THE leader of Barrow Borough Council has urged residents to continue with their efforts to limit social contact in a bid to cut rates of coronavirus in the area.
In a message to the community, Councillor Ann Thomson thanked people for adopting the new ‘six people, two households’ advice issued for the Barrow area last week.
It means people should meet in groups of up to six but from no more than two households at any one time.
The measure was one of a number of actions introduced after Barrow recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases in Cumbria for the second week in a row.
Latest figures show it remains the highest in the county with an average of 57 cases oer 100,000 compared to 35 per 100,000 for the whole of England.
Cllr Thomson has now stressed how important it is to continue to follow the new measures to help protect those who are vulnerable and to avoid a more restrictive local lockdown similar to those already seen in locations such as Greater Manchester and the North East.
In addition to the ‘six people, two households’ advice for the borough, additional actions taken by the county’s Public Health experts include:
- Restrictions on visiting at Furness General Hospital
- Restrictions on visiting at care homes to minimise risk to vulnerable adults and people living with physical and/or learning disabilities
- Restrictions on non-essential visits to schools
These measures remain under continual review.
In a message to the community, Councillor Ann Thomson, said: “We know the rate of Covid-19 is once again rising across the UK.
“Here in Barrow, however, we have already been asked to take action to protect our communities and one another.
“Cumbria’s public health experts considered the rates of infection we have seen over the last few weeks and acted quickly on our behalf to help stop the virus from spreading further.
“We are being advised in the strongest possible terms to make sure we follow the ‘six people, two households’ rule.
“I know this isn’t easy. I know families and friends were enjoying the opportunity to reconnect in person after lockdown, but I urge you all to continue to do everything possible to stay within this guidance.
“The rate of infections in Barrow is a significant concern. Following the expert advice now is giving us a chance to turn things around and to make sure the rate of infections starts moving in the right direction.
“I want to thank everyone who is limiting their contact to two households at any one time.
“After an incredibly tough first half of 2020, new restrictions were the last thing any of us wanted. But if there’s one thing we do well as a community in Barrow, it’s pulling together and looking after one another and I know this has been happening in abundance once again this week.
“Sticking to the advice and limiting our social contact is the right thing to do for the whole of our borough. Every one of us has an important role to play in how things turn out for our community and it’s heartwarming to know that people are treating this with the seriousness it needs and deserves.”
