NHS workers and the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) are being applauded by local NHS Chief Executives for the important role they are playing in saving lives during the global coronavirus pandemic.

Ahead of the national Clap for Carers event at 8pm tonight, when thousands of people are expected to join in a round of applause to show those in the NHS how much their hard work is appreciated, the local NHS is extending the applause to local people.

In a joint statement, the Chief Executives of LLR’s Clinical Commissioning Groups, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Leicestershire Partnership Trust, said:

“We are so proud of the way our NHS staff and the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are responding to this national emergency. You are all playing a vital role in helping us to respond the best we can to the coronavirus challenge.

“Whilst our NHS staff are working tirelessly and pulling together to do what they can to save lives, the most important action people can take in fighting coronavirus is to continue to stay at home.

“If no action is taken, in 5 days a carrier is likely to infect 2.5 people and in 30 days this number increases to 406 people through onward transmissions. But, with just 50% less exposure to others through effective social distancing, that total number will reduce by more than 95% – leading to infections for just 15 people rather than 406. The more we do, the greater the benefit and this is especially important as many of us will be unaware that we are carriers.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, we are all in this together and by staying at home and continuing to follow Government advice, you will be protecting the NHS and saving lives.

“Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank those key workers in other organisations we are working with for their dedication and commitment to keeping people safe and providing the support needed.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to each and every one of you. When this ends the country will owe all of you an enormous debt of gratitude.”

The local NHS will be applauding one another and the public tonight at 8pm. You too can join in for a big applause from your front door, garden, balcony, windows, or living room.

For latest Government advice on coronavirus go to: www.gov.uk

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Notes to editors

  1. The joint statement is on behalf of the following:
    Andy Williams, Chief Executive of LLR’s Clinical Commissioning Groups (LLR CCGs)
    Rebecca Brown, Acting Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL)
    Angela Hillery, Chief Executive of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT)
  2. If no action is taken, in 5 days a carrier is likely to infect 2.5 people and in 30 days this number increases to 406 people. With 50% less exposure to other people, a carrier will infect 1.25 people in 5 days and 15 people in 30 days. With 75% less exposure to other people, the spread of the virus reduces dramatically to less than 1 person in 5 days and 2.5 people in 30 days.

For more information please contact:

Prag Baddhan, LLR CCGs Communications team
Phone: 0116 2956943
Email: PressOfficeLLRCCGs@Leicestershire.nhs.net