Posted on Thursday 18th March 2021
The people of Tamworth are being praised for their efforts and urged to keep up the hard work as 10,000 rapid Covid tests have been taken in the borough.
Community testing in Tamworth has identified nearly 150 people who had the virus but no symptoms since it began back towards the end of 2020.
This is nearly 150 people who could have unknowingly spread the deadly virus to their families and around the wider community. This has prevented hundreds more cases.
The effort to reach such a milestone is being praised by both Tamworth Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council as is the recent push to stop an increase in positive Covid cases.
Last month, Tamworth’s Covid rates were creeping up and the councils worked with partners, local businesses and the community to drive rates down.
Over recent weeks the number of cases of Covid in the borough has been steadily falling but remains high. The latest rate is 84 new cases per 100,000 population, which is above the Staffordshire and England averages.
Locals are being thanked, but also reminded that further hard work lies ahead and to keep doing their bit - following the rules and getting a test if they must leave their home.
Jeremy Oates, Tamworth Borough Council Leader said:
“I want to say a huge thank you to the people of Tamworth in reaching this milestone and for their recent efforts in helping push Covid case rates in the right direction.
“The number of Tamworth people without symptoms who have testing positive underlines the importance of rapid testing and we thank these people for coming forward. These are people who might otherwise have spread the virus across other parts of our community.
“Although the latest figures are cause for optimism, we must not rest on our laurels and people should remain vigilant, follow the rules and continue to get tested regularly if you need to leave the house.”
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, added:
“We know that 1 in 3 people show no symptoms. Regular asymptomatic testing is vital to stop the spread of the virus so we can reopen more businesses, keep our schools open and return to the social activities we have all missed.
“I commend the people of Tamworth for their efforts so far and urge them to keep up the hard work and keep getting tested.
“Alongside following the rules of hands, face, space and taking up the vaccination when offered, regular testing is the best way Tamworth can get cases down further and navigate a safe route out of lockdown.”
For more information on how people can continue tackling Covid in Tamworth please visit: Tackling COVID in Tamworth - Staffordshire County Council.