11/02/2021 - Permalink

Coronavirus: Positive COVID-19 cases continue to decline 29 January – 4 February

Related topics: Coronavirus / Health

During the 7-day period from 29 January – 4 February 2021 in Shropshire:

  • 642 new cases reported
  • This was a decrease of 35 (5%) cases compared to the previous week
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 198.7 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population.
  • For the West Midlands it was 268.8 per 100,000
  • For England it was 210.8 per 100,000
  • There were 29 COVID-19-related deaths in Shropshire hospitals
  • 144 hospital beds at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals were occupied by COVID-19 patients
  • 137 cases relate to people under the age of 30
  • 92 cases relate to people aged 70+
  • During the last week 35% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area
  • 39% were in north Shropshire
  • 26% were in south Shropshire

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

“Our numbers continue to fall, and we have one of lowest rates in the West Midlands. This is of course welcome news, but we’re not out of the woods just yet. We also have one of the highest testing rates in the region, which mean we can identify positive cases quickly and ask any affected individuals to self-isolate.

“Over the past weeks, we have seen an increase in the number of positive cases linked to both workplaces and care homes. Our public health teams continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with these settings to stem the spread of infection, and support both residents of care homes and staff.

“To drive Shropshire’s rates down even further we need to continue sticking to the Hands, Face, Space rules and Stay at Home for all but essential reasons.

“If you have symptoms, please self-isolate and organise to get tested.

“We have testing available in Ludlow, Oswestry, Shifnal and Shrewsbury for people with symptoms. We are also asking people to consider getting tested as a precaution if they have any less common symptoms, such as a headache, sore throat and shortness of breath. Please make use of these centres and take up the offer of testing.

“Rapid testing is also available for key workers, and those people who have a job that means they cannot work from home, at our centres in Shrewsbury and Craven Arms. Rapid tests can be booked using the following link –  www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting.

“This type of test is for people who are asymptomatic – please call 119 or visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to book a test if you have any symptoms.”

Rapid testing training for businesses

More businesses in Shropshire are being offered the opportunity to take part in a rapid COVID-19 testing programme for their staff. 

Testing for people without symptoms helps to identify and isolate cases and break the chain of transmission.  

A number of local businesses and organisations have been supported by the council to help deliver their own training for staff.  

We can businesses with equipment, training and all the advice they need to establish their own testing programmes.  

If you would like to know more, please email lateralflow.phtraining@shropshire.gov.uk

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 or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus