Shropshire Covid infections at five-month low
Covid cases across Shropshire and Mid Wales are now at their lowest rate for five months.
Both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin have seen infection rates plummet, with a combination of lockdown and more than 200,000 Covid vaccinations credited as taking effect.
The steep decline has seen the number of infections per 100,000 people drop from 160 in Telford & Wrekin on February 25, to 29 as of March 11 – the most recent date published by the government. Shropshire has dropped from 99 to 33 in the same period of time.
It means the county's infection levels are now below the national average of 47 per 100,000.
In Powys the rate has fallen from 64 per 100,000 to 36, which is close to the Welsh average.
Figures today reveal that nearly half of the people in Telford & Wrekin over the age of 16 have now received a Covid vaccination – some 69,792 people. The figure for the borough stands at 45 per cent, well above the national average of 39 per cent.
Councillor Andy Burford, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for health and social care, said it was "fantastic" news.
He added: "The vaccination programme progresses at pace with more priority groups to be invited for vaccination.
"We are asking people to please take up the opportunity to be vaccinated when offered. The vaccine is the best defence against the virus, the best way for people to protect their loved ones and a significant step forward towards a return to normality."
Optimism
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council's director of public health, said there was now a sense of optimism about the future, but she again reiterated the need to stick to the current rules.
She said: “The news about the continued falling number of infections, coupled with the rising number of people getting their vaccination, is rightly giving us all a sense of optimism after what has been a challenging few months.
“I liken our current situation to being 1-0 up in a football match. We are comfortable and in control – the last thing we want to do now is get complacent and let our hard-fought lead slip
“Everyone has worked so hard to get us to this point. I don't want to dampen anyone's optimism, but we really need everybody to continue to be sensible at this time.
“More than 200,000 people have now received their vaccinations locally, but we cannot get complacent or let our guard down. People who have had a vaccine may still carry coronavirus and unintentionally pass it on to friends, family or work colleagues, so it is crucial that we continue to follow all measures to control the spread of the virus."
Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin's Director for Public Health, added: "It is wonderful to see the steep decline in infection rates cases continuing.
“I am especially pleased that we recently managed to bring our infections down below the regional and national average in Telford and Wrekin.
"The decline in our infection rates is down to the efforts and sacrifices of our residents. Thank you to everyone who has played their part.
"But it is essential to acknowledge that we are not out of the woods yet. We need continue to play our part by following the rules, to keep cases down, to save lives."
