Self-isolation still a vital tool in fighting Covid transmission

Self-isolate if you test positive

Rotherham Council’s Director of Public Health is encouraging people to continue getting tested for COVID-19 and stress that they must still self-isolate if they have symptoms or a positive test.

There will be changes to the guidance about self-isolation on Monday 16 August 2021, which means people who have been double vaccinated for 14 days or more and children under the age of 18 years and six months will not need to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive. This will also apply to people taking part in approved Covid-19 vaccine trials and those unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons.

However, everyone who tests positive for the virus must still self-isolate for 10 days.

With Covid case rates in Rotherham remaining high, Ben Anderson, Director of Public Health at Rotherham Council is reminding people about the actions we can all take to keep ourselves and our families safe. He said: “Even though the guidance is changing around self-isolation, this does not mean that COVID-19 has gone. More than 50 people are being treated for Covid in Rotherham Hospital today, which is the highest number since March. The virus is still too common in our communities and we need to make sure we do our bit to stop transmission so we can keep case numbers down. 

“The number of new cases remains very high (383.4 per 100,000) and is now rising in the majority of age groups, including those over 50 who we know are most vulnerable to seriously illness, hospitalisation and death.

“With social restrictions removed vaccination remains the most effective, proven way of preventing death, serious illness and transmission. Currently in Rotherham, 85.6% of adults have had at least one vaccination with 77.5% being double vaccinated. There are still over 30,000 adults across the borough who have not been vaccinated so I ask you to book your appointment or go along to one of the Grab a Jab Sessions run by Rotherham NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.

“Even if you have been vaccinated, we still encourage social distancing, regular hand-washing, use of face coverings in crowded places and regular self-testing, especially if you are back at work or socialising more. If you test positive, you must self-isolate.”

Further information about self-isolation, vaccines, testing and general COVID enquiries can be found on the Rotherham Council Coronavirus page.

To book a vaccine or find out more information about a Grab a Jab session, visit the NHS Rotherham CCG website.

National information about Coronavirus is available from the Government's Coronavirus website  

Published: 13th August 2021