Newsroom Archive

The infection rate has decreased by 23%, but this comes with the sad news that 21 people have died from the virus – the highest weekly total since the start of the pandemic.

For the week ending 24 January, the situation in the borough is:

• 701 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 

• This is a 23% decrease compared with last week’s total of 912 cases*

• The seven day infection rate for Telford and Wrekin is 390 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 

• For the West Midlands, the seven day infection rate is 424 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000

• For England, the seven day infection rate is 351 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000

• Sadly, 21 people in the borough has died within 28 days of a positive covid test in the past week (bringing the total borough deaths to 183)

• There were 152 people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Telford and Shrewsbury hospitals, as of 24 January

*(this figure has been revised up from 906 last week)

Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin’s Director for Public Health, said: “Its good news that cases are beginning to decline in Telford and Wrekin but our local NHS is under significant pressure and will continue to be so for some time.  

“This is shown by the sad reality that more people died last week with the virus than at any point since the start of the pandemic.

“It is an awful reminder that this virus is deadly to many and that we all have a responsibility to play our part to prevent the spread of the virus.”

“Thank you to everyone for following the rules by staying at home – this supports doctors and nurses during this tough period but also ensures that the NHS is there for us should we need them.

“We all need to act like they have the virus, and that those they meet are carrying it too. It is crucial that people regularly wash hands, wear face coverings, and social distance 100% of the time.

“More rapid testing sites will be opening soon across the borough for those over the age of 16 who are not displaying symptoms to get tested – especially for those people who can’t avoid leaving home for work.

“If you show any symptoms of coronavirus you must urgently self-isolate and get tested, getting a test is one of the reasons people can leave home in this lockdown.”

Andy Burford, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “The faster our local cases fall the quicker we can ease pressure on our local NHS.

“I’d like to thank everyone for following the rules and staying at home, I know this difficult time for us all, particularly in these long winter days.

“It is heartening to see so many people getting vaccinated the Telford International Centre today, it gives us hope more deaths can be avoided.

“However, this is just one part of how to fight the virus, in the coming weeks and months we must continue to play our part in following lockdown rules even if you have been immunised so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible.”