AN urgent appeal for assistance has gone out to NHS health chiefs and local government leaders to get on top of the Covid spike in Falmouth.

Falmouth's town and county councillors have written a joint letter demanding more test kits, a vaccine centre, help for struggling businesses and a social media vaccination campaign.

The letter comes as Falmouth suffers a spike in Covid cases, following the G7 summit and an influx of visitors from outside the county over half-term.

The Covid spike, which is also being seen in St Ives and Newquay, has seen businesses in Falmouth and Penryn constantly being forces to close temporarily - losing money and receiving no extra financial support.

The spike is also being blamed on the need for 18 to 29-year-old to get vaccinated.

READ NEXT:

Andrew Marr says he caught Covid at G7 in Cornwall despite being 'double jabbed'

In her most recent weekly report deputy mayor Kirstie Edwards said whilst Stithians was wonderful and efficient, is not accessible for many in our community who don’t drive.

"I have had residents contact me who have paid excessive amount for taxis or spent a whole day on buses to try and get as near as possible to the centre," she said.

"Our young people who are working long hours in hospitality, tell me they simply can’t afford the time to get to Stithians."

Cornwall councillor Jayne Kirkham said: "As a town, Falmouth is doing its best to keep on top of our recent Covid spike.

"We delivered extra tests to our businesses, pushed for more vaccinations in Falmouth and Penryn and we are all tying to abide by the regulations.

"But, we need more help than that.

"For example, people will know that I have been pushing for a vaccination centre in Falmouth since the outbreak started. It is too difficult to get to Stithians for many people. We had a small extra clinic on Friday and are hoping for more, but it is difficult to move those resources around with the existing supply of the vaccines and the tests.

"This letter is so that Falmouth’s ask is clear."

She said councillors are having a town meeting tomorrow to brainstorm ideas and proactively plan the next stage of their response.

The letter says: "For whatever reason, Falmouth’s Covid rates are currently extremely high. There are now clusters in the secondary schools, the hospitality industry and the university.

"We, the councillors of Falmouth Town Council and Falmouth councillors on Cornwall Council, request immediate assistance from Public Health England, Government and Cornwall Council to support us and the town of Falmouth to get on top of this spike."

After meeting with Public Health they say that the following measures will help bring the rate under control more quickly.

1. The urgent provision and distribution of more tests or surge testing so that more than twice weekly testing can be undertaken in the affected industries – particularly hospitality.

2. A temporary walk-in vaccination centre in Falmouth to be immediately provided to encourage vaccination amongst the younger, unvaccinated Falmouth residents who may not have access to a car and will struggle to get to other vaccination centres.

3. Extra financial support for affected businesses and workers in the town.

4. Help with local and specific communications targeted towards those in the unvaccinated groups to encourage and assist them with why, where and how to get vaccinated.

They say the quicker action is taken, the fewer people will be infected and the faster the town will recover, both physically and economically.

You can read the full letter here