More than 200 Birmingham Council staff have tested positive for Covid
More than 200 positive coronavirus cases have been confirmed at Birmingham City Council since the pandemic began.
There have been 212 coronavirus cases among the authority's staff since the beginning of March, out of around 10,000 staff in total.
This means an infection rate for the period of the whole pandemic of 2.1 per cent – putting it slightly below the UK percentage of 2.5 per cent and well below the percentage for the city of 3.7 per cent.
The areas of the council which have seen the highest numbers of cases have been the neighbourhoods and adult social care directorates – where almost half of the council’s staff are employed.
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A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “We have worked with trades unions to ensure measures, in line with national guidance, have been put in place for all of our employees.
“For the most at-risk, we have completed individual risk assessments to ensure all mitigations have been explored.
“According to latest figures, over 1.7 million people have tested positive nationally.
"The council, like any other employer, will sadly and inevitably have individuals within that number but we have done – and will continue to do – all we can to keep our workers and the public as safe as possible from the threats posed by the virus.”
It was reported at the start of the pandemic that refuse workers were concerned about a lack of PPE provision and social distancing capabilities on vehicles.
Speaking recently, a refuse worker who did not want to be named said: “Everything has been running pretty much as normal.
“Surprisingly, despite not being able to social distance in the cabs and the work we do, very few employees have had any problems.
“A few have had to isolate because of family members and one or two have tested positive but even these suspect they contracted the virus outside of work. I’ve been very surprised if I’m honest.”
