South African variant vanishes amid testing
No further cases of the South African Covid-19 variant have been found in mass testing, but residents are still being warned to follow the rules.
Testing was ramped up in Stafford by leaders after one case of the more transmittable variant was found in the area in early January.
No cases have been found – meaning it hasn't spread – after more than 13,000 were tested, with the testing drive set to end on Friday.
It comes after cases of the variant were previously been found in two areas of Walsall which prompted mass testing.
Leaders in Staffordshire said a "benefit" of the testing push meant they were able to identify more cases of Covid-19 and drive down cases rates which have now halved in Cannock and Stafford, at 66 per 100,000 in Cannock and 40 per 100,000 in Stafford.
Dr Richard Harling, director for health and care at Staffordshire County Council, said: "The response we have had to testing in Stafford has been fantastic, and I want to thank every resident of the borough who has responded to our call to get tested over the last three weeks.
"Now we want people to keep it up: getting tested regularly is a great way to control the spread of infection.
"Regular testing and vaccination, is the way out of this pandemic. It remains very important for people who need to be out and about to get tested regularly so that we can identify those who are infected and stop the virus in its tracks."
"With testing sites across the whole county, not just in Stafford borough, getting a test in Staffordshire has never been more convenient. Please, book your test today."
Meanwhile in Walsall the current rate in the borough is 87.9 per 100,000 population which has fallen from the rate of 135.9 per 100,000 recorded by February 26.
Despite the fall in cases and the continued roll-out of the vaccination, they are keen to urge people not to stop following the regulations.
Councillor Stephen Craddock, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “The sun’s out, a lot of people have had the vaccination, they’re feeling better about life.
“Spring is here but we must not forget the basic rules that still apply. We’re not supposed to be household mixing, it’s hands, face and space – that is still very applicable.
Legacy
“The virus is still out there, you can get it and you could pass it on even if you’ve had the vaccination and we just need to keep our foot on the gas and hold steady.
“We will wait and see what happens with the schools this week and I think this three week gap they’ve left is to release some of the restrictions and see what effect it has in terms of case numbers.”
Walsall director of public health Stephen Gunther added: “The more we stick to it now, the better position we will be long term.
“We will go back into a control strategy rather than in a management strategy, which we were a few weeks back because of the volume of cases.
“We will be dealing with Covid for a long time but we will be dealing with it in a smaller way.
“If we continue to wash our hands more, cover our faces, give other people space, not go into work if we’re unwell and have a supportive environment, wider respiratory diseases will hopefully reduce as well.
“Seasonal flu, norovirus and other airborne stuff – a lot of those other infections have dropped. If that’s a legacy, let’s hope it continues because that has an impact across health care.
“We’ve only vaccinated just over a third of the population. We need to stick with the restrictions and the basics.”