Extra COVID-19 support deployed to parts of the East of England

Additional support will be deployed to 3 local authorities in the East of England in response to high rates of COVID-19 cases in the region.

From:

UK Health Security Agency

Following the latest review of coronavirus (COVID-19) data, additional support will be deployed from 1 November to Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and Suffolk, in response to high rates of COVID-19 cases in the area.

The decision has been made in partnership with local authorities and is based on the latest data and local insights. Targeted additional support will be provided.

The package includes options for:

• targeted support to maximise vaccine and testing uptake
• extra testing in these targeted areas
• further help for local public health campaigns
• temporary extra measures in education settings

This additional support will be in place for 5 weeks from 1 November to allow for targeted

local action. Pupils will return to school next week as planned.

Local residents are urged to remain cautious and follow the national guidance, including to get vaccinated, wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport, meet outdoors where possible, let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces.

Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Jenny Harries said:

Although we have returned to a more familiar way of life, it’s important we all continue to play our part in controlling the spread of the virus, especially as we move into winter.

Everybody, especially in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Suffolk, can take simple steps to protect themselves by getting vaccinated, wearing face coverings in crowded places, letting in fresh air when mixing indoors and washing their hands regularly.

Getting vaccinated is the best way we can protect ourselves from becoming unwell with COVID-19. I encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward for their jab as soon as possible – whether that’s a first, second or booster dose.

UKHSA data shows that the vaccination programme has substantially weakened the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths. Vaccinated people are far less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms and even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from the virus.