Shropshire Star

County not 'out of the woods' despite fall in virus rates

A public health director has warned the county is not "out of the woods" despite having one of the lowest rates of Covid cases in the region.

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People have been urged to continue following government lockdown restrictions

The current rate in Shropshire is 195 cases per 100,000 people, but the county has seen a smaller decline in comparison to other areas of the West Midlands.

The rate does remain higher in Telford & Wrekin at 276, while Powys is now at 92.

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire’s Director of Public Health said there had been an increase in cases at "work place and care homes", by that they were being monitored to stop any further spread.

Mrs Robinson said: "Our numbers continue to fall, and we now have one of lowest rates in the West Midlands. This is of course welcome news but we're not out of the woods just yet.

"We also have one of the highest testing rates in the region, which mean we can identify positive cases quickly and ask any affected individuals to self-isolate.

“Over the past weeks, we have seen an increase in the number of positive cases linked to both work places and care homes.

"Our public health teams continue to monitor the situation closely and work with these settings to stem the spread of infection and support both residents and staff."

Mrs Robinson repeated the pleas for people to follow the guidelines, and also said it is also vital people get tested if they have symptoms.

She urged people to get precautionary tests even if they have some of the less common symptoms of the virus.

She said: "To drive Shropshire’s rates down even further we need to continue sticking to the hands, face, space rule and stay at home for all but essential reasons.

"If you have symptoms, please self-isolate and organise to get tested.

"We have testing available in Ludlow, Oswestry, Shifnal and Shrewsbury for people with symptoms, We are also asking people to consider getting tested as a precaution if they have any less common symptoms, such as a headache, sore throat and shortness of breath. Please make use of these centres and take up the offer of testing.

"Rapid testing is also available for key workers and those people who has a job that means they cannot work from home at our centres in Shrewsbury and Craven Arms. Rapid tests can be booked using the following link – www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting.

“This type of test is for people who are asymptomatic – please call 119 or visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to book a test if you have any symptoms.””

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