Coronavirus test

People in Lichfield and Burntwood are being reminded to keep on getting checked for coronavirus after the number of community testing appointments in Staffordshire passed the 100,000 mark.

The programme has been designed to identify people who do not have symptoms but may be carrying Covid-19.

So far, community testing across the county has identified 1,000 asymptomatic residents who were infected but did not know.

Cllr Johnny McMahon, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said:

“We know that one in three people who have the virus show no symptoms so regular testing is key to continuing to prevent the spread of infection.

“While the roll out of the vaccine has brought much hope and optimism it will be several months before all adults are vaccinated and the full benefits are known.

“That’s why regular testing must go hand in hand with the vaccination programme if we are to make the easing of lockdown work and continue to protect the most at risk, keep our schools open and see all our employers back open for business.

“So a huge thank you to all those who have been tested and a plea to everyone who is out and about to make testing part of their regular routine.”

Johnny McMahon, Staffordshire County Council

Full details of testing options are available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.

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Barry Scott
3 years ago

My very real concern is complacency yet again. I believe there is very real cause for optimism and hope and the vaccination programme has been a great success to date.

But the important messages that the virus is still with us, that people still need to take as many precautions and common sense decisons as possible are either simply not being said or getting lost in the self-congratulations on the vaccine programme. 2021 is still going to be a year of restrictions and acting safety, but above all acting with personal responsibility. My concern is that the signs are people think they have been given the go-ahead to relax, not to be worried any longer and that we will have “normal” times returning in the summer.

We will not. The company I work for is planning ahead for restrictions and limitations still being imposed for the rest of this year and into 2022. That is not being defeatist, it is being realistic.

There is a new wave of infections across Europe, a result of lots of factors including the issues regarding vaccines in other countries. That is reason to be worried as it will have an impact on us too. We are not “out of the woods”. We are still far from enjoying the world of “normal”. But as much as the local leadership is trying to get the message out, I fear their important messages are being lost in the noise.

Philip
3 years ago

Barry…. There are so many different dimensions to the problem that a definitive conclusion is probably not possible. How do you weigh the odds of getting the virus and the even longer odds against serious illness against the certainty of loseing your livelihood? The pragmatism of your analysis (and your boss) is good and much like my opinions, but as we have seen with other national issues, there is much diversity of opinions. The virus is like a bar of wet soap… You can never be sure (even with vaccines) that you have it under control. Even after a full year there is still much doubt. We started out with wartime spirit. We are continuing with raw politics. Good luck to us all I think!

Megan
3 years ago

Do we really want to get back to ‘normal’. I would urge not to be defeatist. We are going through a process of regeneration and renewal. It’s difficult yes. It always is. We are travelling through the birth canal. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Believe.