Tameside residents are being urged to stay Covid cautious, with the borough's infection rate reaching its highest level since the pandemic began. 

Rates in Tameside this week were at 678 per 100,000 of the population, which equates to approximately 1,500 new cases in the last seven days.

Bosses also expect cases, hospital admissions and deaths to further increase now that national restrictions have been lifted and say health and public services are already "coming under increasing strain" from the number of cases and people having to self-isolate. 

The council has issued a reminder of some of the key things people can continue to do to protect themselves and others, as well as help keep local services running: 

• Keep washing your hands
• Take a symptom-free COVID-19 lateral flow test twice a week
• Take the vaccine when you are offered it and make sure you get both doses
• Remember that some people are more vulnerable than others – be considerate
• Wear face coverings in enclosed spaces and on public transport
• Where possible, meet friends and loved ones outdoors
• Try to open the windows to let in fresh air
• Continue to work from home if you can

The council's leader is warning people in the borough that the freedoms afforded by the relaxation of measures "comes with serious responsibility" and that the current situation is "likely to get worse" towards winter. 

"The pandemic has been hard for everyone," Councillor Brenda Warrington said. "We all want to be able to return to seeing loved ones and doing the things we enjoy - having BBQs with friends, going to the pub or a restaurant, going to the theatre and feeling a sense of normality. But, as our climbing rates show, covid has not gone away, you or your family and friends could become severely unwell or pass on the virus to someone without knowing.

"So the freedom gifted to us from lifted restrictions comes with serious responsibility. We anticipate that a rise in hospitalisations and deaths will follow this latest increase in cases. This will be far lower than seen in previous waves – thanks to the success of the vaccines currently in use which are weakening the link between infection and severe illness and death. However vaccines do not completely break the chain – they are not 100 per cent effective for everyone, and so we all have a duty to do what we can to protect one another.

"Health and public services are coming under increasing strain from the sheer number of infections and people isolating. This is likely to get worse as we move into the winter season and the usual pressures that brings even without covid. We must all keep doing our part to make sure we keep driving down infections." 

The council is also urging people - particularly those eligible under the age of 30 - to get jabbed as soon as possible. 

"It’s especially important to get both doses of your vaccination," Cllr Warrington said. "We’re especially keen to encourage 18-30 year olds to get vaccinated, and remind them this will help them stay well enough to get to all the events, activities and holidays they are planning this summer while also reducing their chances of getting long covid, which is a very real risk.

"Thank you to everyone for your continued support in doing everything you can to protect yourselves and each other and supporting your local community as we all take our next steps forward in managing this pandemic." 

More information on testing and vaccinations can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/coronavirus. 

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