People in Sandwell are being urged to stay safe over bank holiday weekend

People in Sandwell are being urged to recognise the progress the community has made in reducing coronavirus rates as people meet up over the bank holiday weekend. 

In January, the borough had one of the highest Covid-19 rates in the country.

Since then surge testing has been increased across the borough after cases of the South African variant had been identified in March and April 2020.

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Health officials have applauded the community's resilience and progress and says the rate is now lower than 30 times what it was at the start of the year.

However, they are warning people to continue to be careful over the weekend as more people are expected to be meeting up with friends and family.

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The council is also reminding people to stay indoors if they have any symptoms and to take a test to prevent spreading the virus.

Read more:

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• What are the Covid-19 infection rates in the Midlands?