SHROPSHIRE is seeing an increasing number of Covid-19 outbreaks in schools, the county's director of public health has revealed.

Rachel Robinson said cases are still climbing, particularly among the under-20s.

She urged anyone with symptoms to get a PCR test.

Her warning comes as new figures for between September 24 and 30 revealed a seven per cent rise in cases with 1,596 new cases reported.

This puts the seven-day infection rate for Shropshire at 490.5 per 100,000, far above the rate for the West Midlands (402.3) and England as a whole (334.1).

Meanwhile, there are 31 hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients, with one Covid-19 related death at a local hospital.

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: “Cases are still climbing, particularly among the under-20s, and we are dealing with increasing number of outbreaks in schools.

“We want to keep children and staff in education safely, so if students, parents or carers have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if it’s only mild, please get a PCR test to be sure. We also encourage pupils over the age of 11 to use a Lateral Flow Test twice a week if they do not have any symptoms. This is important because up to one in three people with the virus don’t show symptoms but could potentially pass it to someone more vulnerable.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to help bring down the infection rates, so I am asking everyone not to return to their pre-pandemic behaviours. Hands-face-space-fresh air and regular testing is still as important as it was 12 months ago.”

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, added: “It is encouraging to see the rise in new infections finally slowing down, and hopefully we will turn a corner in the near future.

“In the meantime, please ensure you are protecting yourself by getting the Covid-19 vaccine, or the booster jab if you are eligible. Also, keep an eye out for invitations for the flu vaccine this autumn.

“I’d like to thank each and every person I see out in Shropshire who is wearing a face covering, keeping their distance and are following other measures which we know will help to minimise the spread of the virus. The number of people in hospital and dying from the virus in Shropshire is starting to decrease, so let us do all we can to keep our communities safe.”