NEW COVID-19 CASES IN RECENT WEEKS 'DIRECTLY RELATED' TO PEOPLE CAR SHARING AND SOCIALISING OUTSIDE OF WORK

FEARS OVER USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT MAY BE LEADING TO 'RISK-TAKING' BEHAVIOUR

MOTORISTS in Atherstone and district have been warned to steer clear of "friendly" acts of car sharing identified as contributing to the spread of Covid-19 locally.

Public health bosses have highlighted a number of confirmed cases can be definitely linked to the practice in recent weeks.

And the reporting of new infections have also been "directly related" to socialising outside work, it has emerged.

Fears about using public transport appear to be driving local residents to contemplate risking catching the virus through giving or accepting lifts in other people's vehicles, council officials maintain.

The news comes just weeks after a Covid-19 spike of cases followed five people sharing a car journey from lockdown Leicester to a North Warwickshire business park employing thousands of people.

Motor industry giant Euro Car Parts told employees to find another way into work at its Birch Coppice site after seven people reportedly contracted the potentially deadly virus and others were forced to self-isolate. The company urged its workers to avoid the practice of car sharing "unless absolutely necessary".

Today county public health director Shade Agboola called on car drivers NOT to carry passengers who don't live in their household to work or to a leisure activity.

Talking about the increased risk, Ms Agboola said: "We know that coronavirus spreads faster in enclosed spaces, including cars and other vehicles than it does outdoors, and this is one of the factors we are seeing in some outbreaks.

"There have been a number of confirmed cases in the last few weeks which relate directly to people car sharing or socialising outside of work.

"Our advice would be not to share a vehicle with anyone outside of your household.

"If you do have to car share, only do so with one other person and maximise the distance between you, so the passenger sits in the back of the vehicle on the opposite side to the driver.

"When traveling, keep windows down, wear a face covering and clean the car between journeys, particularly the areas people touch.

"Most importantly, do not car share if you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms, a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste; you are sharing a house with somebody who has symptoms or have been advised by theNHS test and trace servicethat you should self-isolate."

Portfolio holder for adult social care and health Councillor Les Caborn said:"We know that people may be concerned about using public transport at this time, but by car sharing you are significantly increasing the risk of contracting the virus."

He said while there were ways to mitigate risks, it may now be advisable to "look at alternative methods of transport, including riding a bike, an electric scooter or using public transport on a train or bus, to "help reduce the chances of getting the virus and bringing it into your place of work."

Atherstone and North Warwickshire's confirmed cases of the virus now stands at 354 with a rate per 100,000 of 542.4.

Warwickshire's overall infections are now 2,692 at a rate of 465.8 per 100,000 population. The UK total is 321,098 – up 812 on the previous 24 hours.