COVID-19 case numbers decrease 45% locally

No Indian variant has been detected during COVID-19 testing in Shropshire.

During the seven-day period between 7-13 May 2021:

• 31 new cases reported
• That is a 45% decrease on the previous week
• The seven-day infection rate for Shropshire was 9.6 per 100,000
• It was 16.5 for the West Midlands and 22.5 for England
• 1 hospital bed was occupied by a COVID-19 patient
• There were zero COVID-related deaths in our local hospitals

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: “It is encouraging to see a significant decrease in the number of reported COVID-19 cases, but with the Indian variant of concern B.1.617.2 spreading rapidly across the country, we need to remain cautious.

“There are now at least 86 local authorities with five or more confirmed cases of the new variant. Shropshire Council is not one of them. We have had two confirmed cases, linked to clusters out of the county. These individuals and their contacts have followed the guidelines and have isolated. No further cases have been reported at this stage.

“As a council we are prepared, and have procedures in place, if we do need to act quickly and begin surge testing, but I encourage everyone to play their part and help stop the spread. Please continue to follow the guidelines, test twice a week and get the vaccine when it is offered.”