Covid-19 Latest News
For the latest news on Covid-19, please follow this link to the Government website
Keep up to date with the latest news and how Covid-19 is affecting where you live or work bu following this link for Staffordshire County Council Coronavirus news
If you need assistance, please follow this line for details of the South Staffs Council Covid-19 hotline
16.11.20 – Staffordshire will be Tier 3 on 2nd December after Lockdown 2
18.11.20 – Latest Figures for the locality
03.11.2020 – 2nd Lockdown
For those struggling with their mental health, please seek help. (See numbers below)
22.10.2020 – Covid Testing
13.10.2020 – Calls for Staffordshire Residents to Redouble Efforts after Prime Minister Confirms New Covid Tier System
Residents and businesses are being called on to redouble their efforts against Covid-19, after a new three tier system of Covid-19 restrictions was announced.
The three tiers of “medium, “high” and “very high” will see restrictions tighten with each tier. Only the city of Liverpool is currently classed as “very high” with pubs, gyms and leisure centres closing from Wednesday. Staffordshire is in the “medium” tier.
Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, said: “Covid-19 is tightening its grip everywhere, including in Staffordshire where cases are rising fast in parts of the county.
“We have worked hard as a county to protect the vulnerable and we continue to act swiftly to contain outbreaks to help reduce the risk to both lives and livelihoods.
“But the situation in Liverpool is a stark reminder of what could happen here if we don’t act now, so we are asking people of all ages to redouble their efforts to help keep Staffordshire safe.
“Complacency is Covid-19’s biggest friend and the consequences of not sticking to the rules are now in our own hands.”
While Staffordshire as a whole remains below the national rate, Newcastle-under-Lyme is running at a rate of 146 per 100,000 population, above England’s rate of 141.1, the West Midlands rate of 109.8 and Staffordshire’s rate of 104.8.
This is in part due to an outbreak among Keele University students and staff, which has seen almost 70 people test positive in the last couple of weeks.
As Staffordshire is in the “medium” tier this means no extra county-wide guidance is in place. Local county council advice remains in force in parts of Burton only.
The national guidance for the Medium Tier includes:
Good hygiene and social distancing: Wash your hands regularly and keep your 2m distance
Meeting with friends and family: Limit your contact. If you do need to meet up, limit this to no more than six from multiple households. There are exceptions, for example if your household or support bubble is larger than six
Going to work: You should work at home if possible
Education: Schools, nurseries and universities are open
Leisure: Pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm
Face coverings: Must be worn in shops and on public transport
Test and Trace: You must stay in and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus if you have symptoms. If positive you must stay in for 10 days. Anybody who you have been in close contact with must self-isolate for 14 days.
Keep up to date with the latest news and how Covid-19 is affecting where you live or work at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
08.10.2020 – Testing in South Staffordshire to help curb rise in cases
People in South Staffordshire with symptoms of Covid-19 are being urged to step forward and get tested in a bid to help curb an increase in cases in the district.
The drive-through Mobile Testing Unit has been deployed in response to a rise in cases in the area and will be at South Staffordshire Council Building on Wolverhampton Road in Codsall.
Testing will take place today (Wednesday), Thursday and Friday of this week between 9-4pm. Booking is via the national portal at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119. Residents are urged not to turn up without an appointment.
Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said: “There has been a high number of Covid-19 cases in South Staffordshire, so this testing has been put together to encourage as many people as possible with symptoms of Covid-19 to get a test.
“Testing helps us see how the virus is spreading and where people should be self-isolating to contain the virus.”
The county continues to work closely with South Staffordshire District Council, Public Health England and local communities in the call for people to follow national guidance carefully.
The guidance is to:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Limit your contact with people not in your household and keep to the “rule of six”
- Stay at home when you can. If you do need to go out keep your distance – 2m ideally
- Wear face coverings on public transport and in shops
- Self-isolate for ten days and book a test if you have symptoms
Self-isolate for 14 days if you have been contacted by the NHS Test & Trace Service and told you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.