People can help by:
- Getting their Covid-19 vaccinations as soon as they can
- Taking a rapid test before meeting up with others
- Wearing face coverings where required
- And practicing social distancing where they can.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We've seen a big jump in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Wolverhampton over the last couple of weeks, mainly driven by the new, more transmissible Omicron variant, and so we're urging everyone to do all they can to protect themselves and others throughout the Christmas period.
"We want people to have the best possible time this year, after the restrictions that limited what we could do last Christmas.
"But we also want people to go that extra mile and make sure they are able to celebrate as safely as possible, particularly as there were nearly 1,400 new cases of Covid-19 in Wolverhampton in the last week alone.
"There are some simple steps that you can take to help. If you are due your Covid-19 booster, your second jab or you haven't yet had your first, please get it as soon as possible, as this will give you the best possible protection this winter.
"If you are meeting up with others, please take a rapid Covid-19 test before doing so, to reassure yourself and others that you don't have the virus.
"Continue to follow the guidance around wearing face coverings in crowded indoor places and other spaces, and don't feel embarrassed to practice social distancing where you can, because we know this is a particularly effective way to stop the spread of Covid-19.
"If you do all this, you should be able to enjoy a very merry – and safe – Christmas with your nearest and dearest this year."
Children aged 12 and over and all adults are eligible to receive a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Second doses are available for 12 to 17 year olds 12 weeks after their first dose, and adults 8 weeks after their first. Adults who had their second dose 3 months ago are eligible for their booster.
For a full list of local vaccination centres, many offering walk in appointments, please visit NHS. To book an appointment in advance, visit Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or call 119.
For information about rapid testing, for people without symptoms of Covid-19, please visit Coronavirus Testing. People with symptoms of Covid-19 must book a free PCR test by calling 119 or visiting GOV.UK.
Face coverings are required by law in most indoor settings, including shops, banks, post offices, hairdressers, theatres and cinemas, places of worship and on public transport, unless individuals are exempt.
Meanwhile, NHS Covid passes are required for visitors aged 18 and over attending nightclubs and certain large scale events. For details of how to get the NHS Covid Pass, visit NHS COVID Pass.
For the latest Government guidance, please visit GOV.UK.
Latest figures show there were 529.1 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last 7 days. That means 1,392 people tested positive for the virus in that same period – though the true number of cases will likely be higher.
