MORE than six million items of personal protective equipment (PPE) have now been bought by Cheshire East Council as it continues to deal with coronavirus.

With PPE needed to support the adult social care sector in particular, the council has also received more than 280,000 items of PPE from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

And close to 1.5 million items of PPE have been distributed by the local authority to key workers.

Cllr Jill Rhodes, cabinet member for public health, said: “It has been a massive effort and we are all proud of the work our officers are doing and the way they have responded.

“Of real importance is our health teams’ close collaborative work with other council departments, such as adult services, cared for children and procurement, to secure supplies of necessary PPE – and its advice on what PPE should be worn even as government guidance shifts and changes.

"It has been a challenge that our staff have risen to in often difficult circumstances.”

The council has received close to £20 millions from Government to help it tackle Covid-19, but it estimates the virus could cost £56 million in total.

Cllr Rhodes also paid tribute to other CEC and NHS staff working tirelessly in the pandemic.

She said: "Commissioning teams, adult social care and public health staff are working with our colleagues in the NHS to roll out Covid-19 testing and tracing, while supporting nursing homes and care homes – for adults and children – around infection prevention and control.

“Despite the challenges of Covid-19, our public health team is also trying to ensure as many of our health programmes as possible – such as drug and alcohol treatment and smoking cessation – continue as normal.

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"We are also, in parallel to work combatting Covid-19, taking part in emergency planning exercises to ensure we could deal with any potential major incident occurring at the same time as the pandemic.

“I am proud that council staff are working innovatively, collaboratively and with real dedication to continue to deliver for residents to protect lives and people’s health and wellbeing.”