Coronavirus: Birmingham gets more support as the number of viral cases increases

Birmingham was added to the watch list as an “area of ​​enhanced support” as concerns over the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the city increased.

Birmingham will see more tests, and the Secretary of Health will meet with city leaders to discuss further steps.

The number of Covid-19 cases is increasing rapidly, with 31 cases per 100,000 last week. More than half of the cases from last week were people aged 18 to 34.

“It’s an alarm call for everyone,” said Ian Ward, leader of the Council of Birmingham.

“We are working with our partners to develop plans at the regional and governmental levels to ensure that we have the resources, such as additional testing needed to reduce infection rates,” he said.

Labor leaders said Congress would announce “as soon as possible” what this means for the people of the city.

“Even if the previous warning of continuing basic actions was inadequate, this should be a wake-up call for everyone,” he said.

“Wash your hands, put on a face cover as much as possible, and stay 2 meters from others to take a test for symptoms of Covid-19.”

One week after the statistics are displayed The infection rate has more than doubled..

When the measures were introduced, infection rates were below the levels in Leicester and parts of northern England.

How is the situation?

New cases of coronavirus in Birmingham have been increasing for weeks. Approximately 351 recorded for the week through August 16 were 256 last week and 144 last week.

And as a city of over one million people, last week it worked well with just under 31 people per 100,000.

The numbers are well below while the number of incidents is increasing Areas such as Northampton, The infection rate is 116.6 cases per 100,000 people, Oldham, the rate is 86.9.

The incidence across the UK was 12 per 100,000.

Birmingham has new cases in the top 20 of the 315 municipalities of England.

The Birmingham case breakdown shows 15 recorded in Handsworth South last week. Birchfield West, Rotton Park, and Bodesley each recorded more than 10 cases.

“Our hospital is relatively free of patients with this condition,” says Dr. Ron Daniels, an intensive care consultant in the West Midlands, despite the increase.

“There are few inpatients, let alone intensive care,” he said, “it is true that the tests at this time identify a young population that is less prone to serious illness. Yes,” he added.

What does it mean to be on the watchlist?

Every week, PHE publishes a list of areas of concern based on new coronavirus infection rates and other regional information.

These locations are categorized as either “areas of concern,” “areas of enhanced support,” or “areas of intervention,” with ranges of measurement ranging from enhanced testing to strict lockdown.

Some “interventions” in the country, such as Greater Manchester, had to impose restrictions different from those of other England, such as banning indoor conferences at home.

One issue going forward is the “area of ​​enhanced support.” The board of directors in this category will be given more resources, such as epidemiological experts and mobile test stations, but with no additional restrictions on the daily lives of people.

The lowest rungs are “areas of interest,” which include taking “targeted” actions to reduce spread, such as more testing in care homes and more communication with at-risk groups. I will.

• What if I’m in the Watchlist area?

“It’s a bit difficult to understand how these measures will take,” Dr. Tildesley said.

“Many interventions in northern England focused on households and restricted non-family members from entering the households, which is a terrible community outbreak within a larger family group. Because it is considered.”

What will happen?

The Birmingham City Council has already made some decisions in the last few days. Prohibition of non-essential visits to nursing homes When Virus test “drop and collect” trial Helps limit the number of cases that increase.

Authorities have also warned of blockade restrictions from “the dark day of spring… everything could happen again” unless the situation is under control.

Sandwell, adjacent to Birmingham, It was posted on the PHE watchlist as a “concern” in July..

Authorities do not close shops and restaurants, instead encourage people with shields to do so and urge residents not to enter into other people’s homes.

At its peak, Sandwell had an infection rate of 28.1 per 100,000. As of last week, it was still on the watch list, although its rate dropped to about 23 per 100,000, Recent outbreaks at the DPD depot in Oldbury..

What do people say?

On Thursday, council leader Ian Ward said the city was “at the crossroads”.

“If you don’t follow basic health advice, you’ll face more tragedy in a few weeks to months,” he said.

“More people will fall into serious illness, more deaths, and our economy will face new hammer blows.”

“We will be in a local blockade at some point between now and Christmas,” said Paulet Hamilton, a minister of health and social welfare at the agency this week.

West Midlands police join authorities to call on residents to follow guidelines A few weeks after shutting down hundreds of illegal gatherings.

“If there is a new case, we will undoubtedly face the possibility of returning to these limits,” Supt Gareth Morris said in a personal appeal.

“We all have to do what we can to avoid lockdown again.”

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