With the number of people testing positive for Coronavirus increasing in Oldham, Liberal Democrat Councillors are urging residents of the Borough to follow national and local guidance to stay safe, help stop Covid-19 spreading, and save Oldham from the possibility of the reintroduction of a local lockdown.

New cases detected in Oldham have almost doubled in just one week.  The latest figures, for the week ending 8 August, show there were 255 new cases detected in Oldham, a rate of 107.5 new cases per 100,000 people.  During week prior to this ending 1 August, there were 137 cases or 57.8 per 100,000.  Leicester was placed into lockdown when it had 135 new cases per 100,000 of population. 

The Liberal Democrats are concerned that if the present rate of increase is not checked immediately that not only will public health be seriously jeopardised, but the local economy too, as the imposition of a new local lockdown will be inevitable in the next few days.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said:  “Many people have been following the local and national guidance, but unfortunately some do not.  Now is the time when we all need to pull together.  We all need to follow this guidance to stop people getting infected and ultimately to beat this disease.  The guidance is there for a reason – it works.  If we all follow the rules, we can reduce the rate of infection and avoid the prospect of a local lockdown, which will be necessary to save lives, but which will have a further devastating impact on Oldham businesses and Oldham jobs”.

The guidance issued recently:

• Limit the number of people you have contact with and work from home where possible
• DO NOT have visitors to your home or garden
• If you must meet people from outside your household, you must do so in an outdoor location, maintaining social distancing and avoiding physical contact
• When visiting shops and when on public transport or in other enclosed or crowded spaces, you should wear a mask.
• Avoid touching your face and wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds. 
• People are also being asked to help protect those who are more vulnerable.

Although those who are younger, or without underlying health conditions, may feel that Coronavirus does not present a major risk to their health, their actions could put others at risk.

If you have Coronavirus, you must isolate and book a test as soon as possible. People who test positive must isolate for ten days, while others in the household must isolate for 14 days as symptoms can take a while to appear.

Visit www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus for our most up to date guidance, or call the dedicated Coronavirus helpline, available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm on 0161 770 7007.

To book a Coronavirus test go to https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call NHS 119.