COVID infection figures in Solihull have shown a small decline to around 495 infections per 100,000 with new cases falling to 1,023 each week.
Ten of the borough’s wards have seen a decrease, with seven increasing.
Solihull’s director of public health Ruth Tennant said: “The decrease is much slower than we experienced in March’s lockdown last year, but it is welcome news and shows all the effort people have put in is beginning to pay off.
“Sadly, hospital in-patient numbers are still increasing and continue to put enormous pressure on our local NHS, so it is crucial to stick with the restrictions until our numbers fall to much lower levels.”
She said the data showed the most common place for people to get Covid was in their own home and the likelihood was that people were going out and about, picking up the infection, then spreadign it to their loved ones when they got home.
“If someone you live with is infected – keep your house well ventilated, don’t share towels, mugs, plates, or other household items and try to stay in a different room if possible,” she said.
“Even if you can’t do all of these, do as many as you can.”
The borough is offering tests to all key workers who are unable to work from home and who don’t already get tests every three to five days from their employer.
All businesses that remain open are being contacted to ensure managers and employees know of the offer and to encourage them to get their staff tested regularly.
The aim is to break the work to home transmission path through targeted testing.
“Regular, rapid testing will identify those who may have Covid but don’t show any symptoms and so might unknowingly be infecting others,” said Ms Tennant.
Anyone who is over 16 and whose job means they need to be out and about and working with the public can book their rapid Covid test here.
These tests should be booked in advance. Testing centres are located at Newington Resource Centre and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and North Solihull Sports Centre.
