We are looking at very high figures this week - our latest rate (7 days to 18 July) is 869.3 per 100k with 1794 cases in the last week, a significantly higher peak than that in January.
Solihull currently has the 12th highest rate nationally in the seven days to 15 July.
While rates remain high the Council must act to protect residents even as more retail and hospitality opens up.
So - we are asking everyone to:
- Get vaccinated – first and second dose as soon as possible
- Wear face masks on public transport and in crowded indoor spaces
- Maintain social distancing
- Choose gatherings outdoors
- Self-isolate if you have COVID or are a close contact of a case
- Work from home if you can
We are calling on employers and businesses to:
- Encourage staff to get vaccinated
- Allow paid time off for vaccination
- Promote home working
- Maintain COVID secure measures including good ventilation
We will not hesitate to use our powers for legal action against businesses which are not COVID-safe and failing to protect staff and customers.
Serious economic and service disruption is being felt, due to the impact of high case numbers causing people to self-isolate.
Mounting pressure across all parts of the NHS will impact on both COVID and non-COVID patients – though vaccinations have meant fewer ICU / hospital admissions and deaths than in previous waves.
Vaccination is key: please get vaccinated as soon as you can. Find dates and venues including walk-in sites here: https://www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/