Coronavirus cases continuing to rise across Black Country and Staffordshire

Latest figures show cases are up across the board in the West Midlands, as the region follows the concerning trend across the UK which has forced the Government to enforce tough new restrictions.

New Covid cases in Sandwell rocketed by 76 in just three days with council bosses reporting a rapid rise in numbers in West Bromwich, Great Barr and Newton, as well as in Smethwick, which has long been a cause for concern.

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The increase raises the chances of the borough entering a local lockdown after being listed as an area of enhanced support by Public Health England.

Numbers are also up again in Wolverhampton, where officials have warned of the prospect of restrictions if cases do not flatten out.

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Latest figures for the week from August 31 to September 6 put Sandwell's infection rate at 38 per 100,000 and Wolverhampton's at 37 per 100,000, with both increasing over recent days.

Public health officials in Wolverhampton have warned the city faces a crucial couple of weeks in terms of the direction of Covid infections.

Walsall and Dudley have also seen an increase in cases over the last week and the rates are now at 23 per 100,000 and 21 per 100,000 respectively.

The numbers of new patients in Dudley increased from 36 to 66 in a week despite the borough having the lowest rate of infections in the Black Country.

Birmingham, which is being closely monitored by the Government amid warnings of a lockdown, now sits at 77 cases per 100,000. Bolton's rate was around 120 per 100,000 when tough restrictions were imposed on the town this week.

Response

Sandwell’s spiralling numbers came as the Government passed emergency legislation making social gatherings of more than six people illegal.

In response to the government’s move, Lisa McNally, Sandwell’s director of public health, said: “We have already been encouraging people to avoid social gatherings so Wednesday’s announcement supports our existing advice.

“We need everyone in Sandwell to continue their efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19 and take this really seriously.”

She added: “If you experience Covid-19 symptoms no matter how mild they are, you must not leave your home and you must do everything you can to avoid passing it on to people in your household.

“Everyone needs to be vigilant and stop the spread of Covid-19.”

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Council leader Ian Brookfield has called for local authorities to be given more powers over restrictions, which are currently imposed by the Health Secretary from Whitehall.

He said: "They must ensure that local councils have everything they need to overcome this crisis.

"Furthermore we call on Government to trust and respect local councils and give us the powers we need to support our communities as it becomes increasingly clear that the responsibility of preventing a second wave will be through local lockdowns borne by local government."