Following positive COVID-19 cases in the Eden area, people who attended a Penrith pub recently are being advised to get tested, even if they do not have symptoms.
Local contact tracers, with the help of local pubs, have established links between a group of people who visited pubs in Penrith on the weekend of 25th & 26th July, some of whom subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.
A local track and trace process is continuing with the identified cases, but as a precaution, anyone attending the pubs listed below on these specific dates are being advised to get tested for COVID-19.
Station Hotel – Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th July 2020, from opening to closing time on both days.
The Station Hotel alerted Eden District Council about an individual that had been in the premises and has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.
Colin Cox, Cumbria County Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “We are taking a robust approach to this situation because we want to get a grip as quickly as possible. When people are out socialising in pubs there’s inevitably less certainty about what people have done and who they have been in contact with so the approach we are taking reflects that.
“I want to stress that this situation is no reflection on the pub listed and provided pubs follow good hygiene practices, the risk of transmission after the times these people visited is low.”
“In this instance, the pub completed thorough risk assessments in time for opening on 4th July and implemented resulting safety measures to keep all staff and customer safe. The pub operated within government guidelines, but it has been found that some pub-goers did not use the track and trace app as directed.
Last week we explained that up to 20 per cent of contact numbers left at the venues in Carlisle and Eden were either false, incorrect or not legible. This information is absolutely vital to our efforts to stop the spread of the virus.”
Testing is available in Carlisle at Brunton Park until Wednesday 29 July from 10am to 3pm, and at Penrith Rugby Club seven days a week. People can book a test or order a home testing kit at: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test. NHS staff affected should arrange testing via their employer. If testing slots are not available online, it is possible to attend Brunton Park without a booking by car or foot providing you are wearing a mask and observing social distancing.
It is crucial for anyone who tests positive to contact the COVID-19 call centre on 0800 783 1968 to help in important local tracing efforts.
The key public health messages remain:
- Wash or sanitise hands regularly
- Observe social distancing rules
- Wear face masks or coverings in enclosed public spaces
- If you have symptoms, self-isolate and get tested
- Follow advice to self-isolate if asked
