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Coronavirus cases across region soar by 20,000 in a week

Almost 22,000 new Covid cases were recorded in one week the Black Country, Birmingham and parts of Staffordshire, figures show.

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Leaders across the region have urged residents to stick the rules as we enter the first weekend in the third national lockdown.

They have warned that the new coronavirus variant is spiralling out of control after a record surge in cases heaped pressure on local NHS services.

Cases have continued to rise since the turn of the year, and in the last seven days the region has recorded its highest number of infections for the whole pandemic.

Leaders called on communities to help save the lives of older people by following lockdown rules to the letter.

Sandwell Council’s deputy leader, Councillor Maria Crompton, said: “This is a dangerous time, especially for the older members of our community who are at greater risk of severe illness and death.

“Everyone must stay home as much as possible and not have any visitors except for essential carers.”

University Hospitals of North Midlands chief executive Tracy Bullock said the “significant” increase in Covid cases in Staffordshire had resulted in rising admissions at County Hospital.

She said: “It now more important than ever for our local communities to adhere to the new national lockdown restrictions.”

Katie Spence, PHE Midlands Health Protection Director, said: “We’ve seen a very worrying increase in Covid-19 figures. The rapid rise is highly concerning, it should be a bitter warning for us all.”

Clive Wright, the Covid-19 regional convener for the West Midlands, said: “We expect the increases to continue until the benefits of the lockdown begin to show.”

Cases have continued to surge since the turn of the year, and in the last seven days the region has recorded its highest number of infections for the whole pandemic.

In the Black Country, Birmingham and parts of Staffordshire, 21,834 cases were recorded in the seven days to January 4.

Wolverhampton has the highest infection rate in the West Midlands at 1,024.5 cases per 100,000, which health chiefs put down to increased mixing over Christmas following the roll out of mass testing.

In Sandwell, the rate has more than doubled to 933.5 per 100,000 people, after 3,066 new cases were recorded in a week.

Walsall’s infection rate is 828.8 per 100,000, while in Dudley it is 733.2.

South Staffordshire has a rate of 664.4, while Cannock’s rate is 637.1 and it is 523 in Stafford.

In Birmingham 8,440 new cases were recorded in the week, putting the rate at 739.2.

Lichfield now has the lowest rate in the region at 496.4 per 100,000 people.

Meanwhile, non-urgent outpatient work and day case activity has also been rearranged at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, to help cope with the increasing number of Covid patients being admitted.

Bosses say it will allow staff to be redeployed to support other priorities.