Shropshire COVID-19 update (11-17 December 2020)

The following is taken directly from Shropshire Council’s website:

During the 7-day period from 11-17 December 2020 in Shropshire:

  • 299 new cases reported
  • This was an increase of 6 cases compared to the previous week
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 92.5 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population.
  • For the West Midlands it was 214.1 per 100,000
  • For England it was 282.2 per 100,000
  • 86 cases relate to people under the age of 30
  • 39 cases relate to people aged 70+
  • During the last week 29% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area
  • 43% were in north Shropshire
  • 28% in south Shropshire

Shropshire Council is asking all residents not to travel to Tier 4 areas and Wales for the festive break.

If you are currently in a Tier 4 area or Wales and were planning on returning to Shropshire for Christmas, please stay at home and protect your loved ones.

We are asking anyone who has travelled to the region from any Tier 4 areas or Wales, to self-isolate for at least ten days when they arrive. This means remaining inside the house where you’re staying for the whole ten days. Other people who live in the house do not need to self-isolate unless anyone gets symptoms, but no visitors should be allowed in that house at all, even on Christmas Day.

Rapid testing is available for people who have travelled from a Tier 4 area or Wales. Please note this testing is only available if you do not have any covid symptoms. You will still need to self-isolate, regardless of the result of this test.

Rapid tests can be booked using the following link – http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting/

If you have travelled from a Tier 4 area and have symptoms, you MUST get tested by calling 119 or online here . You MUST self-isolate for 10 days, and don’t wait for your test result to start self-isolating.

Here are some key things you can do:

  • Do not travel to Tier 4 areas
  • Although our region is not in Tier 4, rates are increasing, and it is highly likely that the new variant is circulating. So please reduce your contact to a minimum, and act like people you see have the virus. Remember that people may have the virus and show no symptoms.
  • Change your Christmas plans as much as you can. You can only meet your Christmas bubble on 25 December. Keep your visit as short as possible, as few people as possible and outdoors if you can.
  • If you need help with food, call Shropshire Council’s dedicated helpline: 0345 678 9028 or email customerfirst@shropshire.gov.uk
  • Look out for other people: pick up the phone, see people online and check if they are OK. Ask for help if you’re not. There is lots of local support available

For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 (lines open on the weekend on Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-12pm) or visit the council website.