Three new deaths from virus but figures slowly improving
THE VIRTUAL CLASSES WILL HELP TO KEEP PEOPLE ACTIVE
THE latest coronavirus figures have been revealed for Staffordshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
The Government figures for the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday, February 15, show hundreds of people across the three counties tested positive for the virus.
Three deaths were recorded in the counties, according the figures - down from 79 in the previous four days.
There have been 9,765 new cases across the UK in the latest 24-hour period, taking the total to 4,047,843. A total of 230 more deaths have been registered across the country, taking the overall total to 117,196.
It comes as Staffordshire County Council praises schools and parents for their resilience throughout the pandemic.
Councillor Jonathan Price, the council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Teachers and school staff have been working incredibly hard throughout this pandemic, and I know recent news that schools will not now open fully until at least March has been disappointing for most. As a father home-educating two children with the support of Staffordshire schools, I also know how difficult it has been for parents too, and I want to thank them for continuing to do the best for their children in sometimes difficult circumstances.
“Any reopening of schools to more pupils has to be done in a safe way, and with infection rates still high in Staffordshire and across the county, it is important we do everything we can to keep our children and the wider
school community safe.
“There is some fantastic work going on in schools and homes across the county, and we are incredibly grateful for the work teachers, parents and the rest of the community is doing throughout the pandemic.”
Here is the picture as of today in the districts in our area:
East Staffordshire
A total of 8,616 people have now had confirmed cases of covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic - a rise of 26 in the last 24 hours. There has been one death announced in the borough, so the total stands at 372 since the pandemic began. The population of the borough is around 119,754.
A total of 134 new cases were recorded across Staffordshire as a whole, including those in East Staffordshire. That means 54,592 people have tested positive in the county as a whole since the start of the pandemic.
One more person has died across the county, meaning 2,172 deaths have been recorded in Staffordshire. All cases were within 28 days of people testing positive for the virus.
Elsewhere in Staffordshire, Cannock Chase saw 21 new infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 6,527 since the pandemic began.
South Staffordshire has recorded 8,095 cases throughout the pandemic, including 16 new cases in that same period.
Stafford has recorded 8,046 cases throughout the pandemic. That represents an increase of 18.
Staffordshire Moorlands has recorded 4,856 cases throughout the pandemic. There has been an increase of 13 cases.
South Derbyshire
There have been 20 new cases, with the total since the start of the pandemic now standing at 6,482. There has been one death – the only one in the county – and the total number now stands at 208. The district’s population is around 107,261.
In Derbyshire as a whole, there have been 44,281 cases, 118 of which have been registered in the last 24 hours analysed. These figures include the South Derbyshire cases. Across the county, where the population is 802,694, 1,676 people have died from the virus.
North West Leicestershire
In North West Leicestershire, there have now been 5,147 cases since the start of the pandemic, including 31 new cases.
A total of 190 people have died within 28 days of testing positive, with one new death recorded in the last 24 hours. In that time, a total of 39,305 cases have been recorded in Leicestershire as a whole, with 128 new cases. The population is around 706,155.
There has been one new death, meaning 1,185 have now died within 28 days of testing positive.
A BURTON gym has set up free virtual gym classes to help people stay fit and healthy during lockdown.
Fundamental Fitness, in Wetmore Road, runs two training sessions six days a week via Zoom.
Owner Khalid Khawaja says the free service is there as way to get people active and “there is no price on health”.
The sessions are held by one personal trainer at a time to comply with government guidelines and include pilates, core sessions and high-intensity workouts to help burn lockdown calories.
Khalid, 33, who lives in Burton, said: “The last year’s been very difficult for gyms due to the uncertainty and having to close, then open and now close again.
“I was still in regular contact with the personal trainers at my gym, who were telling me not being able to do their jobs was having a big impact on their mental health and that’s when I decided to not only give them something to do, but allow my customers and even those who have never been to my gym - a chance to get some exercise from home.
“It was always in the pipeline, but when I spoke to my staff and some of my customers who liked the idea, I went ahead with it.
When I posted what we were doing on social media it was amazing to see the response and, even though we’re only two weeks into the session, we’ve had a lot of interest and I have a feeling it’ll grow as time progresses
“Fitness helps a lot, not just to prevent illnesses, but if you are suffering mentally it’s a good way to let off steam and helps your immune system.
“I want to look out for my community and help keep them well and safe. Times are very tough at the moment and if I can help via my gym then I’ll be more than happy to oblige and so far I am happy with the progress.”
Those interested have to book their slots online at the website www.fundamentalfitnessltd.co.uk/ and once their place has been booked they receive a meeting request.
A BUILDING once associated with Burton’s rich brewing history could be turned into 70 apartments, new plans have revealed.
The Coors Technical Training Centre, in Cross Street, in the town, is currently empty.
It has been sold on after Molson Coors moved operations out from one of its breweries in Station Street which is next to the training centre.
An application has now been submitted by AG Construction Ltd for approval to turn the building into 70 one-bedroom apartments.
It has been confirmed that the application relates to the Coors Technical Training Centre which is across the street.
Allister Gardiner, from AG Construction, told the Burton Mail that there was a demand in Burton town centre for young professionals seeking one-bedroom apartments.
A report to the council from the applicant says to the east of the site lies the large Molson Coors brewery which has been decommissioned and ways were currently being looked into to repurposing the site to a suitable use.
The south brewery was built in 1864 and was previously connected to the company’s north brewery site across Station Street by an overhead bridge. It last produced a brew in December 2017 and, following a £100 million investment over the last decade, Molson Coors transferred all brewing activity to its north brewery the following year.
Last year it was revealed that this brewery was sold to property developer Day-dako Developments.