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Half term pandemic warning to North East Lincolnshire parents

Half term pandemic warning to North East Lincolnshire parents

Half term pandemic warning to North East Lincolnshire parents

Health chiefs have made an impassioned plea to parents to help keep Covid-19 out of North East Lincolnshire ahead of half term.

The Council’s Director of Public Health, Stephen Pintus, who manages the area’s response to the pandemic, called on families to be responsible during the October break.

Mr Pintus said: “We’ve got half term coming up. People might be going away, and they might be mixing with people from other areas.

“The vigilance applies just as much in half term as it does when children are in school.

“Please help us to keep Covid out of North East Lincolnshire, and don’t bring it back if you are going away.”

Thousands of children will be breaking up for half term next week, with a minority already on a break, and health chiefs have raised concerns about families holidaying close to higher-tier areas.

Mr Pintus said young people are inadvertently spreading the virus.

“We’re still relatively one of the lowest in the country,” he said. “The increase in cases is largely driven by the younger population.

“They are naturally social animals, out and about and mixing, and that results in a greater potential for transmission. Particularly if people aren’t following those rules around social distancing and hygiene.

“It’s important that people follow the rules, social distance, keeping good hygiene and wear a face mask in crowded public spaces. If everyone keeps doing their bit and following the guidance then we will be able to keep the rates low.”

If your child starts to feel unwell and shows one or all of the symptoms of coronavirus, they will need to stay at home, self-isolate and get a test.

North East Lincolnshire had 213 cases per 100,000 people in the latest week 10 Oct-16 Oct. The average area in England had 96.

It saw 340 cases in the latest week 10 Oct-16 Oct, that was up 151 compared with the previous week and brings a total 1,007 cases to 19 Oct since the start of the pandemic.

There have been more than 700,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and more than 40,000 people have died, according to government figures published by the BBC.

However, these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus and other measures suggest the number of deaths is higher.

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