SOLIHULL Covid-19 rates have surged to 408 per 100,000, says the authority’s director of public health Ruth Tennant.
The proportion of people who are testing positive has also gone up quickly to 14.5 per cent.
This is the highest at any point in the pandemic with rises in every single part of the borough.
She said that over December, 2,326 Solihull residents tested positive for Covid and those figures are expected to rise further as the ‘Christmas Bubble’ infections come through the system.
“Apart from the human tragedy of more of our residents getting ill and inevitably more dying, there is extreme pressure on the NHS which is set to get worse as new cases continue to climb,” she said.
And she urged everyone to play their part by sticking rigidly to the lockdown rules while more people get vaccinated.
“We have to keep social interaction to the bare minimum – this is absolutely essential and is the best way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe,” she said.
“We must continue with the hands, face, space rules, but our best defence is don’t mix with other people.
“Please don’t help the virus spread by letting your guard down.
“Always imagine the person next to you has the virus and act accordingly.
“Take extra care when you do need to go out for essential reasons such as shopping for food and be respectful of people’s space to keep each other safe.”
On the delay in the people receiving the second dose of the two vaccines available, moving out from three weeks to 12 weeks, she said: “This is on very good public health grounds so that more people can be given the first dose allowing a larger number of people to be partially protected.
“This has been strongly advised by the UK’s chief medical officers and will be followed by our local NHS vaccination teams.
“They say that the evidence shows that one dose still offers a high level of protection, allowing the maximum benefit for the most people in the shortest possible time.
“Getting both doses remains important so do return for your second jab when requested.”
She also urged people to have the vaccine to protect themselves: “Do get vaccinated when you are offered the opportunity and also please encourage family and friends to have it too.”
