MORE Covid support for surge testing, tracing, isolation and maximising vaccine uptake will be deployed in Cheshire West and Chester to tackle a rise in cases of the Delta variant.

The borough, along with Birmingham, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Liverpool City Region and Warrington, will become an 'Enhanced Response Area', the Government has confirmed.

The support package, which is the same as was announced for Greater Manchester and Lancashire last week, is being provided after a number of cases of the Delta variant were detected in the areas, a spokesman said.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are doing everything we can to stop the spread of the Delta variant, and working with local authorities, we are providing a strengthened package of support in areas where cases of the variant are increasing.

“We know this approach has made a real impact in south London and in Bolton where we have seen it stall rising cases.

“I urge people living these areas to get tested, come forward for your vaccine as soon as you are eligible and make sure to get the all-important second jab – that is how we will beat this virus.”

The help on offer for those designated as an enhanced response area includes military support with testing and supervised in-school testing, and greater communication with disadvantaged groups.

Local directors of public health will also be able to reintroduce face coverings in communal areas in schools if they want to.

As part of the government guidance, residents are encouraged to get tested twice a week, minimise travel in and out of the affected areas, avoid meeting indoors. and continue to work from home if possible.

Introduction of this additional support will be led by local authorities to ensure the right steps are taken at the right time.

Support available to local areas will include:

  • Additional resources to help local authorities with testing, logistics, planning and workforce to assist with testing, door-to-door visits to engage with residents and other activities. These may come from the Surge Rapid Response Teams, from military aid or other sources depending on requirements.
  • Wastewater testing samples being prioritised for sequencing.
  • Specialist communications support to increase awareness and focus engagement with disadvantaged groups.
  • Maximising vaccine uptake by expanding existing channels, developing new capacity and increasing local and targeted communications to reach different communities.
  • Supervised in-school testing and discretion to reintroduce face coverings in indoor communal areas and classrooms in schools if they and directors of public health decide it is appropriate.
  • Surge testing and enhanced contact tracing.
  • Enhanced monitoring (genomic sequencing, genotype assay testing).

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “I’d like to reassure residents that the enhanced support package does not represent a local lockdown or a return to a tiered system.

"It offers extra support and guidance on the simple things residents can do to play their part and keep friends and family safe.

"It also helps us put the case to government for more vaccine supplies, to continue to make progress in protecting our communities.”

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We have seen cases of the new Delta variant of Coronavirus increase dramatically over the last couple of weeks in Cheshire, in particular significant outbreaks related to pubs and in our schools. 

“We know what impacts this can have on our physical health, but it also significantly impacts on the mental health of those affected when we see education lost and businesses having to close.

“Having seen the substantial increase in transmission in our neighbours in Greater Manchester, it was sadly only a matter of time before the spread was to be seen across Cheshire given our strong links with friends and family, work and travel.

“Alongside neighbouring boroughs, the government has therefore identified Cheshire as an area to provide additional national support to maximise our own local response and help prevent further cases.

“We know the importance of the vaccine programme, with all the current evidence showing the massively positive protective benefits of having both doses of the vaccine in helping prevent serious illness and hospitalisation of the new Delta Variant.

“We are therefore asking for significant increases in the vaccine supply for our communities and much-improved access to vaccination clinics across our borough, alongside greater levels of testing and self-isolation support.

“We know the importance of keeping to the basics after this last year in terms of hands, face, space and fresh air. In particular we would like to remind everyone where possible to meet outside rather inside wherever you can and to minimise our travel to areas with really high rates.”