Health chiefs said they are monitoring the arrival of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Cumbria carefully.
The number diagnosed in Cumbria is fewer than 10, Colin Cox, director of public health for the county, said.
He added: “At present there is no change to our advice but we are monitoring the situation closely.”
Current advice from Cumbria County Council public health:
- Meet outside. It is safer as fresh air blows the COVID-19 particles away. If you do meet inside, open the windows where possible to let in fresh air.
- Take the vaccine when you are offered it. Vaccines significantly reduce the chances of catching COVID-19 and passing it on and of severe illness. Consider whether you and your loved ones are vaccinated and whether there has been time for the vaccine to take effect before being in close contact.
- Remember that some people are more vulnerable than others. The risks from COVID-19 and therefore of close contact are greater for some people. For example, you might choose not to have close contact with an elderly relative at this point, particularly if one or both of you are not vaccinated.
- Minimise how many people you’re in close contact with, and for how long. The more people you are in close contact with the higher the chances of you catching or passing on COVID-19. Longer periods of close contact increase the risk of transmission but remember that even brief contact can spread COVID-19.
- Take a symptom-free COVID-19 lateral flow test twice a week as a precaution, and if you do test positive book a NHS (PCR) test to confirm it. If you do have symptoms, however mild, self-isolate and book an NHS (PCR) test immediately.
- Continue to wash your hands regularly.
- Make space for other people to maintain social distance if they want to.
- You must self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (however mild) or test positive, and do not meet up with others during this time. This is essential to stop any transmission. If people don’t self-isolate, we will continue to see outbreaks in settings and in communities and won’t be able to contain the virus.
