People in Liverpool are being urged to “minimise spread as much as possible” as high levels of seasonal illnesses circulate, but mask wearing won't be mandatory on public transport.
Liverpool Council has offered health advice as people across the city return to school and work while winter sickness soars - placing an enormous weight on the stricken NHS services across Merseyside. High levels of flu-like illnesses have been circulating recently as the country battles one of the largest scarlet fever outbreaks for a number of years, with Covid-19 cases also expected to rise in the weeks to come.
Cllr Frazer Lake, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, said that these illnesses can add to the “real pressure on our local health services.” He added: “With children returning to school and nursery this week after the Christmas break, it’s important to minimise the spread as much as possible.”
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Ways to stop infections spreading include showing children how to wash their hands properly, catching sneezes in tissues and for people to get protection via the flu jab. The information from Liverpool Council comes off the back of advice shared by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as the country combats high levels of winter illnesses during the festive period.
Part of the advice from the UKHSA is for adults to try and stay home when unwell. Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at the Government body, said that “if you do have to go out, wear a face covering,” adding: “When unwell don’t visit healthcare settings or visit vulnerable people unless urgent.”
While it has been suggested that people wear masks when “unwell” and leaving the house, train and bus companies in the region told the ECHO that they are continuing to follow Government guidance regarding mask wearing on public transport, rather than the latest advice. A spokesperson for Arriva buses said: “In line with this guidance, there is no requirement for drivers or passengers to wear face masks on our services.”
The region’s other major bus operator, Stagecoach, will also not be re-introducing mask wearing measures, noting that it “constantly monitors health authority guidelines relating to public transport, however the latest advice, which has been reiterated by No 10, states that mask wearing is not compulsory.”
It is a similar case for the region’s trains, with Merseyrail continuing to follow the official Government guidance on mask wearing. A Merseyrail spokesperson said: "While the statement issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) yesterday was advisory for members of the public in regards to children returning to school, the current National guidance for train passengers remain unchanged.”
The high levels of seasonal illnesses, such as flu and a widely reported ‘lurgy’, have arrived when NHS services in Merseyside are facing enormous demand. Only last week Liverpool and Wirral hospital trusts warned people not to go to A&E unless their condition is life threatening, such is the level of crisis trusts are currently confronting.
Recent eyewitness accounts in A&E departments describe patients having to lie on the floor while they await treatment. People as old as 92 have also been left in trolleys for 33 hours while waiting for a bed to free up.
The country has also been battling one of the largest outbreaks of scarlet fever in recent years, which is a manifestation of the Strep A infection. Hundreds of cases had been reported across Merseyside since the summer, but there has been a more positive outlook in recent weeks in terms of new infections.
From 14 August 2022 to 25 December 2022, 330 scarlet fever cases were recorded across Merseyside, 130 of which were in Liverpool. Data from NOIDs reports show that mid November to the start of December was the peak of new infections, but only one case was then recorded across Merseyside from 5 December until 25 December.
With children returning to school in Liverpool from today, Liverpool Council is urging people to take the necessary steps to minimise the spread of winter illnesses. Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, Cllr Frazer Lake said “Winter illnesses are still circulating at high levels – this includes Flu and Covid-19, which are likely to increase in the coming weeks.
“High numbers of scarlet fever, which is caused by group A strep are still being reported too. There is real pressure on our local health services, so with children returning to school and nursery this week after the Christmas break, it’s important to minimise the spread as much as possible.
“There are simple things we can all do to help stop these infections spreading, such as showing our children how to wash their hands properly with soap and warm water and how to catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue. Vaccination does remain the best protection against Flu, and it’s not too late to get your child vaccinated. Flu can be unpleasant and lead to more serious illnesses, so getting vaccinated will not only protect your child, but other people around them.
“As ever, if you feel that your child is seriously unwell, you should always trust your judgement – so contact NHS 111 or your GP if your child is getting worse and call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency.”
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