Sandwell Council is alerting people across the borough, but particularly in Smethwick, to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

Recent data sent to the council shows another 20 positive cases across Sandwell - 11 of them in Smethwick.

Director of Public Health Dr Lisa McNally said: “The risk of infection in Sandwell, and especially Smethwick, is clearly increasing rapidly.

“Smethwick has now seen 35 cases in just over a week – that is more than 10 times the rate we were seeing only a few weeks ago and people really do need to take this very seriously.

“I would urge everyone to redouble their efforts to follow safety guidance, do not think the virus has gone – it most certainly has not. 

"Talk to family, friends and colleagues and make sure they understand how critical this is.”

Dr McNally said it is vitally important that people stringently follow COVID-19 advice. This includes:

Stay home and self-isolate if you have a cough, high temperature or change in sense of taste or smell.

Book a test via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call 119.

• If you have symptoms people in your household should also self-isolate at home
• Do whatever is possible to isolate symptomatic people in the household from non-symptomatic people
• Even if you do not have symptoms, people should stay home as much as possible, and certainly avoid any crowds
• If you have to go out, maintain a distance of at least 1 metre (preferably 2 metres) from other people and wear a face covering
• Managers of shops, businesses, faith settings and any other place where people gather should stringently adhere to all COVID-19 prevention guidance
• Managers of businesses or community settings can get advice on preventing COVID-19 by emailing PHCovid19_Enquiries@sandwell.gov.uk 
• Please visit the www.nhs.uk for more information on COVID-19