The number of Covid-19 cases in our borough is increasing, as it is just about everywhere in the country.
In response to this increase, Wokingham Borough Council is launching In It Together – a campaign to help everybody keep to the Covid-19 rules and slow the spread of infection.
It will focus on how the borough council and its partners are working together to reduce the impact of Covid-19 and how everybody can play a part in this.
Leader of Wokingham Borough Council John Halsall said: “Wokingham Borough Council has been proactive to protect its residents throughout the crisis and our communities and schools have responded magnificently to the challenge Covid-19 has brought.
“We face a threat that is not going away, in fact, it is increasing in our borough as it is elsewhere and so we will re-double our efforts and are calling on all residents to do the same: we are all in this together.”
Initiatives that the borough council has tackled since March include sourcing its own PPE, publishing accurate data on outbreaks, buying emergency testing kits, and becoming the first authority in Berkshire to volunteer to run local test and trace services.
It has also worked to help re-open schools safely, and launched a self-isolation payment scheme (see left).
As the number of cases rise again, the borough council is working with partners in the voluntary sector to keep the Wokingham Borough Community Response up and running to help those most vulnerable. The council is also writing those people who were shielded in the spring in order to make sure they have the latest guidance.
Cllr Charles Margetts, the executive member for health and welleing, said: “The coronavirus levels are still below national levels and our test and trace scheme is going well.
“We will keep our schools open, we will work to keep our businesses open.
“To our residents, we ask that you work with us, follow the rules and we should be able to slow the virus down and make it easier for us all, especially if you have to self-isolate.
“We have to work together.”
The borough council is to host a mobile testing unit at Cantley Park in Wokingham today, as well as November 13, 21 and 27. There will also be a site at Prospect Park in Reading.
Attendance at the site will be via appointment/booking only.
If no local appointments are available you may be able to book a home testing kit, or find a booking at a nearby regional testing unit (Newbury and Slough).
Cllr Halsall added: “If we all can change our behaviour and observe the rules as a matter of course we may avoid the worst.
“I am asking everyone to be an evangelist for these rules. In essence the virus is spread through social contact, the more you minimise social contact the less the virus will spread.
“The effort to control Covid-19 and support the vulnerable in the borough has been phenomenal. But the numbers are going up and there are still some people who are not following the rules – and I have to say that they are putting others at greater risk.
“We must all stick together in this – keep to the social distancing rules and, if you have to isolate, please do so.”
Tests can be booked via the national website www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
