John Denley, Director of Public Health, said: "We are aware that the King's College London Covid-19 Symptom Study suggests there may be an increase in Covid-19 cases in Wolverhampton.
"This particular study makes use of a limited range of available datasets and as such it is not a locally or nationally agreed mechanism for predicting coronavirus trends.
"We are able to access a much broader range of datasets related to coronavirus activity, and this suggests that cases of Covid-19 in Wolverhampton have remained low and stable over the last month.
"Over the last 7 days our total positive case detection rate has been 9 per 100,000 of our population. This is the 48th highest in the country, and much lower than the rate seen in Leicester which was 147 cases per 100,000 people over the same period. As such, we don’t envisage there being a need for a lockdown as has been the case in Leicester at this time – so long as we continue to keep the infection rate low.
"We also collect symptom tracking data from our care homes and schools, which is not widely available, and we are pleased to say that we are not seeing any signs of an increase in symptom reporting in these sectors. We will continue to use a range of data sources to review coronavirus activity in the city as part of our Covid-19 Outbreak Control Plan which aims to reduce the spread of coronavirus and help people safely return to normal life.
"As we gradually reopen the city, including our leisure and hospitality industry, it is vital that we all stay alert. Avoiding a local lockdown and keeping our local rates of cases low depends on all of us doing our part and continuing to follow the Government's social distancing guidelines.
"In the meantime we continue to urge people to book a test as soon as they show symptoms - testing is available locally via drive through centres, walk up appointments and home testing - and to follow instructions from NHS Test and Trace if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus."
Everyone must continue to:
- stay at home as much as possible
- keep a safe distance of 2 metres (or 1 metre+ if that is not possible) from anyone that is not from your household when you are out
- wear a face covering on public transport, and in other places where social distancing is not possible
- limit the number of people you come into contact with
- wash your hands regularly with soap for 20 seconds
Anyone, irrespective of age, should be tested if they have symptoms of Covid-19, including a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. For more information, and to apply for a test, please go to GOV.UK. If you do not have access to the internet, please call 119. All appointments must be booked in advance.
Anyone in Wolverhampton who tests positive for Covid-19 will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to isolate and share information about people that have been close contacts recently.
