‘We are not out of the woods yet’
Civic leaders issue warning after Moorlands area sees spike in coronavirus cases
RESIDENTS across the Staffordshire Moorlands have been urged to take care and be vigilant after the district was named on a list of England’s top 10 coronavirus hotspots.
The Staffordshire Moorlands – home to around 98,000 people – was 10th on a list of areas, ranked behind Leicester, which had the highest number of new labconfirmed cases.
Public Health England figures show there has been a spike in cases in the Staffordshire Moorlands, with eight between June 13 and 19, and a further 13 between June 20 and 26.
The latest figures show the figures have gone up from 364 on June 26 to 367 as of yesterday.
The infection rate has also gone up from 369.9 to 373 per 100,000 people.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Staffordshire Moorlands since the start of the pandemic is also more than 40 per cent more than has previously been reported in government data - new figures reveal.
Previously Public Health England’s daily coronavirus update with confirmed cases, only included lab-confirmed tests, known as Pillar One tests, which showed the district’s total as 254.
But from last week it now includes all positive tests, including pillar two ones such as tests carried out at regional testing centres, using home testing kits and other facilities.
The new data reveals there had in fact been 364 cases of the virus confirmed in the district - an increase of 43.30 per cent from the number previously reported.
Now public leaders have urged people to remain safe and vigilant.
Councillor Sybil Ralphs, leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said: “Any increase in confirmed cases is, of course, a concern and we will continue to work closely with our partners to keep this situation under review.
“While these numbers are, thankfully, low it does demonstrate that the virus has not gone away and we all need to remain vigilant to contain it and keep ourselves, our families and friends and our colleagues safe.
“Safety measures are in place and the guidance is clear – we need to continue to keep the required distance apart from others, clean our hands regularly and abide by the advice and any safety measures put in place at any locations we visit.
“I would strongly urge residents and people visiting the Moorlands to strictly adhere to these measures which are there to contain the spread of the virus and to protect everyone’s safety.”
Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley has also urged people to follow government advice. Mrs Bradley said: “I am looking carefully at this issue and regularly discuss it with the county and district councils and Ministers. Decisions around local lockdowns are matters for the county council quite rightly these decisions should be taken locally.”
All three town mayors of Leek, Cheadle and Biddulph have also urged residents of the Moorlands to be vigilant.
Cheadle mayor, Ian Plant, said: “Everybody has to take care as the virus is still here. Residents must remain vigilant”.
Leek town mayor, Stephen Wales, said: “We have to proceed with caution. We are not out of the woods yet as the virus is still out there.”
Biddulph town mayor, John Jones, said: “We have to be sensible. There has been a percentage increase, but the numbers are not big.
“There has been an influx of visitors to our beautiful area. We need visitors to help the economy, but at the same time we have to be careful.”