04/03/2021 - Permalink

Coronavirus: Shropshire residents urged not to let their guard down as COVID-19 cases continue to fall

Related topics: Coronavirus / Health

During the 7-day period from 19-25 February 2021 in Shropshire:

  • 322 new cases reported
  • This was a decrease of 106 (24%) cases compared to the previous week
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 99.6 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population.
  • For the West Midlands it was 127.6 per 100,000
  • For England it was 96.4 per 100,000
  • There were 22 COVID-19-related deaths in Shropshire hospitals
  • 87 hospital beds at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals were occupied by COVID-19 patients
  • 76 cases relate to people under the age of 30
  • 28 cases relate to people aged 70+
  • During the last week 30% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area
  • 44% were in north Shropshire
  • 26% were in south Shropshire

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

“The fact that the number of cases is reducing week-by-week is really encouraging.

“But as the weather improves and the evenings get lighter, people may be tempted to let their guard down and take unnecessary risks. I know everyone has been asked to live under restrictions for almost a year now and it is becoming more and more difficult; I am thankful for the sacrifices everyone has made up to this point. However, we do need one last big push if we want to be in a position where all restrictions are lifted by the earliest 21 June 2021 as per the Government’s roadmap.

“These next few weeks are probably the most important we have had locally during this pandemic. Everything we are doing now does make a difference, so please, try not to become complacent about things such as social distancing – do keep your space, and wear face coverings.”

Getting back to school safely

Shropshire Council is working closely with schools to ensure they are supported and ready to begin face-to-face lessons for all pupils from Monday 8 March.

All schools are working hard to ensure measures are in place to keep pupils and staff as safe as possible. Your child’s school will be in contact with you about their arrangements.

Here’s what to expect when pupils start returning to classrooms from Monday 8 March.

Lateral Flow Tests – home testing kits

The Government has confirmed twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be made available for free to all adults in households with primary school-aged, secondary school-aged, and college-aged children, for those without symptoms.  

This includes adults in childcare and support bubbles, and twice-weekly Lateral Flow Tests will also be offered to adults working in the wider school community, including bus drivers, taxi drivers and after school club leaders. 

For those unable to visit sites, these tests will be also available to collect at the following local testing sites between 1.30pm – 7pm each day:- 

  • London Road Car Park, Shrewsbury, SY2 6NS 
  • Beatrice Street Car Park, Oswestry, SY11 1QW 
  • Smithfield Car Park, 25 Lower Galdeford, Ludlow, SY8 1RN 

Further collection points will be coming online in the near future. Tests can be ordered either for collection or home delivery online here.