Coronavirus: Consensus Support Services Ltd update

Shropshire Council continues to work with Public Health England (PHE) Midlands in response to recent cases of COVID-19 linked to a residential care home in Dorrington. We are working with Consensus Support Services Limited to ensure plans are in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The total number of positive cases identified is now 15. We want to reiterate that the risk to the public is low and encourage everyone to play their part by continuing to follow the Government guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission.

Everyone who tested positive has been asked to self-isolate for 10 days in line with Government guidance. Those residents who have tested positive for coronavirus are being asked self-isolate in their accommodation and continue to receive support from Consensus.

We understand Consensus have followed Government advice and guidelines: it was quick to put measures in place and undertake all necessary health and safety measures to help prevent further transmission of the virus. We continue to work with everyone involved to provide health protection advice and guidance.

A spokesperson for Consensus Services Limited said:

“The health and wellbeing of the people we support and our colleagues is our absolute priority, and we have been doing everything we can to keep them well during this challenging time.

“We have put in place a number of measures to safeguard the people we support, and we would like to thank our colleagues who are working around-the-clock to provide the highest quality care.

“We continue to work alongside relevant authorities who have provided us with testing for everyone in the service, which has undeniably helped us to effectively put in place appropriate care measures.”

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire’s director of public health said:

“At this phase of the pandemic, we still expect to see cases in the community and within settings where people are closer together.

“Our focus remains the health and wellbeing of residents while we work to contain and control the spread of COVID-19. We continue to support residents and staff at Consensus, and the risk to the general public remains low.

“We encourage 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.”

Dan Morris, a local Shropshire Councillor for Burnell said:

“Shropshire Council and Consensus have responded quickly to contain the virus. The fact that there have been no positive tests in the wider community is testament to that.

We have seen cases across Shropshire since this pandemic began and the risk to the general public remains low. Everyone has to play their part and we encourage people to continue to wash their hands regularly, keep your distance and use face coverings to help protect yourself and others.

“Whist we want everyone to remain vigilant, I would also like to add that Dorrington is still very much open for business. We want life to continue as normal as possible and encourage residents and visitors alike, to continue to support our local shops and businesses.”

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 in public places and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

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.

More information about coronavirus, testing, self-isolation, and social distancing is available from the UK Government website at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Further information for media

We will be providing updates on the current situation on our Newsroom and on social media. 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. 

Further Information 

People who have been tested positive must isolate for a minimum of 10 days, or until they are 48 hours without a fever (raised temperature), whichever is the longest.

• work from home if you can
• limit contact with other people
• keep your distance from people not in your household bubble (2 metres apart where possible)
• wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• if you are unable to wash hands and they are visibly clean, use hand sanitiser with at least 75% alcohol content
• do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
• wear face coverings on public transport and when going into any enclosed public places including shops, supermarkets and on public transport

Read more about what you can and cannot do here