Covid cases stable, but 'bigger challenges to come'

In the last seven-day period across the region there has been 2,686 new cases compared to 2,960 in the previous seven-day period, Dr Lola Abudu, Midlands Regional Deputy Director for Public Health England, told the West Midlands Combined Authority briefing today.

Clive Wright, Covid-19 regional convenor for the West Midlands, said that levels of infection per 100,000 of the population for Birmingham on Tuesday was 146.3, and 139.2 as of October 1, Dudley was 45.2 and 52.5, Sandwell was 113.3 and 107.5, Walsall was 78.7 and 72.7 and Wolverhampton was 76.3 and 74.8.

He added: "Overall, this shows a reduction in last week's figures which is encouraging but we mustn't be complacent.

"We have the fourth highest number of cases in England and the rates of new diagnosis remain above the national average.