People in Telford going to shops more than UK average, Google data shows
Health bosses have urged people to limit themselves to strictly essential journeys after data showed people in Telford are travelling to shops more than in the rest of the country.
The rate of coronavirus infection in Telford and Wrekin has continued to decline but at a slower rate compared to neighbouring areas, latest figures show.
The infection rate for the borough is now higher than the regional as well as the national average and Telford and Wrekin has the fifth highest infection rates within the West Midlands.
Local health leaders are urging people to stay at home as mobility data tracked by Google shows that residents in the borough are on the move more than other areas.
Between December 18 and January 29, trips to the supermarket fell by five per cent compared to a similar time period last year – in the UK trips have fallen 16 per cent.
Last week, 459 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 – a 19 per cent fall from the previous week.
The seven-day infection rate was 255 cases per 100,000 people, higher than both the West Midlands and England.
Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin’s director for public health, said: “Looking at mobility data we can see that people in Telford and Wrekin are on the move compared to other areas in the West Midlands – this could be one of the reasons why infection rates are declining slower.
“Staying at home and reducing travel is the main way we can reduce our cases – only go out for essential reasons, reduce the amount of trips you make to the shops and one person should be doing the shopping.
“We’ve also seen a number of cases in workplaces recently, so I’d like to encourage people who have to go to work and have no symptoms to get tested regularly at one of our rapid centres
“Avoiding car sharing and following hands-face-space when you’re at work or on your breaks remains the best way to prevent the spread in the workplace.”
Andy Burford, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for health and social care, echoed the plea to stay home as much as possible.
He added: “We know our residents have made a number of sacrifices during this lockdown, these sacrifices have helped to protect our NHS.
“It is great to see that local hospital occupancy and deaths is on the decline – but we can do more, please continue to stay at home and only make essential journeys.”
