THE number of Covid-19 cases in Solihull nearly doubled in the week to July 3, according to new figures.
The borough currently has an infection rate of 415 per 100,000 bringing the total number of people with coronavirus to 897, an increase of 427 compared to the previous week.
The average for ungland over the same period is 201.
And the news has brought a plea from Councillor Ian Courts, the Leader of Solihull Council, who said he was still in favour of mask wearing, despite the planned easing of restrictions.
He said: “Our Covid rates are now well over 400 cases per 100,000 people, and still rising.
“Please, can everyone who can, get their double dose of vaccine.
“We are on a knife-edge. This invisible virus is set to be with us for the foreseeable future and our best defence remains getting everyone fully vaccinated and taking regular tests.
“We have to be vigilant against new variants.
“However, in the future, it is going to be less about what government rules say, more about common sense behaviour of keeping your distance as much as possible, sanitising and hygiene, as if the next person had a bad case of flu.
“I am still a supporter of mask-wearing.
“To help accelerate vaccine uptake, more walk-in vaccine sessions are planned for Chelmsley Wood over the coming week. You don’t have to book, just turn up and get a jab, either your first or second.”
Tomorrow, Friday, July 9, the mobile vaccine van will be in the Asda car park at 341 Bosworth Drive, B37 5EX in Chelmsley Wood town centre from 11am until 5pm.
It will be there again on Tuesday and Wednesday July 13-14 from 5pm to 7pm and on Saturday, July 17 from 9am to 1pm.
There will be walk-in vaccine sessions at Chelmsley Wood Primary Care Centre at 16 Crabtree Drive, B37 5BU.
All the walk-in sessions will be offering the Pfizer vaccine, which is for anyone over 18.
Tests for Covid-19 are available at the community testing hubs in Solihull, next to the Halifax bank, or Chelmsley Wood, by the bus interchange.
