Warning of 'dire' situation in Sandwell as Covid deaths pass 100,000
A frontline NHS worker has attacked the government as the number of deaths across the country passed 100,000 this week, saying the situation is "dire".
Richard Jones, a paramedic and a Labour councillor for Old Warley, said hospitals were full with Covid patients – leaving queues of ambulances waiting hours to admit patients.
His comments came as councillors were warned it is a very dangerous time for the region.
Speaking at Tuesday’s full council, Councillor Jones said national figures showed 1,600 people had died in the last 24 hours. He said: “I think it’s appalling that the government has let it get to this stage with people’s lives.
“I did my shift yesterday as a paramedic and hospitals are full with Covid patients. We are waiting in ambulances outside up to four to five hours to to take the patients in to be treated.
“It is really, really dire out there at the moment."
Protection
He urged people – including those who have been vaccinated – to continue to observe social distancing and protect themselves and others.
His remarks came after councillors were updated on the impact of Covid in the borough.
Dr Lisa McNally, director of public health, told the meeting: “What we have at the moment is best described as very high case rates but falling slowly.
“We had over 3,000 cases between January 6 and 12 but the last full week’s data has reduced down to 2,610 and the very latest date shows a further decrease to 2,500 each week.”
She added that the new variant of the Covid virus in the West Midlands was very prevalent, accounting for 78.4 per cent of positive cases Sandwell.
Infection
Saying it was much more infectious, she warned there is some evidence of it having a higher death rate.
She added: “This is early days in terms of studies but we are seeing data reviewed by SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) which suggests that the new variant of the virus also has a higher case fatality rate associated with it.
“So we don’t know how much quite yet but the studies reviewed by SAGE suggest the increase in fatalities following infection by this virus is significant.
“But the message is very clear that this is a very dangerous time across the West Midlands and across Sandwell.”