Rise in Covid cases is "inevitable" says Essex health chief
The county's Director of Public Health says the easing of lockdown will lead to more infections
The Director of Public Health for Essex thinks a rise in coronavirus infections should be expected since lockdown restrictions eased.
On Monday (12 April), in line with the roadmap out of lockdown, people have been able to visit non-essential shops and mix with two households or up to six people outside.
It means hospitality venues, which can accommodate outdoor eating and drinking, and high streets have been experiencing a well-needed boost.
Dr Mike Gogarty said, where mixing is involved, cases will increase:
"It's inevitable that when people are meeting there is more opportunity for the disease to spread. So, it is really important people are very cautious with the reopening. Try and observe the two metres social distancing wherever you possibly can within shops, get yourself tested if you get any symptoms and self-isolate.
"Certainly outside it is less risky than indoors but there is still an increased risk. We will see cases go up, there is no doubt about that."
According to the latest Government data, there were 189 new Covid-19 cases in the week leading up to 10 April in Essex.
Meanwhile, information from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows 4,386 people who lost their lives in the county up to 4 April had coronavirus on their death certificate.
While Dr Gogarty is expecting Essex to experience a rise in infections, he is hopeful there won't be an increase in serious illness or hospital admissions, due to the majority of people "most like to get ill" having at least one dose of the vaccination.