COMMUNITY INTEREST
NHS NORTH YORKSHIRE ASK PATIENTS TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW REGULATIONS With more people receiving their Covid-19 vaccinations every day, there’s reason to be optimistic about reduced rates of COVID-19 in our communities. However, NHS North Yorkshire and NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are asking people to continue to follow government guidance closely at each stage of the roadmap, even after their vaccinations. With national restrictions continuing to ease, it is still vitally important we continue to slow the spread of the virus. North Yorkshire and York residents are being asked to stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with (or anyone not in your support bubble) and only meet outside. Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser. Wear a face covering when required and let fresh air into your home by York GP and Clinical Lead for the NHS Vaccination opening windows, doors and air vents as much Centre at Askham Bar, Dr Mike Holmes, said: “It is great that we are now able to offer the vaccine to as possible. even more people. Anyone who’s 40 and over can The latest information on the national restrictions now come forward and get the jab. is available, here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can- “New data shows that people who tested positive after having received one dose of the vaccine found and-cannot-do that they were up to 50 per cent less likely to pass NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning on the disease to someone else in their household. Group (CCG) GP Clinical Lead for Primary Care and Population Health, Dr Bruce Willoughby, said; “It is also very important that patients who have “While we are making excellent progress with our had their first jab receive their second when they vaccination programme, we know that we must are contacted. The second dose of the COVID-19 remain vigilant to keep the virus at bay in our vaccine helps to provide longer-term protection.” communities as we continue to protect as many To book a vaccine and check eligibility visit the people as possible. NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ “We know that a vaccine reduces your chance coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ of catching COVID by around two thirds. And in book-coronavirus-vaccination/ addition to all that, you’re up to half as likely to If you have symptoms of Covid-19 including a high pass it on to somebody else that you live with. temperature, a new continuous cough or you’ve “I know we are looking forward to greater easing lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed, in government restrictions but this is no time you can book a test here: https://www.gov.uk/getfor complacency, we still need to keep the virus coronavirus-test under control, while we take the steps, safely, back to normal life. So please remember the basics of hands, face, space, and fresh air. And most importantly if you are invited for a vaccination, please take it.” 16
You can get regular rapid tests if you do not have symptoms of coronavirus, you can book those here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronaviruscovid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirustests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/
