TRAFFORD Council is urging residents to help stop the spread of Covid-19 by taking up the offer of a vaccine.

Covid-19 rates continue to rise across the north west of England, with Trafford and all of Greater Manchester subject to additional measures due to high rates of the Delta variant.

The case rate in Trafford was almost 200 per 100,000 people in the week up to June 12.

In response, Trafford Council is urging residents to play their part by getting vaccinated.

From Friday, everyone over the age of 18 in England is allowed to book an appointment.

Eleanor Roaf, director of public health at Trafford Council, said: “Sadly, we’re now seeing an increase in Covid-19 hospitalisations.

“It’s vital that people say yes to their vaccine for their own health and that of their friends and family.

“Vaccination will help us bring this pandemic to an end.”

Trafford Council’s community engagement team are also working to increase uptake of the vaccine across the borough.

They send 50 volunteers to vaccination clinics every week and are engaging with the borough’s homeless people to support them in getting vaccinated.

And in response to lower uptake in the north of Trafford, the team are working to increase residents’ confidence in the vaccine.

This work includes conversations with the residents in their own language about the vaccine.

Councillor Mike Freeman, executive member for Covid-19 recovery and reform, said: “I’m so proud of the incredible work being done to engage our communities.

“It’s making a real difference, allowing our residents to be heard and shaping our future work.

“We know our residents have already done so much, but we all need to do another push to get this variant under control.”

To book a vaccine, visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119.