Coronavirus: ‘Drive it Down for Christmas’ – Shropshire residents urged to help cut county’s COVID-19 rates
Residents across Shropshire are being urged to ‘Drive it Down for Christmas’ and help cut the county’s COVID-19 infection rates in time for the festive season.
Shropshire’s 7-day infection rate for 20-26 November was 127.5 per 100,000 of the population, with 412 new cases reported over the week. Whilst infection rates in Shropshire remain lower than in many parts of the country, positive cases are still being seen across all age groups.
Many residents’ thoughts will now be turning to the festive period, after the Government announced coronavirus restrictions will be eased to allow people to mix with a slightly wider circle of family and friends.
And with just a few weeks to go until the big day, Shropshire’s public health chief is encouraging everyone to continue to play their part and help reduce Shropshire’s rates of infection.
Help us reduce cases of COVID-19 and drive it down for Christmas
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:
“What we have seen over the past couple of weeks in terms of the reduction in new cases is really encouraging. They are going in the right direction and the efforts of our residents have played a big part in that.
“But now is not the time to sit back and get comfortable. Our local hospitals have seen a sharp rise in COVID-19-related admissions. This means added pressure on our brilliant NHS workers and the vital services they deliver.
“Christmas is going to feel very different for all of us this year, and I know everyone has made enormous sacrifices over the past 12 months. The news that the rules are being relaxed over the festive period will be welcomed by many, but I would urge everyone to think very carefully before they take advantage of the more lenient rules, and to act responsibly.
“We need to keep doing all the things designed to keep us safe – respecting social distancing, washing hands, wearing face-coverings, self-isolating when we are asked to do so, and booking a test if you have symptoms.
“It’s not just about us and our families this festive season, we have to do it for our frontline workers too – our NHS, our care workers, our supermarket workers and our delivery drivers.
“I truly believe, with a community effort, we can continue to drive it down for Christmas.”
Between 23 and 27 December, the three households in a “Christmas bubble’ can mix indoors and stay overnight. Bubbles will be allowed to meet up:
- In each other’s homes
- At a place of worship
- In an outdoor public space, or garden.
The bubbles will be fixed, so you will not be able to mix with two households on Christmas Day and two different ones on Boxing Day. Households in your Christmas bubble can’t bubble with anyone else.
If you have coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating, you cannot join a bubble.
You can read more about Shropshire’s Tier 2 restrictions here
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.
Keep up to date by signing up for COVID-19 updates here
