Martin Tett, leader of Buckinghamshire Council has cautioned residents not to be complacent in light of the recent rises of Covd-19 infection.
Speaking yesterday he said: “While we still remain in a much better position here in Buckinghamshire than in many other parts of the UK, with lower detected infection rates than in the north of the UK for example, we are increasingly concerned about the rate that cases are rising within the county and in particular within the former South Bucks district area. So now is the time for us to take action. Pulling together and taking responsibility for what we do as individuals will give us the best possible chance of getting on top of this. If we don’t, we all could be in for a really tough time over the coming months.”
“We now have a weekly case rate of 22.8 cases per 100,000 residents. This is from positive test results in Buckinghamshire in the 7 days leading up to 26 September. That is up from 16.9 cases on the previous week, a rise of 35% across Buckinghamshire as a whole. You can see this data in more detail, including the number of cases in your local area, by checking our website.
We are seeing more cases in some areas than others in Bucks. There are currently more cases overall in the Wycombe area than in other parts of Bucks, but more people live there. We also know that cases are currently rising more rapidly in the former South Bucks and Chiltern District areas than in other places. The former South Bucks District area has the highest rate of cases per 100,000 people, currently standing at 35.5.”
As well as following the basics required by the government, he went on to suggest ways that Buckinghamshire could be kept relatively Covid free:
“The more each one of us does to limit the risks, the harder we make it for the virus to spread. The available evidence suggests that the virus is being spread by meeting people we know, particularly indoors. I am not suggesting that we stop meeting family or friends or going out to restaurants, however there are some simple steps we can all take:
- Consider limiting the number of people you come into contact with – the fewer people we see, the less chance we have of catching and spreading coronavirus.
- The risks are much higher indoors. I know the weather has been terrible of late and we’ve had an additional battering from the rain and floods, but, where possible – can you wrap up and meet others outdoors instead of inside. For example, consider going for a walk with friends?
- Always stick to the rule of six – none of us should be meeting in groups of more than six people, including children.
- When you go to the pub or a café or restaurant, make sure you follow the new rules at all times by wearing a face covering, unless you’re eating or drinking and not mingling with other tables even if you see someone you know. Stay seated and move around the venue as little as possible.
- Some areas bordering Buckinghamshire currently have higher numbers of cases – if you go somewhere outside Bucks for work, to shop, to eat or see people, take a look first at what’s happening in that area. You might want to ensure you take extra measures to protect yourself and others.
“Please think hard about how your own choices might impact others. Unfortunately, this is how the virus works. We all have a part to play in protecting the people in our communities who are most at risk from the virus. Our community spirit here in Bucks is incredibly strong, so let’s keep that up and look after each other.”
Financial support if you’re isolating
“If you are on a low income and have been told by the NHS Test and Trace system to self-isolate but you can’t work from home, you may qualify for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment.
Check our website to see whether you qualify and apply.
If you can’t apply online please contact your local Test and Trace Support Payment team on:”
- Aylesbury area: 01296 585 858
- Chiltern area: 01494 732 077
- South Bucks area: 01895 837 515
- Wycombe area: 01494 412 227
Stay safe, protect Bucks
“The last thing any of us wants is for any freedoms to be curtailed even more because of this virus. We want to keep our businesses open and our economy strong. We want to carry on being able to see friends and loved ones safely.”
