Cheshire East Council asks residents to follow the NHS test and trace system

Cheshire East Council is reminding residents of the urgent need to get tested if they develop any symptoms of coronavirus.

The reminder follows the recent publishing of the council’s local outbreak prevention, management and support plan. This details what steps are being taken to prevent community outbreaks of Covid-19 within Cheshire East, how it would be investigated, managed and contained if an outbreak occurred. 

The plan, detailing how the council is working with its health partners, can be viewed on the council’s website at: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19.aspx

Residents are being asked to play their part by self-isolating if they develop any coronavirus symptoms and booking a Covid-19 test through the NHS test and trace system.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

You may have coronavirus and should self-isolate and book a test if you have:

· A new, persistent cough;

· A high temperature – if you feel hot to touch on your chest or back; and

· A loss or change in normal taste or smell.

What do you do if you develop symptoms?

As part of the NHS Test and Trace system anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus should:

· Self -isolate immediately;

· Book a coronavirus test by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/ – the test can be done either with kit at home or by booking a visit to a mobile testing unit;

· Continue to self-isolate until the test results are confirmed; and

· If you test positive for coronavirus you need to share details and information of who you have recently been in contact with.

If your test comes back negative you do not need to continue to self-isolate and should continue to take extra precautions, such as adhering to social distancing measures and wearing a face covering on public transport.  

What do you do if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace?

You’ll be alerted by the NHS test and trace service if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. This alert will come to you either by text, phonecall or email and you will be given instructions to contact the NHS test and trace service and begin to self-isolate.

You must then self-isolate for up to 14 days, even if you aren’t symptomatic, because it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear.

If you then start to develop coronavirus symptoms you should book a test. If your test is positive, you must continue to stay at home for 7 days. If your test is negative, you must still complete your 14 day self-isolation period because the virus may not be detectable yet.

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: “If you start to feel unwell and develop symptoms of coronavirus the most important thing to do is to start self-isolating and book a test straight away.

“If your test comes back positive to say you have got the coronavirus someone from the NHS test and trace service will get in touch with you and ask you to share information about where you’ve been and who you’ve had close contact with.

“If you are contacted by the NHS test and trace service, because you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, it is equally important you self-isolate and get tested if you start to develop symptoms.

“We are working hard to prevent an outbreak in Cheshire East and everyone has an important role to play in protecting our borough. I urge residents to protect themselves and others by adhering to social distancing measures, to continue to wash their hands for 20 seconds on a regular basis with soap and water and to wear a face covering on public transport. These basic but effective measures are out best method of defence against the virus.”  

By working together to follow official advice we can help to support the NHS and protect the health and livelihoods of everyone in our communities.”

More information about the NHS test and trace service can be found via the council’s website at: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19.aspx

Residents can help friends and neighbours, who do not have internet access, by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.

The council website can be translated into 80-plus languages, so residents who are not confident speakers of English, or whose native language is not English, can still access vital information about test and trace.