'Progress made' on Stone pub coronavirus outbreak
Progress is being made on containing a coronavirus outbreak linked to a Staffordshire pub, council bosses have said.
There have now been 22 confirmed cases linked to the Crown & Anchor Pub, in Stone, from people who visited over July 16, 17 and 18.
Staffordshire County Council has said it has been able to map the spread of the virus and quickly trace the close contacts of those who tested positive after visiting the pub.
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 the 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.
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“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.”
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.”
