Coronavirus (Covid-19) latest information

Last reviewed: Thursday 20 January at 4:00pm

Keep doing the right thing for Solihull

The Government has announced that the measures put in place under plan B in England will be lifted and the country will now revert back to Plan A of the COVID-19 Autumn/Winter Plan.  

The overall national communications approach continues to be to help the public recognise risk and protect themselves from COVID-19, enabling people to continue their normal lives as much as possible.

In summary, the measures announced are:

  • From Thursday 27 January, you will not be required to wear a face covering, including in communal areas of schools, but you should continue to wear one in crowded and indoor spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
  • Venues and events will no longer be required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID Pass. The NHS COVID Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis.
  • From Thursday 20 January, staff and pupils in secondary schools and colleges are no longer required to wear a face covering in classrooms.
  • From Wednesday 19 January, you are no longer asked to work from home if you can. You are advised to talk to your employer to agree arrangements to return to your workplace.
  • From Monday 17 January, 16 and 17 year olds can now book a booster dose online. Parents and guardians of people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 between 12 to 15 years old, or those living with people at higher risk, will also be contacted to book a booster.
  • You can stop self-isolating at the start of day 6 if you get 2 negative rapid lateral flow test results on days 5 and 6 and do not have a temperature. If either test is positive, wait until the next day before testing again

You should continue to follow safer behaviours to protect yourself and others:

  • Get vaccinated and get your booster dose
  • Wear a face covering in most indoor public places and on public transport
  • Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
  • Get tested and self-isolate if required

The Council’s Local Outbreak Management Board, will be reviewing the local plans to ensure our response continues to reflect the changing local and national risk. The full details of the new guidelines can be found here.

COVID-19 the current state:

1,023 cases per 100,000 people in the latest week 7 - 13 Jan.

Our COVID-19 summary shows the total number of Solihull residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and gives a breakdown of cases by ward.

It also give other relevant information including about the number of cases in schools in the last 14 days and the number of patients in hospital.

For the latest COVID-19 updates:

Updates

There are a number of walk-in vaccine clinics happening across Birmingham and Solihull where no appointment is needed. To find out where please visit:

https://www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/walk-in/ 

Or if you prefer you can book and then manage your COVID vaccination appointments using this link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Alternatively, you can call 119.

Social care providers

If you are a provider of social care services in Solihull and want to talk to the Council about the vaccination arrangements for your eligible social care staff please contact us via our dedicated email covidvaccine@solihull.gov.uk 

For the latest information on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine in Solihull and Birmingham please visit the local NHS vaccine website here.

The website includes information about vaccination centres and what to expect at the appointment as well as frequently asked questions about the vaccine.

The British Society for Immunology has launched a free, easy to read guide to vaccinations for Covid-19 for the public and healthcare workers. The guide explains how vaccines work and answers common questions as well as providing up-to-date information on the current approved Covid-19 vaccinations in the UK. Content highlights include:

  • What are Covid-19 vaccines made of?
  • Do I need two doses of the vaccine?
  • After Covid-19 vaccination, can I still pass the SARS-CoV-2 virus on to others?
  • Specific information about Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccines

You can book a rapid COVID test by visiting our COVID-19 test page. Please note these tests are for people who DO NOT have symptoms. 

For some people, coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or "long COVID".

We spoke to residents of the West Midlands about their experiences with COVID-19 and the long-term effects on their health.

Andrew:

Shannon:

Read more about long COVID on the NHS website.

The CSW COVID Business Pledge has been launched to reassure staff and customers that businesses and venues are operating in a COVID secure manner, and following best practice.

The Pledge is entirely voluntary, but by signing up to the Pledge, you are making a positive statement that you are following the relevant guidelines and are putting in place measures to ensure your premises are COVID-secure to safeguard the health and wellbeing of your employees and visitors alike

As we move through each stage of the government roadmap and restrictions ease, businesses and those responsible for buildings are reminded of their maintenance responsibilities prior to reopening. This document summarises some of the key guidance.

Information below is for both new and established businesses within Solihull including - how food businesses can continue operating safely as many businesses have diversified or had to close rapidly, how to make your work or workplace COVID secure and how to safely manage water systems during the pandemic.

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health - guides on safe shopping, takeaway & delivery, hand washing, Legionnaire’s, mental health and reopening salons and spas after lockdown.

Food Standards Agency – changing your business model, starting a food business from home, re-opening your food business etc.

Government Guidance - Latest guidance on working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – An overview on things to do to make your work or workplace COVID secure including an example of a Covid risk assessment and template.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) -  Latest information and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive for keeping workplaces safe, as coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions are eased.

Public Health England (PHE) - Maintaining safe water systems. For all organisations that rely on a safe water supply to undertake their business activities, particularly when re-opening after a COVID-19 lockdown. 

CSW COVID Business Pledge

The CSW COVID Business Pledge has been launched to reassure staff and customers that businesses and venues are operating in a COVID secure manner, and following best practice.

The Pledge is entirely voluntary, but by signing up to the Pledge, you are making a positive statement that you are following the relevant guidelines and are putting in place measures to ensure your premises are COVID-secure to safeguard the health and wellbeing of your employees and visitors alike.

Germ Defence is a scientifically tested digital intervention created by the University of Southampton that has already proved to be effective at reducing the spread of cold and flu viruses. The coronavirus is caught in the same way as these other viruses, which means that the methods explained in this website can also protect people from COVID-19.

‘Germ Defence’ includes guidance and techniques for handwashing, social distancing, wearing masks, as well as advice on how to look after family and friends who are ill, but still protect yourself.

It has been demonstrated that people who used the Germ Defence advice caught less colds and flu, and recovered more quickly from these ailments. This reduction in illness also extended to the people who lived with them, leading to a lower demand for consultations with their doctors. 

Germ Defence is a free-to-access website, available at germdefence.org

Solihull’s Local Outbreak Management Plan is the key road map that describes how the Council will combine the gradual reopening of the economy and society alongside the roll out of vaccination, with an on-going, ‘business as usual’, approach to managing and living with COVID.