Hartlepool care homes advised to close to visitors

Hartlepool Borough Council has written to all care homes following a significant increase in confirmed cases in the Borough.

Craig Blundred – Hartlepool’s Acting Director of Public Health – said: “This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, as we understand the importance of visiting for residents and also for their family and friends, but our priority is to protect our most vulnerable.

“Our latest figures are extremely worrying with 70 confirmed cases over the past 14 days.

“This is a real wake-up call that every single one of us must stick rigidly to the safety rules.

“If we all play our part, we will start to see our numbers decrease again but if we don’t, they’ll continue to rise and this could have a significant impact on our vulnerable residents.”

 

To keep yourself – and Hartlepool – safe:

• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds
• Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed public spaces including in shops, indoor venues and on public transport
• Keep your distance – two metres wherever possible – from people you don’t live with or who are not in your ‘bubble’

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• A loss of, or change to, your sense of taste or smell

If you have symptoms, no matter how mild they are, you should book a free test online or by calling 119.

Do not get a test if you don’t have any symptoms.

• Anyone told to self-isolate after a positive test MUST complete the full period of self-isolation by staying at home
• If you're told you've been a close contact of someone who has tested positive you MUST self-isolate for the full 14 days even if you've had a negative test