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Staffordshire will be subject to tighter level two coronavirus restrictions “ by the end of the week, ” it has been revealed.
The rest of the county will follow Stoke on Trent in stricter Level Two measures as the number of cases continues to rise in all areas of Staffordshire.
Official documents viewed by Burton Live’s sister site, StokeonTrentLive, reveal that the county’s alert level will go from medium (Level 1) to high (Level 2).
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 the Burton and Uttoxeter families will no longer be able to blend in with other homes indoors and will last at least two weeks before being reviewed, Stoke reports on Trent Live.
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, Tuesday, October 27.
Dr Richard Harling, the council’s director of health and care, said: “The virus is spreading in Staffordshire primarily through social contact, so this additional guide on indoor mixing will help reduce the rate of infection.
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“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 soon as possible.”
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.
Council Leader Alan White said, “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.
Find out how many positive cases of coronavirus there have been in your area by entering your zip code here:
“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 come 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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