Coronavirus: Shropshire Council responds to positive cases in Dorrington

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

Testing for staff and residents was arranged immediately and 11 positive cases were identified, which represents a small minority (15%) of the people living and working in the residential care home. 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:

“Local outbreaks such as this are not unexpected during a pandemic and we have seen cases across the county. Our priority is to stop the spread of infection and protect the health and wellbeing of all residents in our community.

“Shropshire Council, along with Public Health England have responded quickly to the outbreak and we continue to support all those that have been affected. The risk to the wider public is low but we are asking everyone to stay alert to help keep themselves and others safe.”

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