Coronavirus: COVID-19 cases remain high during 10-16 September 2021

During the seven-day period between 10-16 September 2021:

• 1,004 new cases reported
• A slight decrease of 12% on the previous week (however, more recent data has seen a rise again)
• The 7-day infection rate for Shropshire was 308.5 per 100,000
• It was 296.9  per 100,000 for the West Midlands, and 253.2 for England
• 43 hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients
• 5 COVID-19-related deaths in a local hospital

COVID-19 stats locally 10-16 September 2021

During the week 10-16 September, we have seen the number of cases in Shropshire fall slightly, however the overall rate of infections across the county remains high.

Testing rates continue to be high across the county and above the regional average, with the average age rate of COVID-19 cases being 27 years old.

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

“While there was a slight decrease in numbers of cases last week, with the number of outbreaks in schools and the wider community continuing to rise, we are now seeing figures increase again. Our health protection team is currently managing 74 COVID-19 outbreaks, mainly across schools, with 36 new outbreaks declared in the last week.

“Sadly, we’ve seen a further 5 deaths in our hospitals, who continue to see an increase in hospitalisations of COVID-19 patients, the majority of which remain unvaccinated, which is concerning.

“I would therefore urge anyone who has not yet had their vaccine to please take up the offer. The NHS ‘evergreen’ vaccination offer is for anyone who has yet to accept the opportunity to be vaccinated. You can still get your first and second doses at walk-in clinics across the county. A full list of vaccination clinics is available here.

“Not only will this help stop the spread of the virus but also help reduce the risk of serious illness.”

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

“We know many people across Shropshire have and continue to follow the national guidelines by getting vaccinated and regularly tested, wearing masks in crowded spaces, letting fresh air in when indoors and social distancing.

“However, we’re also seeing people disengaging with such advice. I can’t emphasise enough that all us need to take personal responsibility, not just for our safety but the safety of our loved ones, friends and our wider community.

“We are having to live with coronavirus and while restrictions have relaxed, I urge everyone to continue to follow these guidelines, otherwise we will continue to see cases rise across Shropshire.”

Further information

Cases

There have been an additional 1,004 reported cases, compared to 1,145 cases reported the previous week, in Shropshire.  This gives a 7-day infection rate of 308.5 per 100,000 (compared to 296.9 for the West Midlands and 253.2 for England).  This is a decrease from 297.9 per 100,000 for the week to 15th September.  Latest data this week suggests cases have risen again with a rate of 324.0 per 100,000.

Of the total positive cases in the last 7 days (1,047, once void tests were removed), 1.6% of cases are linked to a care home. The average age was 27 years. 566 cases (54.1%) were age 0-19; 59 (5.6%) were age 20-29. Meanwhile 40 cases (3.8%) were aged 70+, showing a decrease in the rate of cases in the older population. During the last week 36% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area, 32% in north Shropshire and 32% in south Shropshire. Local back tracing and contact tracing continues to identify additional connections.

Testing

Positivity rate is currently 7.2%, down from 8.9% last week. Figures for the West Midlands show a similar trend in positivity rate (8%). The 7-day moving average of individuals tested per 100,000 population is 619.0, up from 577.8 in the previous week.

Vaccination programme

Across Shropshire the vaccination programme continues to be rolled out across the county, with the roving team continuing to focus on sixth form colleges this week. Almost 90% of adults have now received one dose and 86% of the population have now had both doses. The COVID-19 booster vaccinations are beginning to be rolled out via appointment across both Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin. Those that will be eligible include:

• Those living in residential care homes for older adults
• All adults aged 50 years or over
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19
• Adult carers and those experiencing homelessness
• Adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.

In addition to the COVID-19 booster programme, local areas have already been identifying and vaccinating people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed with a third jab following updated guidance from the JCVI in early September.

Also, last week the Government accepted the advice of the four Chief Medical Officers to offer a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine to all healthy 12-15-year-olds. The NHS in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is now working with the local School Aged Immunisation Service to deliver this vaccination programme in the coming weeks. Vaccinations for children aged 12-15 will mainly be delivered in schools and the local NHS is working with schools to identify suitable dates to visit. Parents, guardians, or carers of children aged 12-15 will begin to receive letters via their children’s school from this week onwards, with details of when the vaccination will be offered. They will be asked to provide consent for their child to receive the vaccination. Parents or guardians do not need to contact their local GP or other NHS services, nor make an appointment through the National Booking Service.