Newsroom

For the week ending 23 January:
• 2, 814 new Covid-19 cases were reported, 292 more compared to the previous week
• The seven-day infection rate for Telford and Wrekin is 1,552 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000
• For the West Midlands, the seven-day infection rate is 1,091 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000
• For England, the seven-day infection rate is 1,001 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000
• Sadly, there have been four further deaths been reported within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test. The total number of borough deaths since the start of the pandemic is 321. 
• There were 66 patients with Covid-19 in local hospitals on 26 January, up from 59 patients on 19 January.

Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin's Director for Public Health, said:
“More national restrictions being lifted today is good news, we are all looking forward to return to normality!
“However, we continue to have very high infection rates in our borough, driven by a high number of cases in children and young people and those in their 30s and 40s.
“While restrictions have been eased, with local infection rates so high, we want to encourage everyone to please continue to take sensible precautions:
- Continue to wear a face covering (unless exempt) particularly in crowded and enclosed spaces. Face covering are still vital to reduce transmission, even if they are not legally required from today.
- Get tested regularly, even if you are feeling well – it gives you peace of mind that you are not spreading the virus without knowing.
- Get your vaccinations and booster, if you haven’t done so already. Vaccination clinics continue to be open across the borough, it takes just a couple of minutes to be vaccinated.
“As we continue to live with the virus and with less restrictions now, we count on our residents that they’ll keep doing all they can to protect our community as much as possible.”

Cllr Kelly Middleton, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Public Health and Well-Being, Equalities and Partnerships (Labour), added:
“Vaccination remains your best protection from severe disease and hospitalisation.
“Evidence shows that the sickest Covid patients in hospitals are those who did not have their vaccinations or the booster.
 “As at 23 January, 81.2% of our residents eligible for the booster had theirs –thank you to everyone who came forward!
“It’s not too late to get your jabs or your booster. If you have any concerns, come to a local clinic and discuss with the vaccination teams, they’ll be able to assist so you take the best decision.
“Check all local clinics on Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Integrated Care System website
“The vaccination programme has been a great success in our borough. As increasingly more residents get protected and continue to follow safer behaviours, we hope the case numbers will start going down.”