Latest coronavirus information 29 Jan

Helping to keep you informed of the latest coronavirus news in Shropshire.

County's vaccine rollout gathers pace

More people across Shropshire will now be able to get vaccinated closer to home as more vaccination centres have opened this week.

The target is to vaccinate everyone in the four groups most vulnerable to coronavirus – the over 80s, over 70s, those who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable and health care workers –  by mid-February.

Vaccination centres to open in Ludlow and Shrewsbury in the next week

Two new vaccination centres, in Ludlow and Shrewsbury, will start Covid 19 vaccines in the first week of February. People who are eligible to receive a vaccination will be contacted by the NHS with details of how to book.

GP-led vaccination hubs

In addition to the two new vaccination centres in Ludlow and Shrewsbury, local GP services are also delivering the Covid 19 vaccination from these sites: Bridgnorth Medical Centre - delivered by GPs from the South East Shropshire Primary Care Network (group of local GP practices) Church Stretton Medical Practice i - delivered by GPs from the South West Shropshire Primary Care Network (group of local GP practices) Prees Medical Practice Severn Fields Medical Practice, Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury Picture is one of the first people being vaccinated at Church Stretton Medical Practice on 28 January.

Free transport to help Shropshire residents get vaccinations

Shropshire residents who are without access to transport are now able to get FREE transport to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments. 

All vehicles will have appropriate ventilation, with strict infection control measures in place to ensure they are operated with the highest levels of public health safeguards. 

Free parking in some car parks for people receiving vaccinations

Residents driving to get their COVID-19 vaccinations will be able to park for free in some Shropshire Council car parks, in areas where no other suitable alternative parking is available. Free parking will initially be available in a number of designated spaces at Smithfield Road car park, Bridgnorth, and at Easthope Road 3 car park, Church Stretton – on the days and times when coronavirus vaccinations are taking place at the nearby GP-led vaccination hubs.

All Shropshire care homes on course to receive the vaccine

All eligible residents in Shropshire care homes are set to receive their first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine by the end January. Currently 97% of care home residents have been vaccinated, one of the highest rates in the West Midlands region.

Your questions on vaccinations

We know many people have been asking many questions about the roll out of the Covid 19 vaccination across Shropshire. To help respond to some of your questions, we’ve compiled a list of FAQ’s on our vaccination webpage.

Latest figures a glimmer of hope, but still a long way to go

While the latest Shropshire figures for Shropshire show a slow decline in cases, there’s good news on the horizon with imminent opening of vaccination centres across the county.

Rapid COVID-19 testing sites extend opening hours

Craven Arms rapid testing centre will be open six days a week – meaning more frontline and key workers in the county will now be able to get the speedy COVID-19 test. From Monday 1 February 2021 the testing centre, which is located at Craven Arms Community Centre, Newington Way, will be open from 8am until 8pm on Sundays to Fridays. Shrewsbury’s testing centre located at The Lantern in Harlescott, has expanded its opening hours. This is now open from 8am until 8pm, seven days a week.

£17.5m grants paid to over 2,400 Shropshire businesses in January

Shropshire Council has paid £17.5m to 2,412 businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, since the latest COVID-19 Grant scheme opened on 19 January 2021. The grants cover the lockdown period between 5 January - 12 February 2021.

Further grant scheme opens to support businesses hit by 3rd lockdown

Shropshire Council has launched a new grant scheme to support the county’s businesses which have been affected by the current coronavirus lockdown.

This is a discretionary fund aimed at those who are not eligible to apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG).

Shropshire pub's £1,000 fine for breach of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions

A pub in Shropshire has become the first in the county to be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) by Shropshire Council for breaching COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Warning over COVID-19 vaccination scam email

Shropshire Council is encouraging residents to be aware of the latest COVID-19 scam email. The advice comes after multiple reports from the public who have received a scam email offering them a dose of one of the new vaccines.

Further information, advice and support

For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating or shielding), visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus for information, advice, guidance and support available for residents and businesses in Shropshire no matter what your circumstances.

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Updates from the Government

To see the latest Government updates about COVID-19, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus