IN the seven days to September 12, there were 106 confirmed coronavirus cases in Cheshire West and Chester — a four-fold increase on recent case numbers — which led CWAC leader Louise Gittins says it now ‘is the time to redouble our efforts’ in following social distancing guidance.

That’s because even a small rise in new cases beyond the current increase presents two major headaches for local authorities.

Testing, testing

The national lack of clarity over testing is having effects in the borough, with residents being sent to sites a considerable distance from the county.

A CWAC Outbreak Board report says community testing has ‘not kept pace with demand’, meaning ‘residents with symptoms, and care homes, are struggling to book tests’.

In the short-term, it’s feared that even a small increase in cases would have a dramatic effect on testing availability in Cheshire — with council chiefs now pleading the government for more control over the testing programme.

Cllr Val Armstrong, portfolio holder for public health, said: “We know our communities, we know how far people can travel, and we know demand is going to be picking up.

“We have that local knowledge which is really important to establish any system of testing and tracing.”

She added: “The current system is not working for us and we would do a much better job of it.”

With the system being swamped by demand, the Department for Health and Social Care is pleading the public to only get a test if someone is showing symptoms.

However, Cheshire’s Public Health Board has warned that this still isn’t enough to quash demand to a safe level, as they claim ‘not all symptomatic residents are able to access a test’ in the borough.

Ian Ashworth added: “We will work closely with the Cheshire and Merseyside Testing group to make the most of the testing capacity available to our residents.

Additional testing capacity is essential to help prevent further spread of the virus in Cheshire and Merseyside but also the north west. Currently the north west region has 25 percent of the COVID-19 national cases and yet has access to only 15 percent of the national testing capacity.”

Currently, the DHSC is working towards being able to deliver 500,000 per day by the end of October — more than double the existing level.

Penny for your thoughts

The other issue for all local authorities is longer-term. Simply put, they have a huge financial hole to plug.

CWAC is staring at a £35.6 million loss of income because of the pandemic, and even with emergency government cash, needs another £7.5 million to cover the shortfall.

By law, the council has to pass a balanced budget in the spring — even if more predictable income streams are down.

For example, with 5,830 firms requested help in applying for business rate grants, and the business rate collection is currently down by 14.5 percent, which represents almost £5 million alone.

Questions therefore remain over how CWAC officials will balance the books.

In sum

Throughout 2020, residents have been bombarded with differing messages of what it safe to do. First masks didn’t need to be worn, now they are needed indoors. Up to 30 were allowed to gather, now only six can do so.

But the crucial message coming from both sides of Cheshire’s local authority divide is loud and clear: It really is a critical time if we are to avoid a second wave. Follow the basic guidance, and get tested if you show symptoms.

While that might not be a ground-breaking message for a politician to come out with in the middle of a pandemic, it does reveal a lot about where authorities find themselves — desperately seeking more control, and at the same time trying to devise a plan to ensure the long-term financial health of the council.

All residents are asked to:

  • Keep to the rule of six
  • Wash hands regularly
  • Wear a face covering in places where social distancing may be difficult
  • Social distance by two metres in public

If you have COVID-19 symptoms of high fever, continuous cough and loss of taste or smell, get tested by calling 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus.  If you have a positive test or are alerted by a contact tracer, play your part to protect your community by self-isolating for 10 days or 14 days.