26/08/2021 - Permalink

Coronavirus: COVID-19 cases rise significantly again during week 13-19 August

Related topics: Coronavirus / Health / Partner organisations

During the seven-day period between 13-19 August 2021:    

  • 1,175 new cases reported    
  • An increase of 33% on the previous week    
  • The 7-day infection rate for Shropshire was 361.1 per 100,000    
  • It was 321.8 per 100,000 for the West Midlands, and 324.0 for England  
  • 23 hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients   
  • 6 COVID-19-related deaths in a local hospital  
COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths locally 13-19 August 2021 infographic

COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths locally 13-19 August 2021

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

“The situation in Shropshire is worsening by the week and we now have the third highest infection rate in the West Midlands, just slightly behind Herefordshire and Wolverhampton. 

“Of the 23 COVID-19 patients in Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals (SaTH), six are on the intensive care unit. I’m sad to report that there have also been six further deaths in our local hospitals during this time. The Delta variant of the virus is highly transmissible, currently widespread within our communities, and we must take it seriously. 

“By now we all know the things we can do to stop the rapid spread of the virus and, with the situation as it is at the moment, we all need to play our part. I strongly urge people to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces, and social distance where possible to protect yourselves and others. 

“The rules around isolation changed recently which means people who are double vaccinated no longer have to self-isolate if they are a close contact of a positive case; but I must remind everyone that you can still develop COVID-19 even after you have been vaccinated. Please be sensible and take a PCR test to check if you have the virus or not.  

“The best protection is still two doses of a vaccine. It significantly reduces your chances of becoming seriously ill if you get COVID-19. All adults aged 16 and over are now eligible.” 

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for public health said:-

“Once again I want to send my condolences to the families who have lost a loved one. We all must step up again, like we have in the past, and do all we can to keep Shropshire safe. 

“Last weekend I received a scam text from someone pretending to be from the NHS. It said that I had been identified as eligible for a ‘Covid pass’ and asked me to click a link. If you receive something similar, please do not click the link. The NHS will never ask you for information like this. Any suspicious texts can be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.”