Drinkers urged to self isolate after Hartlepool club closes following coronavirus outbreak

Hartlepool Borough Council’s public health messages follows “a number of positive cases” traced back to the Richardson & Westgarth Sport & Social Club, in Winterbottom Avenue, Hartlepool.

Visitors between Sunday, October 18, and Tuesday, October 20, are told to self isolate for a 14-day period from the date they were last there.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s acting director of public health, Craig Blundred, said: “We’re asking people to self isolate because they’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

“We’re working closely with the club and are contacting those people we have been provided details for.

“However, it is vital anyone who visited the club between Sunday, October 18, and Tuesday, October 20, isolates immediately to stop the spread of the virus as quickly as possible.

“Whilst the club is currently closed, we are also supporting the management with their plans to reopen safely and they will confirm a reopening date as soon as they can.”

Latest statistics show the town’s weekly rolling rate of new infections continues to rise.

Figures for the week ending October 18 show there were 326 new cases, at a rate of 348.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 256 new cases, and a rate of 273.3 per 100,000 people, previously.

Neil Clarke, the club’s secretary, thanked the council for its support “during this challenging time”, adding: “I would encourage everyone who visited our site between Sunday, October 18, and Tuesday, October 20, to follow the advice and self-isolate.

“The club is currently closed and will be deep cleaned prior to reopening.”

Visitors to the club between October 18-20 are advised to only book a Covid-19 test on 119 if they have symptoms.

These are a high temperature, a new and continuous cough and a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

The council said: “If you were in Richardson & Westgarth Sports & Social Club on any of those days and get a test and your result is negative, you must still complete your 14 full days of self-isolation. This is because it can take time for symptoms to develop.

Contact the authority’s public protection team for more information on 07970 107043 or by emailing [email protected].

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