Coronavirus cases increasing 'consistently' in Thatto Heath

The number of new Covid-19 infections in the area has been steadily increasing in recent weeks.

The latest public health data showed that 23 new cases were recorded in Thatto Heath between September 15 and 21.

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The only area in St Helens that recorded more cases during that period was Earlestown, with 24.

Diagnosed rates of Covid-19 in Thatto Heath was also the second highest in the borough, behind Earlestown, with an equivalent seven day rate of 175.8 cases per 100,000 population.

Across St Helens, the infection rate between September 15 and 21 stood at 114.4 per 100,000 people, from 206 cases.

Sue Forster, director of public health at St Helens Borough Council, said: “We have seen the number of confirmed cases increase consistently in Thatto Heath over the last week.

“We are taking targeted action in particular with our licensing and environmental health teams who will be working with businesses in the area to remind them of the new measures.

“Everyone has a role to play by following the St Helens borough measures of not mixing with others at home, even in private gardens, wearing a face mask and social distancing at the school gates and only using public transport for essential purposes.

“It is important that we continue to practice the simple steps of keeping their distance from others, wash hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and wear a face mask in enclosed spaces.”

Washing your hands is still one of the most important things you can do to stop the spread of Covid-19

On Tuesday, a number of new lockdown restrictions come into force following an alarming surge in cases across the region over the past two weeks.

St Helens and the rest of Merseyside, along with Warrington, Halton and parts of Lancashire, are among the areas facing the additional restrictions.

The following regulations have now come into force:

• People should not socialise with others from outside their household or support bubble inside a home or private garden.
• Hospitality for food and drink will be by table service only.
• Late night restrictions for hospitality will be introduced, with leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas required to close between 10pm and 5am.

Residents are also urged to follow additional guidance to help limit the growth of the virus:

• Only use public transport for essential purposes such as travelling to school or work.
• Residents are advised against attended amateur or semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

These measures are on top of those already introduced locally by the outbreak management board, which is chaired by St Helens Council leader David Baines.

These measures are:

• Parents should wear face coverings when they arrive at the school gates to pick up or drop off their children and not gather in groups of more than six at the school gates.
• Temporarily suspend care home visits.
• Reinforcing the need for staggered drop off/pick up times for schools.
• Reviewing the council’s powers to be able to take action against non-compliance with the current legislation.

If you display any of these symptoms – a fever, a new, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – you must isolate for 10 days and get a test, even if the symptoms are mild.

Even if your results come back negative you should continue to isolate as the test is only a picture of your health at that time.

For more advice, particularly if you need support with food and medicine or if you need to isolate, click here or call St Helens Contact Cares on 01744 676767.

To book a test online click here or alternatively call NHS 119.

To view the new restrictions in full, click here.