Praise for way city is responding in fight against Covid-19

Wulfrunians have been thanked for the sacrifices they are making in the fight against Covid-19 – and are being urged to ‘stay alert and stay the course’.

After a rapid increase in cases from late August to the middle of September, the infection rate in Wolverhampton has remained relatively stable after the introduction of local lockdown measures a fortnight ago designed to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Latest data shows there were 69.09 cases per 100,000 residents in Wolverhampton over the seven days up to 4 October, fewer than in many other parts of the region – and dramatically lower than Knowsley, which recorded over 550 cases per 100,000 residents, the highest in England, during the same period.

However, the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is increasing, with deaths from the virus also rising again.

Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "We have to remain on our guard and not let hard-won gains slip away through complacency because, despite some of the silly things you may read or hear, Covid-19 hasn't gone away. We need to double-down on the rules, stay alert and stay the course.

"Very sadly, we all know that Covid-19 kills people and leaves others with serious, long-lasting, issues. We all have a duty to do our bit and stop the infection spreading.

"Two weeks ago, we asked everybody to follow some challenging new rules in order to look after each other and ensure our city doesn’t go back to the dark place we were in during March and April.

"And I want to thank you for the way you’re responding; the early signs are that the sacrifices you are making are working and our infection rates are stabilising rather than spiralling out of control.

"Now is not the time to ease up or think that the race is won – this is far from over and we cannot be complacent. But the power to bring this virus under control and return our lives to some semblance of normality is in our hands.

"When we look back in years to come, I know that, like me, you will want to be able to say that, in these difficult days, you did the right thing to protect yourself, your family and your fellow citizens.              

"We’ve undoubtedly got more challenging times ahead of us – but please keep doing what you’re doing and, together, we will get through this."

Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health John Denley added: "Covid-19 is still with us, but if we all play our part we will stop the spread – and there are some key things we all must continue to do.”

• Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, wear a face covering where required, follow the rule of six and stay 2m apart from people you don’t live with, or 1m-plus with extra precautions if 2m is not possible.
• Don't allow people you either don't live with or who aren’t part of your support or care bubble into your home or garden, and don’t visit theirs.
• Download the NHS Covid-19 app and 'check in' when you visit businesses and other venues. Support businesses which are Covid-secure, and take your custom elsewhere if they are not.
• Work from home if you can.
• Most importantly, self-isolate and get a Covid-19 test if you have symptoms, no matter how mild, by visitingwww.nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119. You can now get a test up to eight days after first developing symptoms.

The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. For full details of the local restrictions currently in place, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/restrictions.