Be alert and get jab plea as 500 test positive for Covid in week

Five hundred people in Wolverhampton tested positive for Covid-19 last week – with health leaders calling on the city's residents to remain extremely vigilant to the deadly virus and get their life-saving vaccination as soon as possible.

Latest figures show there were 190.2 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 3 July, the equivalent of 500 people in the city testing positive.

This is an increase of 800% in a month, as just 55 people tested positive in Wolverhampton in the week to 2 June. Nationally, cases are up 63% week on week, and hospitalisations have increased by just over a quarter.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "While all the attention at present is on the merits or otherwise of the planned relaxation of restrictions later this month, Covid-19 is telling us very clearly that it isn't going away.

"Cases numbers are continuing to rise, although it does seem as though the vaccine is doing its job in keeping hospital admissions lower compared to the last wave, which is obviously very good news. So the message is clear, please continue to do everything you can to stop the spread of Covid-19 and come forward for your vaccine if you haven't already had it, because it could prove to be life-saving."

Professor David Loughton CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “I would encourage all adults to get their vaccine so they can be protected from this deadly virus and please remember to fully benefit from that protection, you must have both doses.

“I really cannot over-emphasise the importance of getting the vaccine. It is really helping to reduce the immense pressure we have seen on our health services over the past year.

“Your vaccine protects you against serious illness caused by Covid-19, but you could still pass the virus on to other people. That’s why I would also encourage everyone to continue to follow the Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air guidance and to test often to reassure yourself and others that you don’t have the virus.”

People can book an appointment by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or attend a walk-in centre without an appointment – locations, times and dates can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/local-vaccine. For more information about the vaccine, including the answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/vaccine or www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

For details of the current restrictions, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert. For details of rapid testing, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/get-tested. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, which include a fever, a new continuous cough or a change to the sense of taste or smell, must immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119.