County has 40 Covid ‘hotspot’ areas- with one in the Moorlands

FORTY parts of Staffordshire have been declared coronavirus ‘hotspots’ – including an area of the Moorlands.

Staffordshire County Council has identified the areas as its seven-day Covid-19 infection rate stands at 308.8 cases per 100,000 population. That is below the West Midlands average and hovering around the England average.

The list includes Hamps Valley in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

But Newcastle borough – which has a coronavirus infection rate of 216.3 cases per 100,000 population – continues to have no ‘hotspot’ areas.

Anyone who lives in a ‘hotspot’ is urged to get a Covid-19 test if they have to leave their home.

The ‘hotspot’ areas are:

Cannock Chase – Cannock East, Cannock North, Cannock South, Hednesford Green Heath, Hednesford South, Norton Canes, Rawnsley.

East Staffordshire – Branston, Burton, Eton Park, Horninglow, Stapenhill.

Lichfield – Boney Hay and Central, Chase Terrace, Chasetown, Curborough, Shenstone, Whittington and Streethay.

South Staffordshire – Bilbrook, Cheslyn Hay North and Saredon, Cheslyn Hay South, Codsall North, Great Wyrley Town, Himley and Swindon, Huntington and Hatherton, Kinver, Penkridge North East and Acton

Trussell, Perton Dippons, Perton Lakeside, Trysull and Seisdon, Wombourne South West.

Stafford borough – Holmcroft, Rowley, Seighford and Church Eaton.

Staffordshire Moorlands – Hamps Valley.

Tamworth – Amington, Bolehall, Glascote, Mercian, Wilnecote.

Dr Johnny Mcmahon, cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said: “It is important that everyone stays at home wherever possible and that no mixing with other households takes place.

“For people who are legally entitled to form a support or childcare bubble, we are strongly encouraging them to get tested regularly.

“We know that one-in-three people do not display any symptoms, and that the new strain of coronavirus spreads far quicker.

“The best way to protect your bubble and break the chain of virus transmission is to follow the rules and get tested on a regular basis.

“Tests are simple, free, and you get your results in around 30 minutes.”