UPDATE FROM YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR

With the news that Birmingham and Solihull are facing stricter rules ahead of a widespread ban on gatherings of more than six people, Stratford on Avon District is also witnessing a double digit increase in the number of new cases over the last seven days, which given the regional trends is not unexpected but still a concern ☹.  Everyone has to be extra vigilant and continue to practise social distancing and put a stop to infection spreading by wearing a mask if at all possible.
 
Public Health Warwickshire is working round the clock to continue monitoring the situation and the Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) is being moved around the county in response to greatest need.
 
COVID-19 Update 
The cumulative cases across the county as of yesterday are now 2867 up from 2771 (an increase of 96) with confirmed cases in Stratford on Avon District increasing by 20 to 578 since last week with evidence that the increase in cases is continuing to come from the community (Pillar 2) rather than Pillar 1 (hospitals and NHS settings). 
 
Out of the 423 SWFT Hospital Beds there remains one inpatient confirmed case of COVID-19 at present and NO patients are in the intensive care unit.  The cumulative deaths across Stratford District remains at 168 with the deaths in care home remaining at 82 from a cumulative of 1089 ‘all cause deaths’ in the district. The cumulative total of all COVID-19 deaths in Warwickshire is up by one to 599 and over the same period there have been 3679 non COVID-19 related deaths in Warwickshire.  Across the county there has been a total of 212 COVID-19 deaths in care homes settings (no increase in the last week) compared to 1236 ‘all cause deaths’ in care homes over the same period.   
 
There are 50% of SWFT hospital beds occupied by Non-COVID-19 patients, 15% beds occupied with suspected COVID-19 patients and a spare capacity of 34% beds.
 
Testing for Covid-19 has increased over the last few weeks as Warwickshire residents continue to do the right thing by getting themselves tested when they show symptoms.  Read more: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/1230/got-symptoms-get-tested-
 
If you are exempt from wearing a face covering, you can download a card to display or image for your phone.
You can use these to show in shops and other enclosed spaces where masks are mandatory https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/information-coronavirus/face-covering-exemptions/1
Have a good weekend and will be in touch again in a week’s time.
 
Kind regards
 Anne
 Anne Parry
County Councillor for Wellesbourne Division
SDC Ward Member for Wellesbourne East
SDC Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services