MORE than 6,000 homes in Parr have been targeted with advice about testing and vaccinations in a bid to reduce COVID-19 infection rates.

St Helens Borough Council says it is committed to responding to rising coronavirus cases across the ward and sent out a specialist surge rapid response team to tackle the ongoing problems.

The council’s plans to tackle cases follow news that it was deemed an enhanced response area (ERA), and while this is no longer the status of the area, the ERA team will remain in St Helens for the next two weeks to support continued community activity that has helped tackle the continuing high rates of COVID-19.

The latest data for the past seven days, up to Friday, July 23, has shown that St Helens' numbers have fallen slightly but still remain high at 435 cases per 100,000 people and there are currently 34 people in hospital with COVID-19.

Cllr Anthony Burns, cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and heritage, said: “St Helens Borough was the only place across the Liverpool City Region to get this kind of support to help us target areas where cases continue to remain high, alongside lower rates of vaccination uptake.

“This was one of the benefits we were able to get as an ERA that is helping to really drive our message around regular symptom free testing and getting vaccinated, as ways we can reduce our rates of transmission.

“Thank you to the vast majority of residents of Parr who were polite and supportive of our testing teams at the weekend.

“The work they are doing is vital to help us bring down our rates of COVID-19.”

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He added: “It can be difficult for our teams to talk to people about this as we know it’s sensitive.

“We’ve seen our local contact tracing team and testing crews experience a small amount of negativity about the work they are doing but it’s important to remember they are just doing their job.

“We know from hearing people’s views about the lifting of restrictions that many people are still not ready to return to life before COVID-19 so please, be kind and considerate of others and how they feel in busy spaces.”

Next, the surge rapid response team will be focusing on Clock Face and Earlestown with teams calling at homes offering symptom-free test kits.

Ruth du Plessis, director of public health at St Helens Borough Council, added: “This weekend, the team will not only be calling at homes to deliver the symptom-free test kits but will be returning later in the day to check up with those who took them and haven’t tested to make sure they have been able to carry out the test at home and provide at home PCR test kits for anyone who does test positive.

“This approach seems to have made a difference in other parts of the country in helping to bring rates down, keep people out of hospital and protect the NHS.

“We’re now taking this approach as we want to encourage people who maybe haven’t tested before at home to give it a try.

“Testing regularly is a great way to know your risks and helps to pick up cases before they become symptomatic and reduces the risk of spread to others.”

To find out more about testing, including how to order your own home test kits or book a test if you have symptoms - including a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of taste or smell - visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/letsgettested