PUBLIC health leaders are urging people to double down on efforts over the Christmas period with a new strain of coronavirus being transmitted at an even faster rate than the original COVID-19 disease.

COVID-19 tests for people without symptoms of the virus have started for targeted groups of West Cheshire residents.

FRODSHAM, Helsby and Kingsley – along with the rest of Cheshire West and Chester – will be in Tier 2 “high alert” when the current national lockdown ends on December 2.

RESIDENTS are being advised to avoid unnecessary travel to neighbouring boroughs during the COVID-19 pandemic with five areas facing different levels of restrictions.

TWO new COVID-19 local testing sites will open in Cheshire West this week, enabling residents with coronavirus symptoms to book a test.

PUBLIC Health leaders have expressed deep concern over the lack of COVID-19 testing capacity and resources for locally supported contact tracing.

Residents are being urged to only get a Covid-19 test if they have symptoms of the virus.

WITH 18 confirmed cases of COVID 19 infections in West Cheshire from 3 August to 8 August showing a downward trend from the previous week, commuters who care share are being warned to “COVID conscious.”