Take extra care this weekend plea as Covid cases rise

Wulfrunians are being urged to take extra care this weekend and follow the latest measures as coronavirus cases in the city continue to rise.

Latest data shows there were 123.41 cases per 100,000 residents over the seven days to 13 October, up from 90.02 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to 6 October.

The city has been placed in the High alert category (tier 2) meaning that:

• You must not socialise with anybody outside your household or your care or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in public (for instance in pubs and restaurants)
• You must not socialise in a group of more than six outside, including in a garden or park (other than where specific exemptions apply in law).

Businesses and venues can continue to operate in a Covid-secure manner, other than those that are already closed in law, though pubs, restaurants and bars must shut at 10pm. Takeaways can operate after 10pm but only via delivery service, collection or drive-through. For full details, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We head into the weekend with the infection rate going in the wrong direction, in Wolverhampton and across the country, so we all need to redouble our efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“The tier 2 restrictions which came into effect this week mean that people from different households cannot mix indoors in any setting, so if you are going out for a meal or a drink this weekend, please do so only with other members of your household or bubble, and no one else. If you’re meeting other households outside, remember to follow the rule of six, and wherever you are going and whatever you are doing, please practice social distancing at all times, and wear a face where required.”

Superintendent Simon Inglis from Wolverhampton Police said: "It is clear that we still have a significant challenge in the city to keep the virus under control and ultimately save lives.

"We recognise this as a service and will continue to work with our Public Health, Environmental Health and council partners to ensure compliance with the regulations.

"Over the weekend we will be proactively attending licensed premises across the city to ensure compliance with the new tier 2 regulations. We have shown in recent weeks that we are prepared to support closures of premises not complying with the restrictions where necessary, and whilst we will always seek to provide advice and support in the first instance, we will not shy away from such action again if deemed necessary.

"Please help is to help you and keep our city safe."

Symptoms of Covid-19 include a fever, a new, continuous cough and loss or change to a person’s sense of taste and smell. People with symptoms, no matter how mild, should immediately self-isolate and book a test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119. People can now get tests 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.