Author: Sarah

Avian Influenza

Birdkeepers asked to remain vigilant in light of recent outbreaks

Shropshire Council’s regulatory services team are urging birdkeepers to remain vigilant in light of the recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza in neighbouring counties Cheshire and Herefordshire.

Avian Influenza (bird flu) is a notifiable animal disease that mainly affects birds, but it can also affect humans and other mammals.

Whilst there are currently no cases in Shropshire, animal health officers are asking birdkeepers, including domestic and commercial keepers, to check stock regularly for signs of Avian Influenza, and also to register their stock in case contact needs to be made.

Public Health England advises that the risk to the public’s health is very low, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

Signs of bird flu

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the more serious type. It is often fatal in birds. The main clinical signs of HPAI in birds are:

  • swollen head
  • blue discoloration of neck and throat
  • loss of appetite
  • respiratory distress such as gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling
  • diarrhoea
  • fewer eggs laid
  • increased mortality

Clinical signs can vary between species of bird and some species (for example ducks and geese) may show minimal clinical signs.

Advice 

If you suspect any type of bird flu in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77 – please select option 7).

Coronavirus: Shropshire COVID-19 update (30 October – 5 November 2020)

This is taken directly from the Shropshire Council website:

During the 7-day period from  30 October –  5 November 2020 in Shropshire:

  • 677 new cases reported
  • This was an increase of 157 cases compared to the previous week
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 209.5 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population.
  • For the West Midlands it was 304.1 per 100,000
  • For England it was 240.5 per 100,000
  • 108 cases relate to 20-29-year olds
  • 87 of cases relate to people aged 70+
  • We have seen an increase in outbreaks linked to schools and workplaces
  • During the last week 42% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area
  • 24% were in North Shropshire
  • 34% in South Shropshire
  • There are positive cases in every ward across Shropshire

The testing rate in Shropshire is still lower than many places across the country. People with symptoms of coronavirus – no matter how mild – are being encouraged to book a COVID-19 test as soon as possible.

Local testing sites can be found at:

  • Beatrice Street Car park,, Oswestry, SY11 1QW
  • Whitchurch Rugby Club, 21 Edgeley Road, Whitchurch SY13 1EU
  • London Road Car Park, Shrewsbury, SY2 6NS

Testing is available for anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19, such as a high temperature, a new cough, or a change in sense of taste or smell, or thinks they may have the virus.

Tests can be booked for yourself or any member of your household. Residents can register by calling NHS Test and Trace on 119 or by clicking here.

Lostford Bridge Closure 16-27 November 2020

The bridge carries the unclassified road from Drayton Field to the Lostford Junction of the A53 near Tern Hill. (See map).

Lostford No 2 Bridge will be closed for up to two weeks from Monday 16 November 2020 to carry out bridge and kerb repair works, together with vegetation removal and general repointing of the structure.

While the road is closed, traffic will be diverted south to Wollerton crossroads and onto Wood Lane and Mickley Lane.

Access over the bridge for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will remain available throughout the works, and access to frontages will be maintained up to the bridge closure.

Shropshire libraries operating ‘Ready Reads’ click & collect service

Although library branches are closed due to the current lockdown restrictions, Shropshire Libraries are pleased to be offering Ready Reads, a ‘click & collect’ style service offering tailored book choices selected by library staff.

To use Ready Reads customers can complete an online form that includes questions about what sort of books are preferred. Based on that information library staff will put together selections of books then contact the customer once they’re ready to collect.

The form is available on the library webpages .Alternatively the service can be accessed by telephoning one of the participating libraries.

As well as Ready Reads library customers can also take advantage of an extensive range of e-books and e-audiobooks, plus online magazines and newspapers. These can be accessed here.

Please check Shropshire Council’s  library webpages for full details.

Shropshire Covid-19 update (23-30 October 2020)

The following is taken directly from the Shropshire Council website:

During the 7-day period from 23 October to 30 October 2020 in Shropshire:

  • 576 new cases were reported
  • This was an increase of 244 cases compared to the previous week
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 178.3 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population
  • For the West Midlands it was 204.6 per 100,000
  • Infection rates in the over 60s have increased significantly in the last 7 days
  • 76% of cases were not related to outbreaks or clusters (i.e. one or two cases)
  • 6% were linked to care homes
  • Over the past 7 days, we saw positive cases in all but one of Shropshire’s electoral divisions

We are now in a four-week national lockdown, so it is important that people follow the guidance to help stop the spread of the virus .

  • You must not meet socially indoors or in private gardens with family or friends unless they are part of your household – meaning the people you live with – or support bubble.
  • Individuals can meet one other person from another household outside in a public place.
  • Children under school age, as well as those dependent on round-the-clock care who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside.

You can also help to stop the spread by:

  • Washing your hands
  • Wearing face coverings when required
  • Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms

Stay safe, look after each other – and thank you for stepping up Shropshire.

A53 Roadworks 5-6 November 2020

At Espley Roundabout to the turning for Greenfields Barn and from Espley Roundabout to the Stoke On Tern Junction, Hodnet.

This is to allow for multiple pole installations in the verge.

There will be multi-way signals so delays are possible.

Shropshire COVID-19 update (16-22 October 2020)

The following is taken directly from Shropshire Council:

During the 7-day period from 16 October to 22 October 2020 in Shropshire:

  • 332 new cases of coronavirus were reported
  • This was an increase of 73 cases compared to the previous week
  • The seven day infection rate for Shropshire was 102.7 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population.
  • For the West Midlands it was 204.6 per 100,000
  • For England it was 207.2 per 100,000
  • 77 cases related to people aged between 20-29
  • The average age for positive cases was 42
  • 36 cases were reported in work settings
  • During the last week 34% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area
  • 32% were in North Shropshire
  • 29% in South Shropshire
oronavirus cases in Shropshire between 16th October -22nd October

We have also seen a rise in the number of cases in the over 70s.

Shropshire remains in Tier One (Medium risk), under which the Rule of Six and a 10pm curfew for hospitality venues is in place.

But tougher coronavirus restrictions are now a step closer to being implemented in Shropshire due to the huge surge in the number of positive cases.

We are asking people to consider limiting the number of people you come into contact with – the fewer people you see, the less chance you have of catching and spreading the virus.

Coronavirus: Further restrictions ‘a step closer’ as Shropshire’s coronavirus cases continue to rise

Tougher coronavirus restrictions are now a step closer to being implemented in Shropshire following a huge rise in the number of positive cases.

The number of cases in Shropshire has surged again this week, at one point reaching a rate of 128.74 per 100,000 over 7 days.

Step Up and help us stop the spread of coronavirus:

  • Work from home if you can
  • Limit contact with other people
  • Keep your distance from people not in your household bubble (2 metres apart where possible)
  • Stick to a maximum group of 6 people when meeting socially – indoors or outdoors
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
  • Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will meet people you do not normally meet.
  • Anyone who has any symptoms should book a test and not leave home for at least 10 days. Those living in households should self-isolate for 14 days if they or any members of the household receive a positive test.
  • You can book a test by calling 119 or click here

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 our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.

A41 Roadworks 30 October 2020

On the A41 near ‘Green Pastures’, between Sweet Appletree Crossroads and the Tern Hill Roundabout.

There will be two-way signals while Western Power replace a decayed pole.

Delays are possible.