Worcestershire's Director of Public Health issues stark Covid-19 warning to Bromsgrove's older people - The Bromsgrove Standard

Worcestershire's Director of Public Health issues stark Covid-19 warning to Bromsgrove's older people

Bromsgrove Editorial 27th Oct, 2020   0

WORCESTERSHIRE’S Director of Public Health has issued a message to older people in Bromsgrove in a bid to keep them safe from Coronavirus.

In it Dr Kathryn Cobain said the number of positive Covid-19 tests was rising and, having spread via younger people, was now affecting older communities.

“This is certainly happening in Bromsgrove and it is very worrying.

“We know the over 60s can be badly affected by the virus, it can make you very poorly, need hospital care and even cause death.




“This of course, leads to pressure on our NHS and creates a rising demand for intensive care beds.

“We need to act now, to prevent this situation becoming any worse. We need your help, to keep you and everyone safe.”


She urged people to help themselves and others by following the Rule of Six, keeping their distance from others, washing hands regularly and wearing face coverings when needed.

“These measures are our best defence against the virus.

“We know it can be hard, keeping a distance from others, avoiding travelling to places, not meeting up with big groups.

“But the virus spreads when we mix and have contact and don’t stay apart.

“Stay local, don’t visit areas with higher levels of restrictions.

“In Bromsgrove, we are close to areas with higher infection rates and these areas are on a higher level of alert.

“If we can stay local, stop visiting areas with greater numbers of infections, we can protect ourselves and others.”

She urged anyone who experienced symptoms of Covid-19 to self-isolate straight away.

Among those symptoms are –

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

 

  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

 

  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

She said anyone who experienced any of those, no matter how mild, should self-isolate and get a test by visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

“Self-isolation means you should stay away from everyone, not go out, don’t leave your home, don’t mix with others.

“Self-isolation is not the same as lockdown.

“If you have a symptom you should not go out for exercise, you need to stay at home, and away from those you live with, so you don’t pass on the virus.”

She added anyone with no family support for tasks such as shopping or getting medicines could contact the county council’s Here 2 Help service for assistance.

Visit worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help for more information.

“I know the situation is difficult, and I want to thank you for all you are doing.

“Please take care of yourself, follow the rules and stay safe,” added Dr Cobain.

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