Remain vigilant plea as Government plans relaxation of rules

Residents are being urged to remain vigilant after the Government outlined the planned relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions later this month as infection rates rise in Wolverhampton and other parts of the country.

Latest figures show 540 people in the city tested positive for Covid-19 in the seven days to 6 July – with the infection rate doubling every seven days. Hospital admissions are also rising.

The Prime Minister this week detailed plans to relax restrictions from 19 July, with a decision due to be taken next week as to whether or not to go ahead with step four of the Government’s road map out of lockdown.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Some people may have mixed feelings about the prospect of restrictions being lifted in a couple of weeks time. While the move will be welcomed by many, it will cause concern for others.

"We know that Covid-19 hasn't gone away – infections are spiraling in Wolverhampton and nearly 550 of our fellow Wulfrunians tested positive for the virus last week.

"Indeed, the Health Secretary has suggested that, nationally, case numbers could easily rise above 100,000 a day over the summer; this would be higher than at any point in the pandemic.

"The good news is that we know the vaccine dramatically reduces people's chances of falling seriously ill with Covid-19, so it is now a race against time to get as many people protected as possible before the measures which have helped protect people for so long are lifted.

"All over 18s can get the jab, so if you've not had your first and second doses yet, please do so as soon as you can, either by booking an appointment or by attending a walk-in clinic.

"As we wait for a final decision from Government about the next step, which is likely to put the onus on people to exercise greater personal responsibility, we must remember that the current restrictions remain in place and everyone should carry on doing everything they can to keep the virus under control.

"Please continue to follow the guidance, practice Hands, Face, Space, get a PCR test if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and take a regular rapid test if you don't to reassure yourself and others that you don't have the virus."

Latest figures show there were 205.4 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 6 July. That means 540 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that seven day period – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.

Further details about the Covid-19 measures currently in place, plus frequently asked questions and answers, are available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.
To get a vaccine, book an appointment via www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling NHS 119 or attend a walk-in clinic – full details of times and locations at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/local-vaccine.

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.