SHROPSHIRE Council has confirmed it is working with Public Health England to minimalise the spread of Covid-19 in a Whitchurch care home.

Nineteen people at the as-of-yet unnamed care home are reported to have tested positive for coronavirus after tests were provided, including for staff.

Council officers say the care home has followed the advice out and guidelines set out by government, with measures quickly put in place for all necessary health and safety measures to help prevent further transmission of the virus.

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire’s director of public health, said an outbreak of this size in a care home is not unexpected but staff across the county have been asked to limit non-essential visits.

“Local outbreaks in care home settings are not unexpected during a pandemic and we have seen cases across the county," said Ms Robinson.

"Our priority is to stop the spread of infection and protect the health and wellbeing of all residents in our community.

“I would like to reassure Shropshire residents that the risk to the wider community is very low.

"We have recently asked all care homes in Shropshire to suspend all non-essential visits, apart from exceptional circumstances such as end of life care.

“Shropshire Council, along with Public Health England, have responded quickly to the outbreak and we continue to support all those that have been affected.

“We are asking everyone in Shropshire to do their bit to help stop the spread of the virus.”

Residents who have received a positive test are being supported to help them self-isolate for a period of 10 days.