Covid-19 spike: Area of Falmouth has a case rate of over 600 per 100,000
Business leaders in the town are pushing for measures like surge testing and running pop-up clinics to boost the vaccine uptake
Last updated 2nd Jul 2021
Business leaders in a Cornish town hit by a spike in coronavirus are pushing for surge testing.
Falmouth East recorded 44 cases in the seven days to June 26th - a slight fall of six.
However the case rate currently stands at over 600 per 100,000 people.
That is one of the highest across the south-west.
Outbreaks and staff having to isolate have already forced some businesses to close.
The BID team says it is working with local councillors on ways to tackle the problem.
That includes pop-up clinics to boost the vaccine uptake among young people.
According to the BBC, Cornwall Council is monitoring the situation when it comes to surge testing.
BID Manager Richard Wilcox said: "Over the next two or three months, Cornwall is going to receive anywhere between two and three million visitors as we hit peak season and move through into the early Autumn.
"And so what we want to do is give businesses, in particular, as much opportunity to trade as possible; they're living on a knife edge at the moment.
"They're a phone call away from a member of staff having to self-isolate which then puts many of the smaller businesses in an under-staffed situation and that clearly is not a viable working solution for hundreds of businesses just here in Falmouth".
Officials have dismissed claims that the area's recent spike in cases is linked to the G7 Summit.
Cornwall Council has said the number of young people who have not received their vaccine could be a contributing factor, as well as the influx of visitors during half-term
Richard Wilcox would not be drawn on the origins of the rise, however he said the town wants to get on top of the situation so it can welcome holidaymakers.
"We're welcoming the visitors to Cornwall, I mean it's fantastic for business.
"We look forward to being able to provide them with a fantastic visitor experience but in order to do that, we need to get on top of this current spike so that we can do everything possible to really showcase the fantastic town and area too them".
Falmouth BID Manager, Richard Wilcox
A pop-up clinic is offering first dose Pfizer jabs to all adults without an appointment.
It is being held at the Falmouth Health Centre on Friday 2nd July from 9am to 5.30pm.
Patients are being asked to turn up at the outpatients' department in Trevaylor Road, but not to contact the health centre.
NHS Kernow's chairman Dr Paul Cook said: "Cases are increasing in Cornwall, and on Friday people in Falmouth and Penryn can protect themselves against COVID by getting vaccinated at a new pop-up clinic at Falmouth Health Centre.
"You don't have to book, just turn up and get your jab. Getting vaccinated not only protects you and your loved ones, but is our way out of this pandemic. Don't delay, and do it for Cornwall".
NHS Kernow Chairman, Dr Paul Cook