Hospital admission rates continuing to fall across Black Country and Staffordshire
More than 1,300 coronavirus patients are receiving treatment in Black Country and Staffordshire hospitals but admission rates are falling, figures show.
Data from NHS England shows 1,319 patients with Covid-19 were being treated in hospital as of February 2.
But the number of admissions in the week to January 31 were 946 across the area – which was down from 1,310 previous week, the latest figures reveal.
It comes as concerns remain over the more contagious South African strain found in Walsall and Birmingham.
Stuart Anderson, MP for Wolverhampton South West, said: “I’m in regular contact with the council and the hospital and we talk on a very close basis.
"This is progress – the admission rates are coming down which is good news. We’re heading in the right direction, but everyone should continue to adhere to the rules so we can come through this stronger than ever.”
Maria Crompton, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, added: "The numbers are going down slowly and things are improving, but people do still need to be very very careful.
"People need to be careful at work and when they got home they need to make sure they wash their hands and change their clothes so they're not bringing anything back in with them.
"People should be careful when going out shopping as well – if a place looks crowded then don't go into that shop.
"Things are getting better but it needs to be better still – and just because people are vaccinated doesn't mean it's safe for everyone yet."
A total of 1,033 Covid-19 patients were being treated in hospitals in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell and West Birmingham as of February 2.
Admissions to hospitals in the week to January 31 were at 699, down from 1,026 in the previous seven days, official figures showed.
Coronavirus figures by area:
In Staffordshire, 286 Covid-19 patients being treated at hospitals run by the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust as of February 2.
But admissions to hospitals run by the trust – Stafford County Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital – were at 207 on January 31, down from 284 the previous week.
In Wolverhampton, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust – which runs New Cross Hospital – was caring for 247 coronavirus patients as of February 2.
The number was down from 316 on the same day the previous week. A total of 154 patients were admitted in the week to January 31 – down from 288.
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust – which runs Russells Hall Hospital – was caring for 210 coronavirus patients in hospital as of February 2, figures show.
It is down from 226 on the same day the previous week. A total of 170 patients were admitted in the week to January 31 which was down from a total of 239.
The Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust – which runs the Manor Hospital – was caring for 202 coronavirus patients in hospital as of February 2, figures show.
The figure is down from 222 on the same day the previous week. A total of 149 patients were admitted to hospital in the week to January 31 – down from 172.
The Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs Sandwell General Hospital and Birmingham City Hospital – was caring for 374 patients as of February 2.
It is down from 424 on the same day the previous week. A total of 266 patients were admitted to hospital in the week to January 31, which was down from 327 in the previous seven days.
