THE number of people testing positive for Covid in Solihull has continued to spiral upwards, increasing by 612 cases to 1,503 in the weeek ending March 17.
So far the borough has had 67,608 Covid infections recorded since the start of the pandemic, equivalent to one in four residents.
Figures also show that so far just 65 per cent of people have had their booster jabs in Solihull, even as the NHS starts to roll out fourth jabs for the over 75s.
The borough’s director of public health Ruth Tennant last week said: “It is clear that the virus is still with us and circulating widely.
“Worryingly we have seen a recent increase in the number of people hospitalised with Covid locally, although severe illness and death rates from Covid are around 40 times lower during this Omicron wave than compared to earlier waves of the pandemic.”
She added that although legal restrictions had been lifted, people can still choose to take measures that don’t restrict their lives but can slow the spread and protect people who may be more vulnerable to the virus.
She advises people to:
Get vaccinated and get your booster dose.
Opt to wear a face covering in crowded indoor places and public transport
Ventilation: if you meet indoors, let in plenty of fresh air or think about meeting people in outside spaces.
Get tested if you have Covid symptoms and register your test result.
It’s still the right thing to do to keep yourself away from others if you test positive or think you have Covid.
Studies have shown and continue to show, that vaccination provides extra protection against severe disease and gives an extra boost to immunity even if people have had Covid before.
The Joint Committee and Vaccination and Immunisation has now recommended a fourth Spring booster dose as an important additional protection for older people or people who have weakened immune systems which makes them at higher risk.
“The good news is that we have seen an increase in people coming forward for vaccination in some areas. If you or a family member hasn’t had theirs, now is the time to get one,” said Ms Tennant.
Gor more information visit: www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/.
