Coronavirus warning as Wolverhampton infection rate rises again

According to the latest Government data the figure was recorded on July 31, marking the highest number of daily cases in the city since May 15, when 18 were recorded.

It takes the total number of new cases in the final two weeks of last month to 60, and comes as the average number of cases per 100,000 residents in the city rose to 15.6.

The rate is still lower than Sandwell, where the latest figures put the average number of cases at 19.9 per 100,000 people down from 29.3 the week before.

Public health officials say the data shows that coronavirus "remains prevalent" in the city and warned that in many of the new cases people were asymptomatic, meaning they had no symptoms at the time of their test.

Latest rates of infection in the region:

Average number of new cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to July 31.

Figures show rate for seven days to July 31 followed by equivalent figure for the previous seven days to July 24.

Data for the most recent three days (August 1-3) has been excluded as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

• Sandwell 19.9 (65) v 29.3 (96)

• Wolverhampton 15.6 (41) v 14.5 (38)

• Birmingham 12.4 (142) v 13.4 (153)

• Walsall 8.1 (23) v 8.1 (23)

• Stafford 7.4 (10) v 2.2 (3)

• Cannock Chase 7.0 (7) v 8.0 (8)

• Dudley 4.7 (15) v 3.4 (11)

• South Staffordshire 3.6 (4) v 6.2 (7)

• Click here for full list of rates across England

They urged people to take "collective responsibility" for combatting the virus in order to avoid a local lockdown.

The latest spike is believed to be partly down to increased testing after a new pop-up centre opened in the car park at Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub.

Wolverhampton’s director of public health John Denley said: "The increase in cases in Wolverhampton over the last couple of weeks show that Covid-19 remains prevalent in the city and reminds us just how easy the virus can spread, particularly within households and from one family to another.

"We've also noticed that many of these new cases are asymptomatic.

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"It's important we identify them, because people without symptoms can still pass on the virus. That’s why we're shifting towards more proactive testing for people who may be asymptomatic but are in health and social care settings and workplace or community settings where they may be at greater risk of contracting Covid-19.

"We have been promoting this proactive testing and the increase in cases is partly a result of this.

"We are reviewing a range of other indicators to give us a fuller picture of coronavirus activity in the city and at present we still believe that the risk to the community remains low – but we need to ensure it stays that way and avoid a local lockdown.

“That’s why we must take collective responsibility in combatting the virus."

Residents have been urged to observe social distancing, wear face masks in public spaces and regularly wash their hands. Those displaying Covid symptoms must self-isolate for 10 days and arrange a test as soon as possible.