Health bosses link car sharing to rise in Covid-19 cases in Northampton and Kettering

Commuters across the county told to walk, cycle or drive themselves to work
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Worried health officials believe car sharing could be behind recent rises in the number of Covid-19 cases in Northampton and Kettering.

We revealed yesterday (Tuesday) how the number of positive tests had marked the two towns among Public Health England's top 20 "areas of concern".

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And today the county health department issued a statement confirming several cases in Northamptonshire have been linked to transmission through car sharing and could lead to outbreaks in workplaces.

People have been warned not to share rides on the way to work after a rise in Covid-19 cases. Photo: Getty ImagesPeople have been warned not to share rides on the way to work after a rise in Covid-19 cases. Photo: Getty Images
People have been warned not to share rides on the way to work after a rise in Covid-19 cases. Photo: Getty Images

Rida Elkheir, Public Health Consultant at Northamptonshire County Council said: “We understand that employees have seen many changes and had to make adjustments within the workplace, but these recent findings mean we also need to be careful about how we travel to and from work safely.

“Virus transmission can occur very quickly, particularly in larger settings.

"Following this guidance can reduce the risk of transmission to others and reduce the likelihood of an outbreak occurring within a workplace, which could impact many employees.

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“We would also urge employers to encourage employees to follow the guidance set out on car sharing, particularly when travelling together between different locations within the county and across the region.”

The public are already warned against using public transport unless absolutely necessary. And now Public Health officials are advising people to avoid car sharing with those outside their own households where possible.

They say recommend walking or cycling to your place of work if you can or drive independently rather than share a ride with others.

If you have no alternative to car sharing, everyone in the car should wear a face covering — including the driver — and keep windows open for ventilation.

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Clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning products making sure door handles, seatbelts and other areas that people may touch are cleaned.

Wash your hands thoroughly before entering and after leaving the car.

Strict advice remains not to travel anywhere with others if you have symptoms of Covid-19 — high temperature, continuous cough or loss of or change in sense of smell or taste.

Those with symptoms should immediately self- isolate with their own household and visit nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 to find out how they can get tested.

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People who have had close recent contact with someone with coronavirus must then self-isolate for 14 days, if they are advised to do so by the NHS test and trace service, to help contain the spread of infection.