Mayor urges residents to stay home as Bedford's Covid-19 cases pass 10,000 mark

Bedford Borough has had over 10,000 positive cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

According to Government data, there have now been 10,749 positive cases of COVID-19 in Bedford Borough - as of December 22 - which equates to around 1 in 16 people having tested positive for the virus.

The new variant of COVID-19 is spreading fast and it has been estimated that one in three people who have the virus do not display any symptoms.

That is why it’s important that everyone acts like they’ve got it.

Only leave your home for the permitted reasons including work if you cannot work from home, buying essentials or seeking medical attention, or for your daily exercise.

If you are going out, remember to wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering, and make space by keeping at least 2m from others.

If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19- a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss/change to your sense of smell or taste, self-isolate immediately and book a test.

You should self-isolate if:

- you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)

- you have had a positive test for COVID-19

- you live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive

- you are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, the NHS COVID-19 app, your workplace or education setting, or the Local Contact Tracing Team.

It’s really important that you self-isolate when instructed to, and for the full amount of time.

If you are self-isolating there is support available to help people on low income who cannot work from home and will lose income.

Support may be available to you whether you have never claimed benefits before, or if your current benefits are no longer enough.

For more information about this support visit the council’s website.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “Bedford Borough has had more than 10,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and tragically 287 people have died.

“To help slow the spread, we are reminding everyone of the importance of abiding by the lockdown regulations, remembering hands, face, space when you do need to go out, and the vital need to self-isolate when instructed to do so.

“The vaccine rollout has begun. We all need to pull together, play our part, and keep ourselves, our friends and families and our communities safe.”