RESIDENTS need to redouble their efforts in following the coronavirus rules, Cheshire West and Chester Director of Public Health Ian Ashworth has warned.

Mr Ashworth made the plea speaking at the council's Covid Outbreak Board, as it was revealed that the borough’s coronavirus infection rate has trebled since the end of August.

He said: “We need to do everything we can with this rise to make sure the spread doesn’t increase.

“We have not had a major outbreak [in Cheshire West] but a gradual household transmission.

“We have already seen admissions increase and there is a lag time on this as well. It could be three weeks before we see deaths rise.”

Currently, the rate stands at 31 infections per 100,000 people in the borough.

Comparatively, neighbouring Warrington has an infection rate of 99.5 per 100,000 — now only the 21st highest in the UK.

The Director of Public Health also confirmed that cases are rising fastest in the under-18s and over-70s age brackets.

Last week, council leader Louise Gittins told residents that it was the last chance to stop a local lockdown.

The Labour leader said: “Many people have been observing public health guidance since lockdown was lifted and we have done well to make changes to our lives but we cannot be complacent.

“If we all play our part and make sensible changes to our behaviour straight away, maybe we can avoid having to impose further restrictions this autumn and leading up to Christmas.”

CWAC is asking all residents to:

  • Keep to the rule of six
  • Wash hands regularly
  • Wear a face covering in places where social distancing may be difficult
  • Social distance by two metres in public

If you have COVID-19 symptoms of high fever, continuous cough and loss of taste or smell, get tested by calling 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus. If you have a positive test or are alerted by a contact tracer, play your part to protect your community by self-isolating for 10 days or 14 days.