A 'frightening' level of Covid-19 cases among Slough's 17 to 21-year-olds has led the council's lead member for health to appeal to parents for help.

Covid cases in that age group topped 447 per 100,000 of the population yesterday.

Across the town – taking all ages into account – cases continue to rise and there are 294.9 cases per 100,000 people. Most worrying in the 60+ age group there are 186.2 cases per 100,000 of the population.

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Councillor Natasa Pantelic, lead member of health and wellbeing, said: “We all know and remember that invincible feeling of being in our late teens and early 20s - the world at our feet, finding our freedom, bending the rules and putting fun top of the list of priorities.

“The last thing we want to be is the fun police but the number of cases among 17-21 year olds in Slough is now extremely high and quite frightening.

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“Most young people may only suffer mild symptoms, but those who do not take it seriously are fuelling the rise in cases across Slough.

“In order to avoid more hospitalisations and potentially more deaths, everyone must wash their hands, cover their face, keep their distance and isolate when necessary.

“This isn’t about blaming this age group at all – cases are high across the town and in all age groups – but the recent rise in cases in 17 to 21 year olds is significant.

"We are calling on parents to talk to their young adults about being covid safe, about staying safe when out and about and when they come home – whether at college, hanging out with mates or just going for a coffee – and about keeping their families safe.

“Not one of us can beat Covid alone. It needs all of us to play our part. So please help Slough fight Covid.”