Positive Covid case rates have dropped in Walsall

Public Health officers told a Walsall Council scrutiny overview committee the number of confirmed positive cases had dropped by more than 30 per cent in the last seven days according to latest figures.

But they added the level of testing has dropped since charges were introduced, and said the real number of cases could be higher.

In the seven days up to April 21, there were 532 recorded cases – a drop of 33.2 per cent on the previous week.

In the week ending, April 17, there was one Covid death – compared with six the previous seven days – bringing the borough’s overall number to 1,052 since the pandemic started.

Officers also said vaccination rates were generally good, although there were still issues of low uptake in some parts of the borough.

Emma Thomas, public health intelligence manager, said: “The number of positive cases of Covid has, encouragingly, come down by just over 30 per cent.

“Please be aware though that testing isn’t more freely available and these are only those we are aware about, so there could be more around the borough. So it’s still important to be conscious of that.

“The vaccination is still our main defence. The highest number of unvaccinated people remains amongst our younger group, particularly amongst the 18-29 year olds.

“Certain pockets around the borough also do have lower uptake around the south, in particular Pleck, Palfrey, St Matthews, Birchills-Leamore and Blakenall.

“Hospital inpatients number is at 92. It was higher than that previously. The critical beds situation is currently at zero for Walsall.”

Councillor Stephen Craddock, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “There are still lots of cases out there. The numbers in hospitals are coming down but we are still getting some deaths unfortunately from the virus.

“You still need to be aware of the Covid measures that have been drummed into us for months and months – hands, face, space and fresh air.

“Children aged five to 11 are eligible for the Covid vaccination, that started at the beginning of this month. They get two doses of the Pfizer vaccine 12 weeks apart.

“The Saddlers Vaccination Centre has moved to the former urgent care centre on Bridgeman Street, adjacent to the Saddlers Centre, and there are specially trained staff in there to cater for the younger children.

“People aged over 75 and those aged 12 and over with a weak immune system or long-term health condition can top up their protection against Covid with a spring booster and it has to be six months after their last vaccination.

“We know immunity can wane over a period of time therefore its important for those high at risk to boost their immunity to keep protected.

“One of the biggest frustrations for me personally over the last two years is the level of uptake in communities across Walsall. It’s not one or two particular ones.

“We do compare well against national targets and we’ve done everything we can.

“The Covid champions, I have to say, deserve the praise for them and the way they’ve worked in the face of difficult anti-vaxx publicity and confrontations they’ve had to deal with.

“There is a lot of Covid still out there and you do need to take care. If you haven’t had the vaccination, you need to be aware it is a serious illness and could put you in hospital and you could end up dying from it.”