A DOCTOR in Oldham has warned people in the borough “cannot become complacent” with coronavirus restrictions set to be lifted next week.

Social distancing rules will be removed from Monday, dubbed “Freedom Day”, but Dr Anita Sharma from the South Chadderton Health Centre wants people to remain cautious as Covid-19 infection rates continue to rise.

Oldham has the highest infection rate in Greater Manchester and one of the largest in the country.

The number of people per 100,000 in the town who produced a positive test in the seven days up to July 10 recorded at 645.7.

That figure was nearly double the UK average of 336.7.

There were 1,531 cases in the seven days up to July 10, government figures revealed.

Although rules will be eased on Monday, Dr Sharma is still advising that people should still wear face masks in gatherings, on public transport and in health settings.

She said: “While we would all relish the opportunity to remove face masks and return to the world we experienced before Covid, the virus is still spreading, and variants are giving great cause for concern.

“We simply cannot become complacent, and I would still urge people to wear face masks at gatherings, on public transport and especially when visiting a healthcare setting, like the surgery, a care home or the A&E unit in hospital.

“An even more vital component than face masks is getting yourself vaccinated.

“Although over 140,000 residents in Oldham have had the jab, the younger population is now being affected most by the virus and needs to inoculated, as soon as possible.

“I am proud to say that our surgery was among the first in the UK to vaccinate young people with learning difficulties.”

Dr Sharma also urges residents to avoid taking notices surrounding myths shared on social media about the vaccines.

She added: “I still cannot believe that in the face of all the evidence showing that non-vaccinated people are contracting Covid, there are those in our society who still believe myths around vaccine content and side effects.

“Those who peddle this nonsense have a lot to answer for.”