The number of coronavirus cases now appears to now be decreasing in Hackney. In the past 2 weeks (5 to 18 August), 63 new positive cases were recorded, this is in comparison to 100 new positive cases in the previous two weeks (22 July to 4 August). This is great news and testament to the fact that most people have been adhering to government guidelines. 

Though numbers look to be decreasing, it’s early days and Hackney still has one of the highest rates of coronavirus in the capital. Although the risk of catching the virus is still generally low, we must all continue to take precautions to keep the risk low -  following the 3Ws: washing our hands, watching our distance by keeping 2m apart and wearing a mask in shops and on public transport.  If the virus can’t physically go from host to host then it will be stopped in its tracks.    

It is essential that we carry on adhering to guidelines to keep people safe and to stop Central Government implementing a local lockdown. In the north of the borough, where most infections are located we are asking people to take extra steps to stop the virus from spreading by:

• not meeting people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where you have formed a support bubble

• not visiting someone else’s home or garden

• not socialising with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as shops, places of worship, community centres. However you may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with), but should avoid interaction with individuals or groups from other households. 

We also want to remind all residents that if you go abroad you will have to self-isolate for 14 days when you return unless you are arriving from an exempt country (this list is on the gov.uk website). These rules also apply if you have visitors from these countries. This is due to the high rates of coronavirus in these countries at this time. 

I want to say to all of Hackney, keep up the good work, but there is still more to do, and we still all need to work together to prevent the virus from spreading in the community and keep Hackney safe.