Telford & Wrekin Council (TWC) has published Telford & Wrekin’s coronavirus figures for the week ending 18 October 2020. Compared to the figures from the week ending 11 October, cases in the borough have nearly doubled, rising from 144 cases in the previous week, to 276 cases – an increase of 89%.
The coronavirus figures for Telford & Wrekin for the week ending 18 October 2020 showed:
- 276 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19
- The seven day infection rate for Telford and Wrekin is 153 confirmed cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population
- For the West Midlands the average is 166 confirmed cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population
- For England the average is 177 confirmed cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population
- 6 cases relate to care homes
- 22 cases relate to educational settings
- At least 41 cases are students relating to Harper Adams
- The remaining people are in the community across the borough
- There are currently 20 people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the hospital
“About a third of this increase relates to students at Harper Adams [University] testing positive, and we are working hard with the university to manage that situation,” said Liz Noakes, Director of Public Health, in TWC’s Newsroom article. “Not all the increase can be related to students. There is ongoing transmission in the community – between members of the same family, between friends and work colleagues.
“Sadly some of our more vulnerable members of our community are being affected, with rates of infection increasing in the over 60s – currently we have 20 people with Covid at the Princess Royal Hospital.”
TWC warned last week that Tier Two restrictions “appeared inevitable” at the growth rates recorded. Then, TWC reported 81 confirmed cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population. This week they have reported 153 confirmed cases of COVID-19 per 100,000.
Telford & Wrekin is currently still classified as a Tier One (“medium”) alert level. You can find your local area’s coronavirus alert level with a postcode search on the gov.uk website.
The Tier Two (“high”) alert level is introduced when areas have confirmed cases exceeding 100 per 100,000 of the population.
Tier Two brings tighter restrictions, such as limitations on socialising with people from other households. Find out more about the local COVID alerts system on the gov.uk website.
“As a community we have done so much to protect ourselves, our friends and our family, but as infections continue to rise I would urge people to take more precautions,” said Liz Noakes. “Isolate and get tested when you have any symptoms of COVID, however mild – local testing sites are available.”
TWC is encouraging people to:
- Isolate and get tested if you have any COVID symptoms.
- Isolate for 14 days if you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive.
- Don’t meet up with people from other households if possible. If you do, remember the rule of six and meet outside when you can.
- Work from home if you are able, and don’t carpool with people from other households.
- Socially distance, wear a face covering, and wash your hands often.
“Together we need to fight this virus, protect ourselves and our loved ones,” Liz Noakes said.