Covid-19 situation in Warrington ahead of lockdown roadmap

It was imposed back on January 5 in an attempt to bring spiralling rates of Covid-19 infection under control and to flatten the curve of new cases.

Since then, case numbers in Warrington have fallen substantially, and after a sharp rise, coronavirus hospital admissions are starting to settle.

Ahead of any announcement on what will replace the lockdown, whether that be a return to the tier system or a new method of keeping the virus in check, here is the Covid-19 situation in Warrington.

How many new cases are being recorded in the town?

Case numbers in Warrington are at their lowest point since December 13, according to Public Health England.

During the seven-day period up to February 14, a total of 369 new cases were recorded in the town.

The asymptomatic coronavirus test centre at the Halliwell Jones Stadium

This a rate of 175.7 for every 100,000 residents, which is the 70th highest in England compared with all other local authority areas.

In comparison, there were 493 positive cases recorded in the previous week up to February 7 – a rate of 234.7 per 100,000.

How is Warrington Hospital coping?

As of Friday, Warrington Hospital was caring for 137 patients that had tested positive for Covid-19.

Of this number, 12 were in the Lovely Lane site’s intensive care unit.

The virus death toll at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was 453.

Meanwhile, the number of patients that had been discharged from hospital after recovering from Covid-19 was 1,692.

Warrington Hospital

What is the progress of the town’s vaccination programme?

Vaccinations in Warrington continue to be delivered at pace.

According to the latest data issued on Friday morning, around 54,000 people in Warrington had received their first dose of the vaccine.

Great strides have been made to offer a jab to all people in the top four priority groups.

Among the people who fall under these categories are residents and staff in care homes for older adults; all those 80 and over and frontline health and social care workers; all those 75 and over; and all those 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.

Of the town’s residents aged 80 and above, 95 per cent have been vaccinated – the same percentage as those aged between 75 and 79.

The percentage of those aged between 70 and 74 that have received their first jabs is 93, with 85 per cent of the town’s health and social care workers receiving their vaccine.

Health bosses in Warrington say they are pleased with the progress on vaccination so far, and attention is turning to how to get in touch with those who have yet to have a vaccine and are in the top four categories.

Attempts will be made to get in touch with them again to offer than a jab, while people in the over 65 categories are also now in the process of being contacted.

So are patients aged between 16 and 64 who are classed as vulnerable to Covid-19, therefore in terms of cohorts, this means that cohorts one to six are now open.

The Covid-19 vaccination centre at Warrington Islamic Association in Bewsey

What can we expect during the Prime Minister’s roadmap announcement?

The priority set out in the roadmap is expected to be the safe reopening of schools, with these set to be the first to reopen.

This, it is being reported, will be followed by the reopening of non-essential shops and a relaxation of rules on outdoor recreation and socialising.

A number of possible dates for the reopening of hospitality have been suggested, including between the Easter weekend and May, but this could be outdoors only to begin with.

Ahead of the roadmap, bosses at Warrington Borough Council are preparing for any relaxation of lockdown.

Schools are already making plans for any reopening, with March 8 being widely assumed as the date by which many pupils will return.

It is still to be decided if all pupils would go back on that day, some year groups, or just primary schools, but head teachers in Warrington are already busy making plans.

The council will also monitor any decision on the reopening of non-essential retail.