Covid case rates in Cornwall have reached an "all time high" according to the council, which is warning people to take extra precautions.

In the figures from the government today (Tuesday) cases hit a record high of 1,322 per 100,000 people, which also makes Cornwall the second highest area for cases in England.

Cornwall Council’s assistant director of public health, Dr Ruth Goldstein, has urged people to follow the original Covid guidance to help bring Cornwall’s case numbers down and protect the NHS.

She said: “Covid hasn’t gone away – quite the opposite. Our case rates have rocketed in recent weeks, and the current situation is really concerning. It’s important that we all take precautions and follow public health guidance if we’re to reduce our chances of getting Covid.”

The council said the surge in infections was likely to be due to several factors, including the new and highly infectious sub-variant of Omicron, along with Covid-19 restrictions being lifted.

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Dr Goldstein said: “I urge everyone to do your best to follow the original Covid guidance so we can reduce the spread of the virus. This new variant is incredibly transmissible, so please do get back to the basics: hands, face, space and fresh air. You should self-isolate and avoid contact with as many people as possible if you have Covid symptoms or test positive for Covid-19.

“It’s important we don’t underestimate Covid. While it’s true that some people report milder symptoms – like a heavy cold – others get seriously ill. And because it affects everyone differently and there’s no way of knowing how you will be impacted.

"It can also lead to complications including long Covid which could affect you for a long time to come, and that could affect your income, not just your health."

Cllr Dr Andy Virr, portfolio holder for adults and public health, said: “These high case rates are having an impact across Cornwall. We’re seeing cases in hospitals rise again, which also means our health and care workers are getting sick again too.

"Businesses are struggling to cope with absences again, so we really all need to play our part in reducing the spread so that everything can run as smoothly as possible."