov.uk/covidcases.
Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton, says:
“Rates of infection have rocketed over the last few weeks in those age groups which have not yet been fully vaccinated and is having a knock-on effect for schools, hospitality and employers as people are having to self-isolate.
“This is a stark reminder that Covid-19 has not gone away and still poses a danger to people, so it is absolutely vital we continue to do everything we can to keep it under control.
“We are asking all residents people in the three areas of the city which have the highest rates of infection to get themselves tested in the next three days, as you can have the virus without displaying symptoms and be transmitting it unknowingly.
“Wherever you live in the city, if you are unwell you should get a test rather than just taking a guess. If you have fever, cough or a loss or change in smell or taste, you should self-isolate and get a PCR test so that you can be as sure as you can be that you have or haven’t got the virus. It is a good idea to get tested a couple of times a week if you are out and about regularly.
“We also need to continue to follow the rules around social distancing, handwashing and face covering, as well as limiting our contact in areas with large groups of people.”
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