AFTER a week in which the number of Covid-19 infections in Shropshire went up there has been a fall.

In the last week for which figures are available 50 new cases were reported which was a 7.4 per cent fall.

It is believed that the increase the previous week was linked to an outbreak at a factory in Bala that had resulted in a number of cases in the north of the county. Infection levels at 15.5 per 100,000 remain less than in the West Midlands where it is 22.1 and England that had 24 cases per 100,000.

The average age of Covid-19 cases in Shropshire was 35. This is a group in which those that do not have a health condition putting them at risk have still to be offered a first vaccination. Nearly half of the cases in the county, 43 per cent, were in the Shrewsbury and Atcham area.

“I know everyone is looking forward to May 17 when the restrictions are expected to ease further in Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap; but I urge everyone in Shropshire to remain cautious and follow the guidance,” said Rachel Robinson, the county’s director of public health.