MORE THAN 1,000 people in Solihull are getting Covid every week and the rate of infection is now above one, says the borough’s director of public health, Ruth Tennant.
In the week leading up to October 22 Solihull’s rate stood at 483 positive cases per 100,000 people.
The figure peaked in Knowle with a rate of 600 cases per 100,000 people.
The number of cases has been rising across the country including in the West Midlands and the R-rate, the rate the virus grows by has gone above one.
Ms Tennant said when schools went back, cases went up in secondary aged pupils and the borough is now also seeing increased cases in younger adults and over-60s.
She added: “Alongside Covid, other winter viruses are hitting us at a time when GPs and hospital are also getting on top of a backlog of physical and mental health issues from the pandemic.
“Although Covid will not have the same devastating impact as last year – because vaccination is working – we continue to hear devastating stories about what the virus can do to people who are not protected.
“Sickness absence also hits our business and workplaces.”
Throughout the pandemic the Solihull mantra has been to ‘do the right thing’ to keep everyone safe and Ms Tennant is reinforcing that message.
She is calling for residents to get vaccinated and have the booster if they are eligible, wear a face covering on public transport, crowded indoor spaces and in unventilated places, adhere to the Hands Face Space government advice and keep testing at home twice a week.
“Seizing control of what we do, where we go and taking a few simple steps to slow COVID now will give us all the best chance of reducing the risk that we need Plan B,” says Ms Tennant.
More than 84.5 per cent of people in Solihull over 16 have now had their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, 79.5 per cent have received two doses and 20.2 per cent have received the booster.
Some 10.5 per cent of 12-15 year olds have received their first dose.
For more or to book a vaccine appointment visit https://www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/what-you-need-to-know/.
