THERE has been a "rapid rise" in Covid-19 cases in Sandwell - leading to an urgent alert for people to be on their guard.

Sandwell Council put out an alert last night (Saturday July 18) to people across the borough to stringently adhere to all Covid-19 prevention guidance, after the rise.

Data sent to the council showed another 20 positive cases across Sandwell - 11 of them in Smethwick.

Director of Public Health Dr Lisa McNally said: “The risk of infection in Sandwell, and especially Smethwick, is clearly increasing rapidly.

“Smethwick has now seen 35 cases in just over a week – that is more than 10 times the rate we were seeing only a few weeks ago and people really do need to take this very seriously.

“I would urge everyone to redouble their efforts to follow safety guidance, do not think the virus has gone – it most certainly has not.

"Talk to family, friends and colleagues and make sure they understand how critical this is.”

Dr McNally said it is vitally important that people stringently follow COVID-19 advice.

This includes: Stay home and self-isolate if you have a cough, high temperature or change in sense of taste or smell.

If you have symptoms people in your household should also self-isolate at home

Do whatever is possible to isolate symptomatic people in the household from non-symptomatic people

Even if you do not have symptoms, people should stay home as much as possible, and certainly avoid any crowds.

If you have to go out, maintain a distance of at least 1 metre (preferably 2 metres) from other people and wear a face covering.

Managers of shops, businesses, faith settings and any other place where people gather should stringently adhere to all Covid-19 prevention guidance.

Managers of businesses or community settings can get advice on preventing Covid-19 by emailing PHCovid19_Enquiries@sandwell.gov.uk

Visit www.nhs.uk for more information.

You can book a test via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call 119.