Tighter Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions 'inevitable' in Telford as infection rate rises
Tighter coronavirus restrictions are "inevitable" in Telford as the infection rate continues to rise, residents have been warned.
The number of positive Covid-19 cases in the borough has quadrupled in the last four weeks and so far this week four people have been admitted to hospital after contracting the virus.
A total of 144 people were diagnosed with coronavirus in the seven days to October 11, according to Telford & Wrekin Council's latest figures, compared to 25 in the equivalent period four weeks ago.
This puts the seven-day infection rate at 81 cases per 100,000 people, 19 below the Government's current trigger for Tier 2 restrictions.
Of the 144 people diagnosed, six cases relate to care homes, 15 in educational settings, 10 are students and may include those not living in the borough, and 113 are residents in the community.
Liz Noakes, the council’s director of Public Health, said: “In the past week we have had 144 people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Telford & Wrekin – four weeks ago we had just 25.
“We are now at a tipping point and if the virus continues to grow at this rate, it appears inevitable we will see the next tier of restrictions here.
“The increasing infection rates are not restricted to younger people – older and more vulnerable people are now being infected as the virus spreads within families and communities.
“In the past two weeks we’ve had two deaths from Covid-19 in the borough and our thoughts are with their friends and families at this time.
“We must now all play our part to protect more vulnerable community members.
“Please reduce the number of people outside your household that you meet – this will make a big difference in stemming the spread of the virus and protecting those most at risk.
“Be more vigilant about the basic steps – keep two metres from people you do not live with, wear face coverings and regularly wash your hands.”
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More recent data from the NHS shows there were 150 cases in the week to October 13, making the infection rate slightly higher at 83.4 per 100,000 people.
In Shropshire there were 255 cases in the same period, giving a rate of 78.9 cases per 100,000 people.
The highest rate in the West Midlands is in Birmingham, where the rate was 166.2 per 100,000 people in the seven days to October 13.
Currently, Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire are both in the Tier one "medium" Covid alert level.
High Covid alert level Tier 2 restrictions would see tighter rules including not being allowed to meet with friends or family indoors in any setting unless they share the same household or a support bubble has been formed. This includes meeting in pubs and restaurants.
Andy Burford, cabinet member for health and social care in Telford, said: “We know that the majority of people are following the rules, and we thank you.
“But the reality is, if cases increase at the current rate, further restrictions are inevitable.
“If you have any one of the key coronavirus symptoms, stay at home, self-isolate and book a test.
“If you test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace, you must isolate. A government scheme is there to support those on low incomes to help people to isolate.
“We must all pull together to keep our loved ones and vulnerable members of our communities safe.”
