Coronavirus: Update (Mon 3 Aug 5.45pm) re Craven Arms caravan site outbreak
Shropshire Council and Public Health England (PHE) Midlands continue to work with key partners including West Mercia Police to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Long Lane travellers site in Craven Arms.
As of today (Monday 3 August 5.45pm), no additional positive cases have been identified in the wider Craven Arms community.
There are now only a small number of individuals on the Long Lane site who are being asked to self-isolate after testing positive. Individuals that are contacts of cases are required to complete their 14-day period of isolation.
Officers from both Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police were present in Craven Arms over the weekend to offer reassurance and advice to residents and businesses.
We want to reiterate that the risk of catching coronavirus in the Craven Arms community is low, and encourage everyone to play their part by continuing to follow the Government guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission.
Superintendent Mo Lansdale, Shropshire Local Policing Commander with West Mercia Police, said:
“We understand this has been a concerning time for many people and I would like to thank local residents and the wider community for their patience and support.
“Over the coming days we will have a visible police presence in Craven Arms to offer reassurance to the local community, anyone who does have concerns or questions can speak to an officer on patrol.
“Throughout the outbreak we have worked closely with Public Health England and Shropshire Council and will continue to do so, to ensure we work together to maintain the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone in Craven Arms and throughout Shropshire.”
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:
“Once again I would like to thank both the residents at the Long Lane site and the wider Craven Arms community for their ongoing support and understanding.
“The news that there have been no positive tests in the wider community is encouraging, and shows that the prompt measures we have put in place are helping to control the spread of the virus.
“Letters have been given to those residents who have completed their isolation period and are no longer infectious. We continue to engage with all residents at Long Lane to remind them of the importance of following Government guidance when they leave the site.
“Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police will continue to have a visible presence in the community throughout this week. The risk to the general public remains low, but we ask everyone to remain alert – wash your hands regularly, keep your distance, and use a face covering to help protect yourself and others. If you develop a fever, persistent dry cough, or have a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, please go online or call 119 to arrange a test.”
Shropshire Council’s public health team would also like to remind everyone to follow social distancing advice to reduce their social interaction with other people. Good hand hygiene remains the best protection against the virus, including washing your hands more regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, wearing a face covering when using public transport or going to shops and other enclosed public places, and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
As an additional measure, if you are a resident of Craven Arms, and regardless of whether you have COVID-19 symptoms, testing is available. A test site at Craven Arms Business Park is open every day from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Craven Arms residents can book an appointment via NHS Test and Trace online or by ringing 119.
For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 helpline on 0345 678 9028 (lines open on the weekend on Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-12pm) or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Shropshire Council have also put together a series of FAQs regarding the Long Lane site outbreak.
More information about coronavirus, testing, self-isolation and social distancing is available from the Government website at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Further information for media
We will be providing daily updates on the current situation at Craven Arms on our Newsroom and on social media. Due to the significant decrease in positive cases at the Long Lane, we will now issue figures in relation to testing towards the end of the week.
If there are no updates posted on Newsroom, this means there is nothing to report on that day.
We will endeavour to respond to your enquiries.
Stay Alert to Stay Safe
Further information
As of today, people who have tested positive or are showing symptoms must isolate for a minimum of 10 days, or until they are 48 hours without a fever (raised temperature), whichever is the longest.
We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must:
- stay at home as much as possible
- work from home if you can
- limit contact with other people
- keep your distance from people not in your household (2 metres apart where possible)
- wash your hands regularly
- Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
- Wear face coverings on public transport and when going to the shops and supermarkets and in other close settings where possible.
Read more about what you can and cannot do here
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