Updates from Friday 9 September 2016
BBC Shropshire
RAF Cosford is being considered as a site for a temporary mortuary to support bereavement services.
One of the hangars could be used if services become overwhelmed.
Image source, GoogleFrom the Shropshire Star:
If you fancy a walk, you're probably looking for quiet places to go, away from crowds.
If you live in the Telford area, the Wellington Walkers are Welcome group is suggesting you take a look at its website, external, which has a number of walking routes to download.
We've seen all sorts of photos from the BBC Weather Watchers this morning, as they get outdoors for their daily exercise.
Here's a selection from Shropshire and Herefordshire.
Image source, Monomark
Image source, Sunshine Seeker
Image source, Ken MBBC Shropshire
The Severn Hospice in Shropshire says it's losing more than £100,000 a week due to the coronavirus outbreak, because it's had to close shops and cancel fundraising events.
It has been looking at ways of cutting costs and stretching resources so that essential services remain protected, but it says it won't be enough to make up for lost income.
Image source, GoogleThe hospice, which has bases in Shrewsbury and Telford, has approached shop landlords to waive rent, and is looking for government support while diverting reserves.
A drive-through coronavirus assesment centre is being set up in the Shrewsbury Town FC car park.
It will be for patients with symptoms who have been referred for a face-to-face conversation, but coronavirus tests will not take place there.
It will operate Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 19:00, excluding bank holidays and Telford will be the next town in the county to get one.
Julian Povey, the chair of NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said they were to shield GP practices from people with the virus.
A school in Shropshire has paid tribute to one of its former pupils who has died from coronavirus.
Retired doctor, Alfa Saadu, spent more than 40 years in the NHS - holding several senior posts in London.
He attended Adams Grammar School in Newport in the late 1960s and early 70s and the school said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of his death.
The first food parcels for vulnerable people have been delivered this week.
Telford and Wrekin Council said it had supplemented them with items such as tea, coffee, jam, tinned food, butter and eggs and is taking them to 66 residents in the borough.
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilAll the recipients were identified through the government’s Shielding Communities initiative.
But the council said people in Telford who are self-isolating and who have no-one to support them should register online, external or phone 01952 382030.
Reports of young people gathering, despite the lockdown, are being investigated by police in Shropshire.
This morning, ground staff at the Oldbury Wells School extinguished the remains of a small fire that was left unattended and a group of people were seen leaving the wooded area last night.
Image source, West Mercia Police
Image source, West Mercia PolicePolice in Shrewsbury have also appealed to young people to remain at home and the force said it would be patrolling known meeting places and "anyone found will be dealt with".
An emergency appeal by the Seven Valley Railway to help it survive the coronavirus outbreak has raised more than £100,000 in just two weeks.
The heritage railway has completely closed because of the pandemic and it's trying to raise £250,000 to make up for the loss of income.
The closure comes shortly after part of the line, which runs between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, had to be closed for repairs following the severe floods earlier this year.
BBC Shropshire
A children's hospice needs to secure more personal protective equipment.
Hope House, external, based in Oswestry, said guidance means both parents and nurses need to wear gowns and masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Vanessa Thomas, from the hospice, said: “It is particularly important so parents can spend time with children in their final moments.
“To know a lack of personal protective equipment could actually mean you are saying goodbye to your child through a video screen or through a phone instead of in person is something we can’t bear thinking about.”
Image source, GoogleIt has asked for anyone who has a 3D printer to help in making the masks, and any businesses, like beauticians or tattoo parlous, which may have plastic aprons it can spare, to come forward.
BBC Shropshire
Every day, BBC local radio stations are sharing the ways communities are coming together to help each other during the coronavirus pandemic.
In Shropshire, this includes
Image source, Getty ImagesWe told you there'd be cloudy skies today and that's what our local BBC Weather Watchers have been snapping.
These are from users Stormchaser Al in Halesowen, Z70 in Ranton, Staffordshire and Shropshire_Lad in Clee Hill, Shropshire:
Image source, Stormchaser Al
Image source, Z70
Image source, Shropshire_LadFollowing the success of the applause for NHS staff last week, people in Telford are being encouraged to do something similar tomorrow night.
At 20:00 Telford and Wrekin Council is suggesting everyone breaks out into song, in support of healthcare workers and other people in key jobs.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe song they've chosen is You'll Never Walk Alone and the council says that if people don't want to sing, they can play the song, play a musical instrument, clap, shout or dance and added "we honestly do not mind, just take part".
Ludlow's Mayfair has been called off, because of the expectation that gatherings of people will still be forbidden then.
The event can trace its history back to 1461 and the mayor of Ludlow, Tim Gill, said it will "be deeply missed by the local community".
Ludlow Town Council said the fair will return "when the current crisis has passed."
It was due to take place between 30 April and 4 May.
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News
Restaurant staff across the country, whose workplaces been forced to shut up shop by coronavirus, have been telling the BBC how they're volunteering to feed NHS workers.
Kelly Iles
They include Kelly Iles, from The Barn Kitchen in Coventry, who has delivered more than 3,500 meals to staff at two hospitals in Warwickshire.
She said she had never been more proud of anything she had done: "You see how grateful these nurses are."
While Jess Mooney, who runs Bread For Life school in Leamington Spa, has delivered freshly baked goods including bagels and doughnuts to NHS staff working at Warwick Hospital.
Image source, Francesca PriceSome of the curries delivered to the Princess Royal Hospital
There's also Indian restaurant East End Balti, in Shifnal, Shropshire, which has taken dozens of curries to night staff at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Read more about their efforts here on the BBC website.
Chefs whose businesses have shut have been volunteering to feed NHS staff working around the clock.
Read MoreHere are three stories from the Shropshire Star today:
With people forced to spend more time at home, it seems many are spending their time tidying up their garden.
Telford and Wrekin said last week it collected 70 tonnes of garden waste, compared to just 20 the week before.
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilCatherine Beanland had worn her own protective clothing to Ludlow Community Hospital.
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