Posted on Friday 26th February 2021
A rise in coronavirus cases in Tamworth has prompted Staffordshire County Council and Tamworth Borough Council to come together to urge residents to do their bit to tackle Covid.
Despite the national lockdown, Tamworth is currently one of a few places in the country where the number of people testing positive for coronavirus is going up instead of down.
The number of people catching coronavirus in Tamworth has more than halved since the New Year, but since mid-February, infection rates have been going in the wrong direction, especially in working aged people aged 18-49.
178 people tested positive for Covid in Tamworth in the week up to 19 February. That’s 231 people per 100,000 people in the population and is more than the Staffordshire, West Midlands and England average.
Data has also suggested that fewer people are getting tested in Tamworth and 1 in 3 people are catching coronavirus at work.
To tackle the above Staffordshire County Council and Tamworth Borough Council have drawn up an action plan and will be working with partners and businesses to drive rates down in the borough.
Environmental Health Officers will make targeted visits to places where transmission is high and workplaces will be encouraged to offer rapid testing for their employees.
Residents will be urged to stick to the lockdown guidance in place and to get tested regularly.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said:
“Regular testing is an important way to identify cases and reduce the spread of infection.
“It is vital we work together to encourage and support residents and businesses to make sure everybody who cannot stay at home can get tested regularly.
“Getting a test, alongside following the rules of hands, face, space and taking up the vaccination when offered are the best ways Tamworth can get cases right down.”
Jeremy Oates, Tamworth Borough Council Leader added:
“Stay at home if you can, if you have to go out to work get tested regularly.
“Ask your place of work if they could sign up to do their own rapid testing for staff, as the way out of this is in the hands of the people of Tamworth.”
Any businesses who could join the rapid testing programme are asked to contact LFTEnquiries@staffordshire.gov.uk
The Tamworth Campus and Wilnecote semi-permanent community testing sites will move to Ankerside Shopping Centre starting Monday.
For more information on how you can help tackle Covid in Tamworth please visit: Tackling COVID in Tamworth - Staffordshire County Council