News

COVID-19 cases down by nearly 50%

During the 7-day period between 2-8 April 2021:

  • 32 new cases reported
  • This was a decrease of 29 cases (47%) compared to the previous week
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 9.9 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population
  • For the West Midlands it was 26.2 per 100,000
  • For England it was 27 per 100,000
  • 3 hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients
  • 0 (zero) COVID-19-related deaths at our hospitals
  • 4% of cases are linked to care homes
  • 40%  cases relate to people under the age of 30
  • 0% cases relate to people aged 70+
  • During the last week 40% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area
  • 48% were in north Shropshire
  • 12% were in south Shropshire

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: “Every resident in Shropshire should get a regular symptom-free Lateral Flow Test twice a week to ensure you are not unknowingly spreading coronavirus. You are now able to order symptom-free tests online or to collect from all our local testing sites, participating pharmacies, as well as local libraries and leisure centres.”

A full list of testing sites and collection points can be found here

If you think you may have coronavirus, or you are displaying any symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and book an NHS test by visiting gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.

Shropshire’s COVID-19 case rates hit a six-month low

During the 7-day period between 26 March – 1 April 2021:- 

  • 61 new cases reported 
  • This was a decrease of 31 cases (33%) compared to the previous week 
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 18.9 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population
  • For the West Midlands it was 45.8 per 100,000 
  • For England it was 40.9 per 100,000 
  • 5 hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients 
  • 0 (zero) COVID-19-related deaths at our hospitals 
  • 8% of cases are linked to care homes 
  • 30%  cases relate to people under the age of 30 
  • 2% cases relate to people aged 70+ 
  • During the last week 30% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area 
  • 32% were in north Shropshire 
  • 38% were in south Shropshire 

Getting tested 

From Friday April 9 2021, everyone in Shropshire will be able to access two rapid coronavirus tests a week (Lateral Flow Tests), under an extension of the Government’s testing programme. Regular testing for people without symptoms is an important tool, alongside hands, face, space, fresh air – and vaccinations – in allowing us to move safely forward as we ease out of the third Lockdown. 

As well as our testing centres and local pharmacies, you will be able to collect testing kits from local libraries and leisure centres from Monday 12 April.

A full list of collection sites are available here

Pick up points set-up for free Covid lateral flow test kits

Everyone across Shropshire will now be able to pick up free lateral flow Covid-19 home testing kits from sites across the county. 

The new collection points for the lateral flow tests will be available at libraries and leisure centres across the Shropshire from Monday 12th April. Full details are on the Shropshire Council website.

Market Drayton Library is the collection point nearest to Hodnet. The opening times are:

Mondays – Wednesdays: 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm
Thursday – CLOSED
Friday – 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm
Saturday – 10am – 1pm
Sunday – CLOSED

Help Out to Walk Out!

From Hodnet Footpath Group

Over the past year we have seen a big increase in the number of people using our local paths; partly because of the effect of Covid 19 exercise restrictions and partly, we like to think, because our 10 local walk leaflets coupled with the repairs/signage/clearance work we do have all made it easier for people to discover what is on their doorstep.

With uncertainty still ahead, we are not planning a programme of public walks this year, our priority instead being to carry out neglected items of maintenance, e.g. stile repairs and cutting back vegetation.

As with many such groups, we are surprisingly few in number (and not getting any younger!) so would be very grateful to anyone who would consider joining our group &/or assisting in our occasional work parties. We are a friendly, informal bunch and not only do we do ‘good works’ but we have some fun too!

So, if you’ve enjoyed our walks and appreciate the (often hidden) work that facilitates them, please help to make a difference for the future and get in touch. Contact details are on our webpage, see HERE, or find us on Facebook.


A53 Shawbury Closure 9 April – 7 May 2021

Between the nursing home and Mytton Road, for surface dressing.

The closure information says that the closure will be ‘all the time’ and then gives a variety of dates when different work will be done before adding that the work is weather dependent and dates are subject to change!

The planned diversion is via the A49 and A41, so it is likely that traffic will be busier along quiet country lanes; do take care.

Easter Refuse Collection Changes

Collection crews will be working as normal on Good Friday. 

Collections will be one day late week commencing 5th April 2021, so the collection due on Friday 9th will take place on Saturday 10th April.

A41 Roadworks 31 March – 1 April 2021

There will be a lane closure, Northbound, of the Bletchley dual carriageway as well as two-way signals between Tern Hill roundabout and the start of the dual carriageway.

Delays are likely.

Increased traffic through surrounding villages and lanes is very likely. Please take extra care.

Shropshire’s COVID-19 cases fall again

During the 7-day period between 12-18 March 2021:-

  • 95 new cases reported
  • This was a decrease of 12 cases (11%) compared to the previous week
  • The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 29.4 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population.
  • For the West Midlands it was 66.1 per 100,000
  • For England it was 56 per 100,000
  • 16 hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients
  • 11 COVID-19-related deaths at our hospitals
  • 45 cases relate to people under the age of 30
  • 3 cases relate to people aged 70+
  • During the last week 28% of cases were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area
  • 54% were in north Shropshire
  • 18% were in south Shropshire

The decline in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Shropshire has started to slow down, after the rapid falls in recent weeks.