Come on Staffordshire...let's do it for what matters

Everyone has a reason to want to see the back of the Coronavirus pandemic.

You may want to cuddle your grandchildren, get a business up and running again or simply get back into the gym.

We’re all different, but we can all do some simple things to stop the virus in its tracks.

We know that changing guidance can be confusing, but three things won't change:

1. Hands – keep them clean. COVID virus can stay active on surfaces for up to 24 hours. You could pick up or pass on the virus by touching a contaminated surface. Washing your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer kills the virus.

2. Face – wearing a face covering over your mouth and nose can help protect other people from droplets containing the virus. If you have the virus you’re less likely to pass it on.

3. Space – spreading the virus is much less likely to happen if you stay more than two metres apart from someone who has it.

Infections are falling in Staffordshire thanks to your efforts during the national restrictions, but we've still got more cases per 100,000 people than the West Midlands and England.

With national restrictions coming to an end on 2 December, we need to do everything we can to stop the spread and get back to what matters most.

Find out more

Rapid testing roll out begins

When you’ve got coronavirus, you can infect people for two days before you show any symptoms - and that’s if you get symptoms at all. Many people don’t.

That’s why testing for people with and without symptoms is so important.

The first of the new rapid Covid-19 tests were rolled out in the Staffordshire Moorlands today as part of a pilot.

The new tests, which can provide results in less than an hour, will help to quickly identify people who have the virus but may have no symptoms, and isolate any further cases. 

We’re busy recruiting people to help deliver more of these tests, which will eventually see up to 80,000 people in the county tested every single week.

Over the next two weeks we will be looking to focus on a number of large businesses, sixth forms and community settings across the county.

Look out for local testing centres in the coming days and weeks.