Increase in COVID-19 cases in Crewe and Sandbach

There has been a significant increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Crewe and Sandbach areas.

There are various outbreaks, largely related to educational settings, and the council is working closely with schools as well as carrying out additional testing in these areas.

Residents and young people can be reassured that schools across the borough all have effective measures in place and are working hard to ensure pupils can continue to attend school and reduce any further impact on their education.

The council has identified two areas of concern. These are in Crewe which accounts for one in five of all COVID-19 cases in the borough (697 cases per 100,000) and Sandbach (816 cases per 100,000).

The latest case rate for Cheshire East is 472 per 100,000 population, which is higher than the North West rate of 359 per 100,000 and rate for England of 322 per 100,000. In the seven days up to 24 September there were 1,831 positive cases in Cheshire East.

Around half of the people who have tested positive are children and young people aged 0-19 years, with another concerning group being those age 40 to 49, who may well be parents, relatives, or close family friends.

More testing sites will be available in Crewe and Sandbach over the coming weeks. This will be for both symptomatic (with symptoms) and asymptomatic (without symptoms) testing.

Residents in these two areas are strongly encouraged to continue regular twice weekly lateral flow testing, to maintain social distancing, wear a face covering where required to do so and follow the latest public health guidance to protect themselves and others.

Information will be provided as to where testing sites will be located and these can also be found on the council’s testing pages, at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid-testing

Residents are reminded that if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19, which include a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change to their sense of taste or smell, they should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test via www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/.