CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has revealed how it plans to prevent and contain any possible coronavirus spikes in localised areas.

It has published its outbreak prevention, management and support plan, which outlines how it will work with partner organisations including Public Health England to protect communities if outbreaks occur.

Leicester became the first area in the country to experience a localised lockdown following a spike in cases.

And the council says that while virus infection rates have fallen in west Cheshire, Covid-19 still exists across society.

A new cross-party, Covid-19 outbreak board will be chaired by council leader Cllr Louise Gittins with the aim of engaging with communities and delivering the plan.

“As part of the community’s response to Covid-19, there have been some inspiring examples of people helping one another, such as the incredible contribution that volunteers have made to supporting people who are shielding,” Cllr Gittins said.

“By establishing our borough’s outbreak prevention, management and support plan, the council continues to play its part.

“It explains how we will protect our communities in the event of a local outbreak, which we hope does not happen.

“In the meantime, continue to play your part to protect the lives of your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues by self-reporting if you have symptoms, getting a test and self-isolating if you test positive or are asked to do so by a contact tracer.”

Ian Ashworth, director of public health for Cheshire West, added: “The UK has passed the peak of transmission of Covid-19 and case numbers are decreasing.

“This has enabled stringent public health and social measures to be adjusted across the UK.

“As the lockdown eases, our outbreak prevention, management and support plan is essential if west Cheshire is to return to normal over the coming months.

“It sets out how we will identify any local outbreaks of the virus and then manage these situations if they arise, protecting lives, the community and allowing the local economy to recover.

“We can all help our community by remembering to wash our hands, avoid large gatherings and keep physical distance. People should get a test and self-isolate if they have coronavirus symptoms.”

If you have symptoms of a persistent cough, fever or loss of taste and smell, call 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus

Protect others by then self-isolating for 14 days.