STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE Communications Office, 4th Floor, Staffordshire Place, Stafford, ST16 2LP Tel: 01785 895050 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.staffordshire.gov.uk Community Testing Stepped up in Covid Hotspots People living in Covid community hotspots across are being urged to make time to get tested – even if they have no symptoms. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the number of Covid cases in the county has increased for the second week in a row. The whole of Newcastle borough and all Burton upon Trent wards are now classed as hotspots. The average seven-day Covid rate in Staffordshire is currently 225.9 per 100,000 population, higher than the West Midlands rate of 214.1, but lower than the England rate of 282.2. Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said: “Cases are continuing to rise in Staffordshire. This comes as many parts of England have been placed into tougher Tier Four restrictions, largely due to the risk posed by a new fast-spreading coronavirus variant. “These latest developments should come as a stark reminder on how dangerous this virus is, and that complacency cannot be allowed to creep over the festive period. “Plans will have to be modified for many of but it is important that we all think carefully about mixing with other households, remember and stick to the basic rules and get tested if living in a hotspot.” The council is also asking people who have returned from London and the South East to get tested. even if they don’t have symptoms. The Covid-19 Hotspot Areas w/c 21 December are as below. These will remain in place for two weeks. District / Community testing Hotspots Dates borough venue Avon Business and Leisure Centre Cannock Cannock Town Avon Road December 30 and 31 Chase Cannock WS11 1LH St Luke’s Church Centre Church Street January 6 and 7 Cannock WS11 1DE Pirelli Stadium, Pirelli Stadium Princess December 23, 24, 30 Way, Princess Way, and 31 Burton upon Trent, January 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Burton-on-Trent 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Burton (all town DE13 0AR East wards), Winshill Staffordshire Needwood and Neighbourhood Rolleston Resource Centre, December 29 Canterbury Road, January 2 Winshill, Burton Upon Trent, DE15 0HD Lichfield None - - Bradwell Lodge Community Centre, December 23, 24, Bradwell Lane, Porthill, 29,30 and 31 Newcastle Whole borough Newcastle-under- January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Lyme, ST5 8PS 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 South None - - Staffordshire Kingston Centre Fairway December 23 and 24 Stafford Coton Stafford January 4, 5 and 12 ST16 3TW Werrington Village Hall December 29 Staffordshire Werrington and Ash Bank Road January 2, 3, 8, 9 Moorlands Cellarhead Stoke-on-Trent and 10 ST2 9EE Tamworth None - - People in 'hotspot' areas should book a rapid covid test at one of our community sites. Details of sessions this week and how to book can be found here. If there are no community sessions planned people should book a test via the national portal https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test and choose “my local council has asked me to book a test”. This is even if you feel well and don’t have any symptoms. If you display any symptoms, including precautionary ones (which can all be found here) book as per normal on the national portal. .