16 March
16 March
While Sandwell’s COVID-19 case rates remain the lowest in England*, rising infections regionally and nationally are a reminder that we all still need to be careful.
It is still possible to catch and spread Covid-19, even if you are fully vaccinated, and people are urged to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have any of the main symptoms or receive a positive test result.
With the easing of Government restrictions, there are still some simple steps people in Sandwell can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading Covid-19:
- Get vaccinated – the vaccine is your best defence against the virus, please do not miss out on any jabs you are eligible for
- Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside
- Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces
- Get tested if you have Covid-19 symptoms, and stay at home if positive.
While people are not legally required to self-isolate, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five full days if they have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19 or a positive test result. Employers are advised to recommend these actions to any of their staff who have symptoms or a positive test result.
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health, said: “Sandwell’s Covid-19 case rates remain the lowest in the country
“More densely populated areas are susceptible to higher levels of cases as we move into the endemic phase. The more transmissible Omicron strain (BA.2) is increasing, and a combination variant – Deltacron – has also been identified.
“Covid-19 restrictions may have eased but Sandwell Council will continue to protect those who are most vulnerable. We have the systems in place to maintain resilience through contingency planning and by keeping a close eye on cases in care homes and schools, should infection rates continue to rise. We are also ready to step up our contract tracing system, which was named as an example of best practice by the Local Government Association.
“Individuals and businesses can play their parts too by following Covid-19 advice and keeping us all safe. Don’t drop your guard. Sandwell Council is here to help and provide expert advice.”
Dr Lisa McNally, Sandwell Council’s director of public health, said: “Our overriding aim is to protect and support the people of Sandwell, but the global pandemic is not yet over and there is still some uncertainty about how the UK will be affected.
“Vaccines offer the best protection, and these have enabled the gradual removal of restrictions on everyday life. But everyone knows that the end of government restrictions doesn’t mean the virus has gone away. The Public Health Team will continue to keep our outbreak response in place and make sure case rates are carefully monitored.
“I would urge everyone in Sandwell to continue to follow the latest Covid-19 guidance and wear face coverings where possible in busy, indoor areas. We should also make sure we never go to work or school if we have Covid-like symptoms. It’s our choice to protect ourselves and our family from the potentially serious illness that the virus can cause.”
For information and guidance on Covid-19, including vaccination and testing, visit www.healthysandwell.co.uk/covid-19
If you’re not up to date with your Covid-19 jabs, come along to our pop-up vaccine clinics. There will be two Covid-19 clinics in Smethwick this weekend:
- Saturday, 19 March, Cape Hill Retail Centre, Cape Hill B66 4PH from 10am-6.30pm
- Sunday, 20 March, Hadley Stadium, Wilson Road B66 4NL from 10am-6.30pm
You can also visit the following pharmacies/venues during their normal opening hours:
- Victoria Pharmacy, 5a Suffrage Street, Smethwick B66 3PZ
- City Road Methodist Church, City Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 0NL
- Afro-Caribbean Millennium Centre (ACMC), 339 Dudley Road, Winson Green, Birmingham B18 4HB
- Bearwood Pharmacy, 348a Bearwood Road, Smethwick B66 4ES
- Vaccine Hub, City Hospital, Sheldon Block, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH
- Ashworth Pharmacy, 211a Queens Road, Smethwick B67 6NX
- Masters Pharmacy, 182 Vicarage Road, Oldbury B68 8JB
For more information go to: www.healthysandwell.co.uk/clinics
