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Staffordshire will follow Stoke-on-Trent in stricter Tier 2 coronavirus control measures “ by the end of the week. ”
Official documents viewed by StokeonTrentLive reveal that the county’s alert level will go from medium (Level 1) to high (Level 2) as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to increase rapidly.
The news comes just days after the neighboring Ceramics were placed at Level 2, as fears mount that the city could upgrade to Level 3 ‘very high’ alert.
The Staffordshire county council had lobbied the government to stay at Level 1 last week, but the rising infection rate in all areas appears to have prompted a rethink.
The change will mean that families from Newcastle, Leek, Biddulph, Cheadle, Stone, Kidsgrove, Stafford and the rest of the county will no longer be able to mix with other households in the interior.
It will last at least two weeks before being reviewed.
The latest figures from Public Health England show that there have now been 10,768 cases since the start of the pandemic in the county with an additional 424 announced today (Oct 27).
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council Health and Care Director, said: “The virus is spreading in Staffordshire primarily through social contact, so this additional guidance on indoor mixing will help reduce the infection rate.
“If we stick to the Covid High Alert rules, we have the best chance of not only slowing the spread of the infection, but also removing these additional measures as quickly as possible.”
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The seven-day case rate through Saturday (October 24) revealed that Staffordshire’s infection rate was 239 per 100,000 people, above the national average of 213 per 100,000.
South Staffordshire had the highest rate in the county as of Saturday, with 349 cases per 100,000 people, while Cannock Chase and Newcastle Borough had the second and third highest rates – 290 and 263 per 100,000 people, respectively.
Stafford Borough and Staffordshire Moorlands each had a rate of 202 cases per 100,000 people. Stoke on Trent’s rate as of Saturday was 272 cases per 100,000 people.
Council Leader Alan White said today: “Our residents and businesses have gone to great lengths to keep our county safe and open, but despite this, cases continue to increase rapidly and we now face stricter restrictions.
“This year, Staffordshire has shown what it does best: uniting and supporting our communities, but now we must redouble our efforts to avoid further restrictions and protect our county.
“We can, and must rise to this new challenge, but it is up to each and every one of us to abide by the new rules when they go into effect to help keep Staffordshire safe and open for business.”
Seven-day case rate per 100,000 people as of October 24 based on Staffordshire County Council filing.
England: 213
West Midlands: 212
Staffordshire: 239
Stoke on Trent: 272
South Staffordshire: 349
Cannock Chase: 290
Newcastle Borough: 263
East Staffordshire: 209
Stafford Ward: 202
Staffordshire Moorlands: 202
Lichfield Ward: 196
Tamworth District: 189
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