Tier 4 warnings as coronavirus infection rates rise across Black Country and Staffordshire
Residents in the Black Country and Staffordshire are being urged to not mix with each other during Christmas as coronavirus infection rates in the region continue to rise.
Infection rates have been rising across the West Midlands since December 6 and analysis shows around one in 10 recent cases are of the new more contagious strain of the disease.
Data from the national coronavirus infection survey shows the mutant strain has been in the West Midlands for at least one month and that 11 per cent of cases in the region for the week starting December 9 were the variant strain.
Council and health chiefs in the region are warning people to rethink their Christmas bubble plans – and redouble efforts to follow coronavirus guidance.
Coronavirus rates have risen in all parts of the Black Country and Staffordshire in recent days. Wolverhampton's average infection rate in the week to December 17 was 306.8 cases per 100,000 people, while Sandwell's was 265.5, Dudley's 232.6 and Walsall's 231.2.
While in Staffordshire, the case rate for the week to December 17 per 100,000 people was 248.1 for Cannock Chase, 220.7 in Stafford, 204.6 in South Staffordshire and 184.2 in Lichfield.
The region remains in Tier 3 for the festive season –– but there are fears it could soon be placed into Tier 4, with reports emerging yesterday that harsher restrictions could be introduced as soon as Boxing Day.
Wolverhampton Council leader Ian Brookfield said it was "only a matter of time" before Tier 4 restrictions are introduced, while Sandwell Council's director of public health said she expected the new strain of the virus to be "prevalent in our area very soon".
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Councillor Brookfield said: "This new strain of Covid-19 is a really worrying development. We have seen parts of the country move to Tier 4 restrictions and must face the likelihood that it's only a matter of time before similar measures are introduced here.
"This could happen at any time and we saw on Saturday how little notice areas can get of a change to their tier.
“That's why I’m urging people to take the decision at the earliest opportunity not to mix with other households on Christmas Day – for the sake of themselves and their loved ones.
"This is not the Christmas any of us deserve, especially after all the sacrifices we have already had to make throughout the pandemic. But it is time for us all to exercise extreme caution – because the more quickly we act now, the more lives we will save."
Sandwell Council’s director for public health Dr Lisa McNally said: "A new variant of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 has now spread to most areas of the country. It is expected to be prevalent in our area very soon.
"The new variant spreads much more easily than previous strains so we can expect a dramatic rise in cases over the next few weeks.
“This will inevitably mean more pressure on already strained hospital critical care units and an increase in deaths.
“The most important safety advice remains to make sure you remember hands, face, space - to keep yourself and others safe.
"Our data suggests that shops, and especially supermarkets, are likely places for infection. Having visitors into the home is also high risk
“If businesses are overcrowded and not adhering to Covid-19 safety messages, don’t go there.”
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, added: "We know these are incredibly difficult times for our communities and it is with a heavy heart that I come to people today to plead with them to think twice before seeing loved ones over the Christmas period.
"We must all play our part and by spending Christmas exclusively with our own household members, we can help to reduce the spread and protect the most vulnerable people in our society.
"I am hopeful that in 2021 the vaccine will offer hope and progress in our fight against the pandemic but in the meantime, we need a collective effort at a local, regional and national level.
"Please behave as though you or any person you come into contact could have the virus and maintain a high level of vigilance and alert – anything less could have devastating consequences for you and the people you love."
