‘COVID and I are both still here,’ warns Sefton Health Chief, Margaret Jones
Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health Margaret Jones said today that she hasn’t gone away and neither has COVID.
With levels of COVID infections in the Borough at the highest level for 15 months Margaret Jones said it was important that people remember the measures needed to avoid getting infected and passing the virus on.
Margaret, who was the public face of Sefton’s response to the pandemic, said: “Everyone will have hoped that COVID had gone away and that they had heard and seen the last of me and I hoped that would be the case too.
“However, COVID is still very much with us, and I am still here to stress that thorough hand washing, ensuring ventilation in busy indoor spaces, wearing masks in crowded areas and sensible social distancing are still key ways to avoid getting infected.
“And, of course making sure we are fully vaccinated with the first and second jab and any boosters we’re eligible for, is vital.
“The NHS vaccination programme means people who have had at least all three jabs and any further boosters available, are far less likely to be seriously ill or need hospitalisation, and it’s still not too late to get one.
“All you need to do is call 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.”
Mrs Jones went on to say that despite the protection the vaccinations provide, there are still those form whom contracting COVID could have major consequences.
She added: “Remembering the simple measures could help keep you, and them, safe.”
Recently one of the UK’s most senior health officials Dame Dr Jenny Harries, who last year praised Sefton for doing a ‘brilliant job’ dealing with the COVID variant that first emerged in India, urged people to wear masks in crowded places. She said the latest the wave of infections is a result of the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 and is “quite likely” to rise.
Last week the 200,000th UK death from coronavirus was reported by the Office for National Statistics.
People can find the Government’s latest advice on living safely with COVID at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Margaret Jones added that families that are struggling from the impact of the COVID pandemic and the rising prices of fuel, food and other essentials may be able to find help with one-off costs through Sefton Council’s Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme (ELAS). Details are at www.sefton.gov.uk/elas