Residents reminded not to be complacent as COVID cases rise

A small rise in COVID-19 cases has prompted Slough Borough Council to urge parents not to be ‘complacent’ as lockdown eases, reports James Bagley, Local Democracy Reporter.

Last week, all students started back at school – but now the council is asking parents to continue to play their part in keeping the town’s children and schools safe by continuing to follow the guidance.

The current COVID rate per 100,000 of the population is

98.3 whereas last week it was

80.2.

Councillor Natasa Pantelic, lead member for health and wellbeing, said since schools reopened, the borough has seen a small increase in numbers and has urged parents not to send their children to school if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

She said: “It’s great to see all children going back to school full time, happy to see their friends and learning together. I know it’s a big relief for parents as home schooling has been very challenging for many families.

“But we still need to do all we can to make sure the lockdown easing doesn’t roll back all the progress we’ve made as a town.

“COVID is still out there; it’s still circulating in our community and causing people to become quite poorly.

“So, it’s really important children don’t go into school if they have any coronavirus symptoms, follow the guidelines the schools have laid out and young people and their parents play their part by not hanging around in groups at drop off and pick up, keeping their distance from others and not meeting in each other’s houses.”

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Windsor and Maidenhead decreased over the last week.

From Wednesday, March 10 to Tuesday, March 16, 62 people tested positive for coronavirus, 16 fewer than in the previous seven days.

In the last seven days, Frimley Health hospitals have seen an increase in the number of patients admitted with COVID-19, up from 40 to 58.

The infection rate in Windsor and Maidenhead is 76.3 per 100,000 population.

Slough’s e-scooter trial has expanded to cover Langley, Britwell and Wexham. More than 10,000 riders have signed up to the scheme.