Dear Blogger
Message from Shropshire Council
50 and over? Book your vaccination
  Helping to keep you informed of the latest coronavirus news in Shropshire. |
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| It's now one year since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Shropshire - and life has changed beyond recognition. We've seen the impact on our health, work and businesses, and restrictions to our daily lives in ways we could never have imagine, as hundreds of lives lost to the pandemic in Shropshire. It's affected us all in different ways - here's a look back at a challenging year.  Living with Coronavirus - one year on infographic  Living with Coronavirus - one year on infographic Thank you Shropshire – let's keep on doing the right things. The county's cases this week continue to go in the right direction. 107 new cases were reported in the 7-day period from 5 March – 11 March, 34% down on the previous week.  Coronavirus update 5 to 11 March 2021  By the time you read this, nearly 250,000 vaccines will have been given across the county. If you're aged 50 and over, you can now book your jab against COVID-19 via the National Booking Service online. The NHS is also sending texts to some people to invite them to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. These may come from a local NHS service, or from 'NHSvaccine'. Remember, the NHS will never ask for payment details. Vaccinations are currently available if: - You are aged 50 or over
- You are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
- You are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
- You have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
- You have a learning disability
- You are an unpaid carer
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| It's understandable that some of us may be feeling anxious about getting our jab. Gillian, a nurse and vaccinator at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Vaccination Centre, is here to try and put your mind at ease.  Gillian at RJAH helps to put the minds of those concerned about the vaccine, at rest  | |
| Residents who have their COVID-19 vaccination booked at either the Shrewsbury Indoor Bowls Centre or the neighbouring Severn Fields Medical Practice, will continue to have free Arriva shuttle bus service available to them. With more cars using Sundorne Road to get to both sites, passengers who use the free shuttle buses will be helping to ease congestion, both on surrounding roads and in the car park. Over the past few weeks, we have been working with Riverside Medical Practice, The Shrewsbury Ark, and Shropshire Recovery Partnership to ensure homeless people have access to vaccinations. To date, 77 people have received a vaccine as part of the rollout. People like Paul, who we have been supporting throughout the pandemic. We spoke to Paul about how it felt to be vaccinated.  People receiving their vaccinations at The Prince Rupert Hotel in Shrewsbury  A new symptom-free COVID-19 testing centre will open its doors in Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, on Tuesday 23 March. The new rapid Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) testing centre will be open from 8am to 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for anyone who does not have COVID-19 symptoms. The rapid tests help identify some asymptomatic infections, with results usually available within 30 minutes. Rapid LFT home testing kits will also be available for you to collect from Theatre Severn on the above days. We are also encouraging anyone who collects a home testing kit to complete a test on site to gain an understanding of what you need to do. | |
| A number of pharmacies across Shropshire now also offering people rapid Lateral Flow Tests. These are now available in 6 towns and villages across the county.  More pharmacies are now offering rapid Lateral Flow Tests. Click on the link below to make an appointment at your local pharmacy.   Where to collect your home testing kits With the vaccination programme continuing at pace, Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council's director of public health, is calling on everyone living and or working in the county to continue to adhere to Lockdown restrictions. Please continue routine testing even if you have had your vaccine, in order to keep yourself and others safe from virus.  | |
| 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. | |
