Liverpool residents urged to keep getting tested

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Covid-19 rates remain high across the city, but there has been a sharp and worrying rise in both Childwall and Belle Vale wards.

Residents across the city, in particular those who live or work in Childwall and Belle Vale are now being asked to be extra cautious and to take a rapid antigen test (LFT) as soon as possible.

If the LFT result is positive, individuals need to self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test – this is still the case even if double vaccinated.

If the test is positive, help is at hand – find out what support is available by visiting the Liverpool City Council website or by calling the freephone Covid Advice Support Line on 0800 169 3032 – lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

For those experiencing financial problems due to a sudden drop in income as a result of self-isolating, advice on what financial support is available can also be found online.

Cllr Frazer Lake, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health said “Hospitalisations from Covid-19 remain high for unvaccinated people, so we all need to do what we can to reduce the pressure on the NHS.

Rates in Liverpool are now as high as they were at the end of January, when we were in national lockdown – so my concern is that rapidly rising infections and overwhelmed hospitals could result in further restrictions being imposed. We can all help slow the spread by getting both doses of the vaccine and by getting tested regularly – something that takes less than five minutes.”

Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool said: “The Liverpool 7-day rate has increased to around 417 per 100,000, but Childwall and Belle Vale wards have jumped to over 600 per 100,000. There is also a worrying rise in the number of over 60s contracting the virus too.

Being double vaccinated remains the best way to prevent yourself from getting seriously ill or spreading it to others – whether or not you’ve had the Covid-19 infection before – so I also urge people to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to keep wearing a face covering in crowded areas or in places where they can’t easily socially distance.”

Liverpool Testing and Vaccination Centres

Rapid tests (LFTs) are for people without symptoms and results are known in as little as 15 minutes. Everyone can access testing at either of Liverpool’s community testing sites – Wavertree Athletics Centre or the ACC with results available in around an hour. Visit the NHS test and trace map for up to date opening hours.

Alternatively take a test at home, using kits collected from local pharmacies – find your nearest location by using this NHS map.

Anyone aged 16 and over can now get vaccinated at a drop-in clinic without an appointment – details of clinics and future locations of the vaccine bus can be found on the Liverpool CCG website.

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