Cllr Joe Porter releases a COVID-19 update for the Moorlands

LATEST COVID-19 UPDATE – TUESDAY 29TH JUNE 2021

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you and your families are all safe and well. Please see and share the latest coronavirus update below.

You will see that the seven-day rate in the Staffordshire Moorlands is higher than the Staffordshire overall rate – as is neighbouring Newcastle under Lyme. As we have always said, there is no room for complacency whatsoever in this area.

The recent issues that we had in Leek, Cheddleton and surrounding areas were most concerning, however due to the swift actions that we took working with our partners the situation, whilst worrying, would seem to be under control. There was a great response to the surge testing programme with a great return rate of 77 % from our schools. A continued tremendous team effort by everyone concerned to beat this virus – none of us can drop our guard!

LATEST SITUATION:

The seven-day rate in Staffordshire is 67.3 per 100,000 of population, but remains below the West Midlands rate of 89.1 and England rate of 111.5.

See below by area: Cannock Chase – 46.6 East Staffordshire – 51.8 Lichfield – 58.2 Newcastle – 99.7 South Staffordshire – 60.5 Stafford – 45.9 Staffordshire Moorlands – 77.2 Tamworth – 100.5 Stoke-on-Trent – 105

LEEK – SURGE TESTING:

More than 7,000 people in Leek and Cheddleton were tested as part of the surge testing drive across schools and in the local community – which was a fantastic response. The return rate from schools was 77 per cent.

Thanks to the pro-active testing and self-isolation of school bubbles and contacts the outbreak is now considered to be under control. The situation will continue to be monitored closely.

PEOPLE WITHOUT SYMTOMS:

Everyone is being encouraged to have a Covid test twice weekly, even if they have had the vaccine.

You can also find your nearest community testing centre or pharmacist offering testing kits by your postcode at Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests - NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)

Full details of all the testing options are available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

PEOPLE WITH SYMTOMS:

People should self-isolate and book an appointment at one of the national testing sites only. They should not use a Lateral Flow Test. Booking can be made at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119

MTU (Mobile Testing Unit) Rota for the next two weeks – Subject to Change:

Tuesday 29th June Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL Lichfield, WS13 6QG JCB – Cheadle, ST10 2JU

Wednesday 30th June Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL Lichfield, WS13 6QG JCB – Cheadle, ST10 2JU

Thursday 1st July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL Codsall, WV8 1PX Leek Britannia HQ (Newton House), ST13 5RL

Friday 2nd July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent Codsall, WV8 1PX Leek Britannia HQ (Newton House), ST13 5RL

Saturday 3rd July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL JCB Tunstall – Genesis Centre, ST6 4PY JCB – Cheadle, ST10 2JU

Sunday 4th July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent JCB Tunstall – Genesis Centre, ST6 4PY JCB – Cheadle, ST10 2JU

Monday 5th July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL Codsall, WV8 1PX Leek Britannia HQ (Newton House), ST13 5RL

Tuesday 6th July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL Codsall, WV8 1PX Leek Britannia HQ (Newton House), ST13 5RL

Wednesday 7th July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent Lichfield, WS13 6QG JCB – Cheadle, ST10 2JU

Thursday 8th July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL Lichfield, WS13 6QG JCB – Cheadle, ST10 2JU

Friday 9th July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent Tamworth Sir Robert Peel, B78 3NG Leek Britannia HQ (Newton House), ST13 5RL

Saturday 10th July Meadowside LC – Burton On Trent, DE14 1TL JCB Tunstall – Genesis Centre, ST6 4PY Leek Britannia HQ (Newton House), ST13 5RL

VACCINATIONS:

The NHS is hosted a Big Weekend of walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations across Staffordshire from Saturday 26 to Monday 28 June. This is part of a national push to get as many people as possible vaccinated against Covid-19.

No booking is necessary, and anyone aged 18 or over will be able to arrive without an appointment for their vaccine on a first-come-first jabbed basis.

Certain sites will also be offering second doses of Astra Zeneca to people aged over 40 years old, health and social care workers, unpaid carers, and people at higher clinical risk, from eight weeks after their first dose instead of the initial 12 weeks.

I hope this update is useful and please feel free to contact me by messaging this page or emailing joe.porter@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk should you need any assistance with any local issues.