Staffordshire County Council has today said that good progress continues to be made on containing a Covid-19 outbreak linked to the Crown and Anchor Pub on the weekend of July 17.
The council says that through swift action they have been able to map the spread of the virus and importantly quickly trace the close contacts of those who tested positive after visiting the pub.
There have now been 22 confirmed cases in total, a rise of 3 cases from the previously reported figures yesterday. Fifteen of these are Staffordshire residents and seven are from Stoke-on-Trent. Their 60+ contacts have been identified and all are self-isolating for 14 days.
Around 1,000 people also stepped forward to be tested with results from the walk-in testing proving negative. Any positive results from the Mobile Testing Unit are expected by the end of this week.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said:
“By acting swiftly to test and trace people connected to the pub that weekend we are hopeful that we have managed to contain this outbreak.
“Numbers of cases have levelled off and are more associated with family contact, rather than transmission through any wider community.
“It will take a few more days to see if there are anymore positive cases of concern and I would like to thank the people and businesses of Stone for their help in what I know has been a difficult couple of weeks for the community.
“The important thing now is that people in Stone and elsewhere in the county continue to follow the guidance and do not let their guard down now.”
Anybody who develops symptoms is reminded that they should stay home for 10 days and book a test immediately, either online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by telephoning 119.
Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, said:
“If there is one lesson that can be taken from this outbreak is that it can happen to anyone and anywhere if people don’t stick to the rules.
“In Staffordshire, we are doing everything in our powers to stop a second peak of infections, but we need residents and businesses to continue to play their part if we are to succeed in keeping communities safe and the county open for business.”
The guidance on going out includes:
- Social distancing – 2 metres ideally
- Limit the number of people you are meeting up with
- Avoid contact with people not in your immediate group
- Don’t attend large social get-togethers
- Make sure any pub or restaurant is collecting your contact details
- Don’t go out if you have any symptoms. You must stay home for 10 days and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119
- If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace after a visit to say you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive – you must stay home for 14 days, even if you feel well
When asked about the Crown & Anchor re-opening a spokesperson for Stafford Borough Council, who handle licensing for the borough, told A Little Bit of Stone:
“The pub has not reopened. We must see a satisfactory risk assessment to know that everything is being done to keep staff and customers safe – and evidence that an effective deep clean of the premises has been carried out. Following that we will need to have discussions with the brewery and to inspect the premises.”
Further information about the outbreak and how people can reduce the risk of spreading the virus is available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/
Stone Town Council have called a special General Purpose meeting for Tuesday 11th August to discuss the outbreak.
1 comment
Terry Molloy
The owner of The Crown and Anchor or the Duty Manager must be held criminaly responsible for this out break. They knew the rules for serving their customers and the policy for social distancing in a pub beer garden but did nothing to stop the large gathering apart from sell more and more alcohol.