Warning as Staffordshire's coronavirus case rates double

Staffordshire County Council is issuing a warning to residents and businesses as Coronavirus figures rise in the county.

Covid-19 case rates have increased in Staffordshire – with latest figures showing they have more than doubled in the last week. This is partly due to a significant outbreak in Leek, but cases have increased in every district and borough. This is likely due to the ongoing emergence of the Delta variant of the virus, which spreads more easily

The seven-day rate for Staffordshire now sits at 25.7 cases per 100,000 population. This remains below the England and West Midlands averages, but health chiefs at the Council are warning that people need to be extra careful to prevent the spread of infection.

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr. Johnny McMahon said:

“This recent rise in cases and the emergence of the Delta variant, which is thought to be 40% more transmissible, is a stark warning that we cannot afford to be complacent and let our guard down.

“Cases have been low for several weeks and the vaccine programme rollout has been successful across Staffordshire, so perhaps this along with more freedoms being enjoyed has allowed some complacency to start to creep in. We can’t allow that to happen and take a damaging backwards step, especially after all the hard work we have put in to get us to this stage.

“People need to remain focussed - follow the rules in place, get the jab when offered and get tested twice a week or when asked to do so.”

The Council feel vaccine take up in younger people is crucial to stemming this recent rise

There's a firm push to vaccinate over 18's in Leek and over 25's elsewhere in the county.

All people over 25 in England can now book a Covid jab and the County Council is encouraging younger people not to delay in booking their vaccination.

This introduction marks six months since the UK began its vaccination programme. More than 40 million people have had at least one vaccination so far.

Covid cases rates have increased nationally and in Staffordshire – with latest figures showing new cases have more than doubled in the last week.

Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health said:

“All adults getting both doses of the vaccine is vital for people to protect themselves and their family and put us in a position where we can safely navigate the final stage of the roadmap.

“We know younger people have made tremendous sacrifices and have missed out on lots of activities like travel and larger sporting and music events.

“After everybody’s hard work these are finally in touching distance and it is critical people aged 25-29 do not delay or put off getting their vaccine.

“You do not need to wait to be contacted – I would urge younger people to book your appointment as soon as possible and join the millions who are already protected.

“Get your jab, get tested regularly and keep following the rules currently in place and know that you have done your bit heading into the summer.”

The below people can now book their vaccination appointments:

• you're aged 18 and over and live or work in Leek
• you're aged 25 and over
• you'll turn 25 before 1 July 2021
• you're at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• you have a learning disability
• you're a frontline health or social care worker
• you get a Carer's Allowance, get support following an assessment by your local authority or your GP record shows you're a carer

• You do not need to wait to be contacted by the NHS - people can book their vaccine by visiting the NHS Book a coronavirus vaccination website or calling 119.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

• Staffordshire
• coronavirus
• delta