RESIDENTS across Northwich are being urged to be cautious over coronavirus after the north west's 'R' value was rated at 1.01.

Parents across the borough were contacted over the weekend after many schools decided not to reopen today, June 8, as previously planned.

It followed news that Public Health England and Cambridge University were ranking the north west 'R' value above one – meaning new cases of infection would begin to slowly increase.

Ian Ashworth, director of public health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, insists residents must continue to take care in the pandemic.

He said: "That central estimate has significant uncertainty around it, and it could range between 0.83 and 1.18.

"The R value is just one of many indicators that public health officials are monitoring carefully and should not be considered in isolation.

"We must all continue to exercise caution in our day to day lives so we can help get this virus properly under control and not undo all the amazing hard work and sacrifices that have been made since March."

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Last month, the council confirmed it would support schools in making their own decision on whether or not to open for pupils other than the children of key workers from June 8, if the Government's five key tests for tackling coronavirus were met.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously claimed the five tests were being met, but CWAC still has concerns over one of those tests about the rate of infection and the risk of another coronavirus peak, and these concerns were highlighted again last Friday.

CWAC repeated its message of support to headteachers making their own decision on opening over the weekend following news of the north west 'R' value creeping over one, and a number of primary schools across Northwich contacted parents having decided against reopening this morning.

Cllr Louise Gittins, CWAC leader, added: "CWAC has taken a cautious approach to the ending of the 'stay at home' message.

"We will continue to take a cautious approach, guided by our local public health experts, and in support of our headteachers, their staff, pupils and parents.

"Together, great progress has been made in reducing the rate of infection in our communities up to this point, and together we will continue play our part to make further progress."

Nine new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed across the borough over the weekend – with the total now standing at 1,178 as of 9am on Sunday.