Sandwell on alert as coronavirus cases spike in Smethwick, according to health officials

Sandwell Council has begun alerting people across the borough to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, especially in Smethwick.

Data sent to the council on Saturday shows another twenty positive cases across Sandwell, with eleven of them in Smethwick, according to a statement from the town council.

Health officials are warning members of the public not to become relaxed about observing social distancing and wearing face masks, emphasising that the threat of coronavirus “most certainly has not” disappeared.

Director of Public Health Dr Lisa McNally said: “The risk of infection in Sandwell, and especially Smethwick, is clearly increasing rapidly.

“Smethwick has now seen 35 cases in just over a week – that is more than 10 times the rate we were seeing only a few weeks ago and people really do need to take this very seriously.

“I would urge everyone to redouble their efforts to follow safety guidance, do not think the virus has gone – it most certainly has not.

“Talk to family, friends and colleagues and make sure they understand how critical this is.”

Dr McNally said it is vital people stringently follow COVID-19 advice, which includes staying at home, and self-isolating if they have a cough, high temperature or change in sense of taste or smell. She also encourages booking a test to check for coronavirus.

Stay safe, stay at home

• If you have symptoms people in your household should also self-isolate at home
• Do whatever is possible to isolate symptomatic people in the household from non-symptomatic people
• Even if you do not have symptoms, people should stay home as much as possible, and certainly avoid any crowds
• If you have to go out, maintain a distance of at least 1 metre (preferably 2 metres) from other people and wear a face covering
• Managers of shops, businesses, faith settings and any other place where people gather should stringently adhere to all COVID-19 prevention guidance
• Managers of businesses or community settings can get advice on preventing COVID-19 by emailing PHCovid19_Enquiries@sandwell.gov.uk

For more information on COVID-19, visit the www.nhs.uk. To book a test, visit: www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call 119.