Newsroom

For the week ending 18 October, in Telford and Wrekin there have been:

• 276 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19
• The seven day infection rate for Telford and Wrekin is 153 confirmed cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population
• For the West Midlands the average is 166 confirmed cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population
• For England the average is 177 confirmed cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population
• 6 cases relate to care homes
• 22 cases relate to educational settings
• At least 41 cases are students relating to Harper Adams
• The remaining people are in the community across the borough
• There are currently 20 people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the hospital

Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin’s Director of Public Health, said: “The number of covid cases has increased 89%, nearly a doubling in the last week.

“About a third of this increase relates to students at Harper Adams testing positive and we are working hard with the university to manage that situation.

“Not all the increase can be related to students, there is ongoing transmission in the community - between members of the same family, between friends and work colleagues.

“Sadly some of our more vulnerable members of our community are being affected, with rates of infection increasing in the over 60s – currently we have 20 people with Covid at the Princess Royal Hospital.

“As a community we have done so much to protect ourselves, our friends and our family but as infections continue to rise I would urge people to take more precautions.

“Isolate and get tested when you have any symptoms of Covid, however mild – local testing sites are available.

“If you are identified as a close contact, you need to isolate for 14 days, even if you test negative because it can take up to 14 days to develop symptoms.

“Don’t meet up with other people outside your household if you can help it, if you do try and meet outside and remember the rule of six.

“Work from home if you can and don’t share a car with other members of a household if you can help it.

“Keep your distance from others, wash your hands regularly, and wear a face mask.

“Together we need to fight this virus, protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

Andy Burford, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “Telford & Wrekin’s Covid Alert Level is currently ‘Medium’ we need to do all we can to avoid moving to ‘High.’

“The virus is spreading when people meet at home and in confined spaces, so I ask residents to reduce the social contact people have to a minimum.

“We know the vast majority of people in Telford and Wrekin have done a fantastic job following the rules but we need to do more.

“Everyone in Telford and Wrekin needs to play their part in the fight against coronavirus and to take this extremely seriously, doing so will save lives and keep Telford and Wrekin open for business.”