Residents in Staffordshire are being warned that the county could soon be placed on the Government’s High Alert Level, unless it can curb the rising number of Covid-19 cases.
All borough and districts are now seeing their numbers rise fast, with Cannock and South Staffordshire running at above the national level per 100,000 of population.
Dr Johnny McMahon, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said every effort is being made to remain at Medium Alert Level – and if the county does move to High Alert Level, the priority will be to get back down to Medium Alert as quickly as possible.
Johnny said: “We are doing everything we can to protect the lives of the vulnerable and prevent the Government from imposing further restrictions on our county.
“We have seen from other parts of the country how the situation can also quickly escalate from High to Very High, so as a county we need to seize this opportunity to halt the rapid rise in cases.”
The Government’s Medium alert level means residents must follow existing laws and national guidance. Moving to High would mean it would be illegal for more than one household, unless part of a support bubble, to meet inside socially. Moving to Very High would see many businesses forced to close.
In parts of Staffordshire, advice on limiting mixing with households has also been introduced and this is being considered on a case by case basis by each district and borough depending on a number of factors including the numbers and the nature of the spread of infection.
As of today the rate of infections over seven days per 100,000 population are: Staffordshire 155.6, West Midlands 156.2 and England 168.8
By local area they are: Cannock 182.6, South Staffordshire 182.3, Staffordshire Moorlands 164.6, Stafford 162.4, Newcastle 159.9, Tamworth 138.20, East Staffordshire 126.1 and Lichfield 125.1.
The law and national guidance for Medium Alert includes: Washing your hands regularly, covering your face where compulsory, keeping your distance, not meeting socially in groups of more than six, self-isolating and getting a test if you have symptoms and self-isolating for 10 days if you test positive and for 14 days if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
Johnny added: “The last thing anyone of us wants to do is see further restrictions, so we must take the opportunity to act now and follow the rules. This is our best hope of bringing cases down, protecting the vulnerable and making sure the doors of Staffordshire’s businesses remain open.”
For more information and advice see www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
Philip Atkins OBE
County Councillor for Uttoxeter Rural Division
philip.atkins@staffordshire.gov.uk
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