Slight fluctuation in Shropshire's Covid infection rates
Covid infection rates are showing a slight fluctuation across Shropshire, latest figures show.
There were 45 new cases reported in Telford and Wrekin last week – four more than the previous seven-day period.
Meanwhile, 30 new cases were reported in Shropshire in the seven days to April 15, two fewer than the week before.
Health bosses have warned there are currently two clusters of cases in Hadley, Leegomery, Oakengates and Ketley Bank, making up a significant proportion of cases in the area.
Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin's director for public health, said: "For six weeks now, our local figures have fluctuated between 30 and 60 cases, remaining broadly stable.
"Local outbreaks can significantly impact on the total case numbers we have.
“The council is working hard to support organisations experiencing an outbreak and stands ready to act for any future ones.
"We ask everyone to please continue to be cautious, follow the rules and get tested twice a week."
People with no symptoms can pick up a home testing kit from several collection points across the borough or go to one of the rapid testing sites.
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: “It’s encouraging to see cases going down in Shropshire and that we have one of the lowest infection rates in the region.
“The number of people in Shropshire doing a regular lateral flow test is growing, and this is welcome news in our fight against coronavirus.
“The lateral flow tests can provide results in around 30 minutes, give us an accurate picture of the virus rates in communities, and play a huge part in helping us to continue to drive down the number of infections and therefore save lives.
“While we’re still seeing a small decline in cases across our county, this decrease is slowing down.
“Coronavirus is still very much with us and people are still being infected with Covid-19.
"As restrictions have eased somewhat, we just can’t afford to be complacent.
"It’s vital, more than ever, to remain vigilant and continue to follow the basics – hands, face and space – to ensure that we do not cause a spike in our infection rates.
“We urge everyone to continue to play their part to help minimise the spread of the virus and not to put your health and those of others at risk.”
If you think you may have Covid-19, or are displaying any symptoms, you are encouraged to self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test by visiting gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.
