SOLIHULL will stay as an area of ‘national intervention’ amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite slowing rates of disease transmission in the borough.
The Department of Health has made no change to Solihull’s status, after a fortnight, along with other areas in the West Midlands in Birmingham and Sandwell.
The West Midlands has the fourth highest regional rate of coronavirus prevalence, with the spread occurring through household gatherings, according to health leaders.
Leader of Birmingham Council, Coun Ian Ward said all age groups were seeing rising cases, with the greatest proportion among 20-40 year olds.
Clive Wright, the regional convener for the Department of Health, said: “The highest rates remain in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton.
“This means restrictions have been kept in place by the Secretary of State.
“Up and down the country we are seeing a high prevalence of the disease.
“But we know if we carry on as normal in the West Midlands we will be in the same lockdown situation as in the North East.
“We also need time to prove the interventions are working.
“We have to perform a careful balancing act to protect local livelihoods, whilst protecting the vulnerable
“We must continue to do our bit as it will make all the difference in the long run.”
Mr Wright added rates per 100,000 in Birmingham on Tuesday (September 29) stood at 146.3 and today stand at 139.2.
Infections in Solihull have risen from 75.8 cases per 100,000 to 79.6 today.
In Coventry, the rate has also risen from 66.3 cases per 100,000 to 71.2 over the same four days.
Mr Wright added: “In terms of testing this week, demand is increasing across the board and testing capacity has increased in recent weeks.
“To give an indication, two weeks ago for the week ending September 17, we were completing 30,000 tests.
“Last week up to September 21, 36,000 people were tested that week and as of yesterday we have done 42,000 tests.
“This week in Coventry there have been 4165 tests, and in Solihull we have completed 2756.
“Test are prioritised in areas where they are needed, including the areas in national intervention.
“Although we are getting more streamlined I would still urge people to only book tests if you have symptoms, which means we have more capacity in laboratories.”
