Covid cases across Sheffield and the country are rising and more worryingly we are seeing the death rate rise and the pressure on the NHS increasing. What we should have heard from the Health Secretary is a reintroduction of mandatory mask wearing along with a ramp up of booster jabs and a more focused approach to encourage those who have not yet had a vaccine to do so. The government, as a matter of urgency, must accelerate the rollout of vaccinations to those 12 and above and tackle misinformation around pregnant women.

This isn’t the time to be complacent, we cannot afford for another surge of Covid cases this winter. I’m urging our communities to take action for themselves, now. Wear your mask when in indoor spaces and on public transport, if you’ve not had your vaccination then book in as soon as possible and continue to wash your hands regularly.

Our communities have worked so hard to control the spread of the virus and now is the time that we all act again, not just to protect ourselves, but each other.