Council health boss urges “caution” as Covid rates increase locally and nationally

National case rates are also on the increase, while ONS data suggests local rates have risen from 1.3 per cent (one in 77) to 2.0 per cent (one in 50) and are expected to continue to rise — making it more likely residents will come into contact with, and potentially be infected by, Covid-19. 

Ben Anderson, Rotherham's director of public health, is reminding residents to continue to take care when visiting more vulnerable members of the community and that it is not too late to get their Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters.

He said: “Vaccination has significantly reduced the impact of Covid-19, but it is still a nasty disease that can have long lasting effects on people’s health. 

“We are urging everyone who is not fully vaccinated to get up to date as soon as possible to ensure that we keep the impact of this wave on the population as low as possible.

“For those who have already had three or more doses of the vaccine you are far less likely to be seriously ill or hospitalised by the virus, but you can still be infected and pass the virus on to others. 

“For these reasons it is still important to minimise contact with others if you have viral symptoms and to continue to keep good hand washing and hygiene practice.

“Recently, West Yorkshire hospitals have seen a significant rise in the number of Covid-19 patients being admitted. Locally we continue to have between ten and 20 patients with Covid-19 in Rotherham hospital at any time, and we continue to monitor this as the current wave passes.”

Further advice and guidance is available on the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.