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Staffordshire County Council issues a warning to residents and businesses after coronavirus cases more than doubled in a week.
The county council said the increase was in part due to a “large” outbreak in Leek – but also the continued emergence of the Delta variant of the virus, which spreads more easily.
Cases have increased in every district and arrondissement.
Tamworth Currently has the second highest case rate per 100,000 in Staffordshire at 31.3, only behind Staffordshire Moorlands at 95.5. Lichfield at 22.9 with Cannock Chase 16.9, East Staffordshire 20.9, South Staffordshire 11.6 and Stafford 8.7.
The seven-day rate for Staffordshire now stands at 25.7 cases per 100,000 population. It remains below the averages for England and the West Midlands, but health chiefs have warned people to be extra careful to prevent the spread of the infection.
Dr Johnny McMahon, member of Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet for Public Health and Integrated Care, said: “This recent increase in cases and the emergence of the Delta variant, which is said to be 40% more transmissible, is a stark warning that we cannot afford to be complacent and let our guard down.
‘The number of cases has been low for several weeks and the roll-out of the vaccination program has been a success across Staffordshire, so perhaps that, with more liberties, has allowed some complacency to start to take hold. .
“We cannot allow this to happen and take a damaging step backwards, especially after all the hard work we have put in to get us to this point.
“People need to stay focused – follow the rules, get the jab when offered and get tested twice a week or when asked to do so.”
Councilor Jeremy Oates, head of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Cases are increasing, but we expected them to do so with the easing of the lockdown.
“Hospitalization is not increasing, so more people have contracted the virus but are not entering the hospital and not dying of it yet. As a society, we can tolerate a slightly higher case rate. high because it doesn’t make people as sick as it used to be.
“It’s very easy to go back to the way we used to behave and I think we are seeing it now with the reopening of the ads.
“People forget when they get up to go to the bathroom to put on their masks or when they meet people they haven’t met in a while, the natural reaction is to give them a hug. I think people really do. a mistake to get back to the way they are raised. I certainly wouldn’t blame anyone.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. Let’s be reasonable, there’s no need to panic. Keep getting tested, they’re available regularly. If you get a positive test, stay away from people. When you can, get vaccinated. “
The latest local advice on coronavirus, testing and vaccinations can be found at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Coronavirus.
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