Cases in county pass 50,000

MORE than 50,000 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed in parts of Staffordshire other than Stoke-on-trent since the start of the pandemic.

Latest figures show there have now been 51,132 positives tests recorded by Staffordshire County Council during the covid pandemic.

The landmark was reached this week. But with one in three people who catch the virus being asymptomatic, there will be thousands more cases that have gone undetected.

Of those positive cases, a total of 2,012 people have died in Staffordshire – including 302 in Newcastle Borough, 242 in the Staffordshire Moorlands and 305 in Stafford borough. The infection rate for Staffordshire currently stands at 269.3 per 100,000 residents in the seven days to January 30 – just above the national average of 257.6.

Dr Richard Harling – the county council’s health boss – is continuing to urge residents who can’t work at home or are in bubbles with other households to get tested to help stop the spread, even if they don’t have symptoms.

He said: “For people who need to leave the home and be out and about we continue to strongly urge the need to get tested regularly. Testing is quick, simple, free, seven days a week and now available early mornings and into the evening. Being able to provide this level of flexible access for residents is important, as we know getting tested regularly as part of a weekly routine is one of the best ways to break the chain of transmission and control the virus.”

Dr Johnny Mcmahon, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, added: “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 to get tested on a regular basis.

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

To book your test go to https://staffordshire. zipporah.co.uk/ Trackandtrace/