Households mixing and a new strain of coronavirus has led to a steep rise in cases across Staffordshire, county council bosses have said.
The current infection rate for the county stands at 365 per 100,000 people, with several areas across Lichfield district being classified as hotspots.
While the rate remains lower than the Midlands and England’s rate, Cllr Johnny McMahon, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said some parts of the county were now facing infection rates above 1,000.
“It looks like the new fast-spreading coronavirus strain has arrived in the county.
“This along with a bit of extra mixing between households over the holidays has led to a steep rise in cases.
“Now, more than ever, it’s vital we do all we can to stop the spread of infection.
“One of the most important things we are asking people to do, alongside the basics of hands, face and space is, if they live in a hotspot area, please take time to book a test – even if you feel well and have no symptoms.
“You should get a result in under one hour.”
Cllr Johnny McMahon, Staffordshire County Council
Cllr McMahon said the need for people take tests in these areas was necessary in order to help prevent COVID-19 spreading further.
“We must remember one in three people do not show any symptoms – so getting tested can protect those nearest and dearest to you and help stop the spread.”
Cllr Johnny McMahon, Staffordshire County Council
I know the Cllr means we’ll, but this is now, frankly, ridiculous.
Of course Christmas mixing will affect figures adversely but it was allowed & encouraged. That will only just be starting to show in the figures.
Please, all Cllrs, stop parroting the govt line over and over…everyone knows the govt is behind the curve and dithering.
Schools should be closed and the vaccine roll out should be speeded up. A 90 year old relative has yet to hear about his…disgraceful.
If it wasn’t so serious it would be laughable. Is this really leadership?Is it not politics over life? All this was so so predictable only weeks ago. How could we ever trust this government again?
I was asked this question earlier by a relative and don’t think I’ve ever heard an answer but, the new strain is more infectious, so it’s spreading faster.
Can anyone tell me what that practically means? Ie. do you need to be further away from others than the 2 metres, spend less time around them say 5 instead of 10 minutes?
If anyone knows, please post the answer as I don’t know what to reply to my relative. Thanks!
@Kitty – I was wondering about this too. My husband (not a scientist or medic, I should add) understands it as follows. Distance is probably less of an issue than time – we haven’t been told that the new variant can travel further on the air, but people apparently breathe out larger amounts of the virus and it’s more infectious, so spending time in proximity will be riskier in a shorter period of time.
I hope that makes some sense, and I apologise if it is not correct. Perhaps I have cross-posted with someone who knows more about these things?
Thank you @Lichvegas, that makes sense to me.
It suggests the new strain is ‘more concentrated’ (I’m not a scientist either) and so individuals can shed more in the same amount of time.
I do wish this sort of question were asked at briefings, it would be really helpful. My relative’s got a boiler check next week, so they can open the door and windows for them and speak through the living room door only! They’ll be able to keep the appt based on this.
Hi Kitty,
If following the existing hands face space advice correctly, it should still significantly lower the risk of catching any variant. (The case rate is most likely increasing quickly because the more infectious variant is able to ‘take advantage’ when the rules are relaxed.)
Having said that, I think Lichvegas is pretty much spot on with that advice about the importance of duration, so if you can reduce that in the (socially distanced) vicinity of others, you will likely be further reducing risk.
@Kitty, thanks glad it made sense! Your relative needs to be adamant about face coverings too – might sound obvious, but I have had some issues with plumbers ‘forgetting’, or ‘not having one with them’ (here you go, have one of mine, you’re welcome!) Some are brilliant, but unfortunately there can be a macho element amongst tradesmen and we British still tend to default to being polite, not wanting to cause a fuss, etc.
Well, Kitty, if your relative’s appointment is with British Gas they’ll be lucky to see anyone, as all engineers have just started a five day strike! We have just had our appointment for an urgent check on a faulty boiler cancelled at an hour’s notice.
Whilst generally on the side of labour against the big battalions, I can’t help feeling that the timing of this strike on the coldest week of the year in the midst of a pandemic is a bit of an own goal by the GMB.
Can’t even go to the pub to keep warm!
Interestingly speaking English expels more of the virus than all other languages. This is due to how your mouth forms the sounds required. It is something that had been noted before with previous respiratory outbreaks.
But basically, the more time you spend with people, the closer you are to them, and the less air flow the riskier it is.