THE past week saw the welcome reopening of Warrington’s pubs, restaurants, shops, hairdressers and beauty salons in the latest step in lockdown easing.
A long period of lockdown and huge progress in the national vaccination programme saw a gradual falling of coronavirus case numbers and infection rates.
This allowed the Government to move onto the next step of its roadmap out of lockdown, with many residents returning to the town centre and other local businesses to shop or have fun.
But what impact has this had on the Covid-19 situation in Warrington?
How many new cases are being recorded?
The number of new coronavirus cases recorded in Warrington rose slightly in the latest set of figures from Public Health England.
Data showed that in the seven days before April 11, which is the most recent period for which data is available, 76 positive Covid-19 tests were returned in the town.
This is a rate of 36.2 infections for every 100,000 residents – the 63rd highest level in England.
By comparison, 58 new cases were recorded in the week before April 4 at a rate of 27.6 per 100,000.
Warrington was one of 103 local authority areas in England which saw a rise in Covid transmissions during this time, while 198 experienced a drop and 14 were unchanged.
How is Warrington Hospital coping in terms of Covid patient numbers?
The downward trend in patient numbers continues at Warrington Hospital, with a further five discharged on Friday after recovering from Covid.
It means that since the start of the pandemic, 1,956 patients have been discharged from the hospital after beating the virus.
On Friday, the Lovely Lane site was caring for 25 people that have contracted Covid-19, of which three were in the intensive care unit.
In addition, no new deaths had been recorded for a fourth consecutive day, meaning the virus death toll at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust remained at 495.
Is the town’s vaccination programme still progressing well?
Almost two-thirds of adults in Warrington have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, the latest figures reveal.
NHS data shows that 108,691 people had received one vaccine jab by April 11 in the town – equivalent of 64 per cent of those aged 16 and over.
Of those vaccinated, 80,833 were aged 50 and above, which is 98 per cent of the age group.
It means 27,858 people aged between 16 to 49 have received a first dose of the vaccine.
A total of 23,485 second vaccine doses have also been administered in Warrington since the vaccination programme began.
The NHS in Warrington is currently focusing on ensuring people who had their first vaccine doses over the past 12 weeks receive their second dose, as well as trying to keep up the momentum in administering first doses in the town.
Residents aged 45 and over are now able to book their jabs via the NHS website.
What is the council saying following the latest easing of restrictions?
Warrington Borough Council is encouraging people to take practical steps to enjoy a Covid-safe visit to Warrington town centre.
It says that everyone has an important part to play in helping businesses to reopen safely and in protecting each other.
This includes remembering the basics of ‘hands, face, space’, washing or sanitising your hands often, wearing a face covering and maintaining social distance when you have to your leave home.
Steve Park, Warrington’s director of growth, said: “It is an exciting time as our town centre springs back to life once more, with businesses reopening safely under the roadmap out of lockdown.
“When you come into the town centre for the first time, there may be some changes all aimed at keeping residents and workers as safe as possible.
“Please also remember the basics of hands, face and space when you are out and about to ensure we can keep the number of Covid cases low in Warrington.”
Every resident in Warrington should get a regular symptom-free lateral flow test twice a week to ensure you are not unknowingly spreading coronavirus.
If you think you may have coronavirus, or you are displaying any symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and book an NHS test by visiting gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119.
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