Covid: Staffordshire & Cheshire move to Tier 4
The rules come in from the beginning of Thursday 31 December 2020
Last updated 30th Dec 2020
Staffordshire & Cheshire will move to Tier 4 to limit the spread of the virus as case rates rise across the country.
The following local authority areas will move to 'Tier 4: Stay at Home' from the beginning of Thursday 31 December 2020:
- Black Country (Dudley, Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton)
- Staffordshire (East Staffordshire, Stafford, South Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle under Lyme, Tamworth, Stoke-on-Trent)
- Warrington and Cheshire
- But what does that mean?
Between 18 and 24 December the weekly case rate in England rose to 402.6 per 100,000, a 32% increase on the previous week.
The NHS reports 14,915 patients have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in the past week, an 18% increase on the week before.
Evidence shows the new strain of COVID-19 is increasing in the South West, Midlands and parts of the North West.
The majority of the cases identified in London, the South East and the East of England are of the new variant.
Infection rates have increased faster than expected in these areas where the new strain has been circulating and stronger measures are required to get the virus under control.
Rates in the West Midlands have increased to 273.5 per 100,000, a 23% increase on the previous week.
In a statement, the Government say:
Winter is always the most difficult time of year for the NHS and an increase in COVID-19 infections is followed closely by a rise in hospitalisations and, after a lag, an increase in deaths.
It is vital everyone plays their part by following the regional tiered restrictions in their area to bring down infections, save lives and reduce pressures on the NHS this winter.
All clinically extremely vulnerable individuals will be asked to shield if they live in Tier 4 areas. People will be sent a letter or email with advice and details of support.
In the meantime they should follow the shielding advice set out on GOV.UK.
Tier 3 and 4 areas will continue to be prioritised for community testing, with more than 100 local authorities now having signed up to the enhanced testing support programme.
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