Posted on Friday 7th August 2020
The response to an outbreak involving a pub in Stone has been stepped down.
The COVID-19 incident linked to the Crown and Anchor pub in Stone has been stepped down this evening.
There remain 22 confirmed cases. Fifteen of these are Staffordshire residents and seven are from Stoke-on-Trent. Their 60 plus contacts have been identified and all are self-isolating for 14 days.
Around 1,000 people have been tested in connection with the outbreak and authorities are confident that it is unlikely there will be further confirmed cases who were infected at the Crown and Anchor or by others who were there.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said:
By acting swiftly to test and trace people connected to the pub over the weekend of 17-18 July, we believe that we have been able to contain any further spread of the virus.
While we will continue to monitor the situation, and may still see a small number of cases in family members, we feel that we can step down the incident today.
I would like to thank the people of Stone and all those who came forward to be tested for their cooperation in managing this significant outbreak.”
The county council has been working closely with Stafford Borough Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Public Health England, Staffordshire Police and the NHS to manage the outbreak.
Licensed premises not just in Stone, but across Staffordshire, are being reminded of their obligations to have measures in place to protect both customers and staff.
The Crown and Anchor remains closed this weekend and will not be allowed to reopen until it can be demonstrated that strict measures are in place to ensure good hygiene and social distancing, in line with national guidance.
Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, said:
Containing this outbreak has been a real joint effort at a local level, with our partners, businesses, residents and young people who attended the pub working together to turn this incident around.
While we have stepped down the incident today, the risk remains to everyone in Staffordshire and if this outbreak has taught us anything it is that we can’t afford to become complacent about COVID-19.”
With warm weather this weekend the guidance on going out remains:
- Social distancing – 2 metres ideally
- Limit the number of people you are meeting up with
- Avoid contact with people not in your immediate group
- Don’t attend large social get-togethers
- Make sure any pub or restaurant is collecting your contact details
- Don’t go out if you have any symptoms. You must stay home for 10 days and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119
- If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace after a visit to say you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive – you must stay home for 14 days, even if you feel well.
Further information about the outbreak and how people can reduce the risk of spreading the virus is available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus