Written by Harry Leach, for the Bromsgrove Standard. You can read the full article at: https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/bromsgrove-mp-and-council-leader-…
BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid and council leader Karen May are urging residents to control the spread of Covid-19 as rates in the district continue to soar.
The infection rate in the town has increased to 174 per 100,000 people from 128 on October 15, when Mr Javid last issued a video plea.
It is by far the highest rate in Worcestershire, as fears grow over the possibility of the county being plunged into the Government’s Tier 2 category.
If that were to happen, households would not be able to mix indoors including inside homes, leisure or hospitality venues.
But they would be able to mix outside, including in parks and private gardens provided they do not gather in groups of more than six.
Neighbouring Birmingham’s rate is currently 226. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street warned this week that further restrictions were looking increasingly likely.
When asked why infection rates in the town are on the up, Coun Karen May said: “Our population moves out of this district to do business everyday.
“Our great night time economy also leads to people coming into Bromsgrove but unfortunately, at this time, we could do with them sticking to their own county, town or city boundaries.
“What’s alarming is that we have a high rate of over 60s in this town and we know that people over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions are more at risk.
“We need to protect those people by adopting the rules of social distancing.”
Mr Javid said he could spend all day dissecting why the infection rate in Bromsgrove is higher than other parts of the county, but that what’s important is stopping the spread of the virus.
“Our numbers are lower than other parts of the country at this moment but we want to see them get lower and lower.
“That’s why face coverings, social distancing and washing hands is so important.
“No one wants to see us move to the next level of restrictions.”
Mr Javid added that collectively he believes residents in the town ‘can do more’.
