Three Sandwell areas where Covid is rising and five where they’re falling fastest

Coronavirus case numbers have finally fallen to levels last seen before the Omicron wave hit.

Across the country there were 320,341 positive cases in the week ending February 17, a 26% fall from the week before.

It is the lowest number since November 30 last year.

With cases falling, Stealth Omicron’ now accounts for more than half of cases in some parts of England.

The Omicron sub-variant, officially called BA.2, has been in the UK for some time - the first example was found on December 6, 2021.

But with case numbers growing in all regions of the UK, it is now on track to become the dominant strain.

According to samples analysed by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, in Sandwell, Stealth Omicron currently accounts for 20.5% of all of the samples analysed.

At a regional level, Northern Ireland had the highest coronavirus case rate in the week to February 17, at 975.4 cases per 100,000 residents.

This was followed by Scotland, with 789 cases per 100,000 residents.

The lowest case rate was in Wales, with 241.5 cases per 100,000 residents.

The figures include both positive PCR and lateral flow tests.

They also include people who have been reinfected with Covid-19 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but do not yet count reinfections in Scotland.

Not all neighbourhoods in Sandwell are seeing a drop in infection rates, but the majority are.

Three neighburhoods in the town have seen an increase in cases over the last week - you can see which ones below.

At neighbourhood level, Covid-19 case rates have been published for the week to February 17.

Here are the neighbourhoods in Sandwell which have seen the biggest rise and biggest fall in case rates in the past week.

Biggest rise

1. Rowley East

Rowley East has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 26.7% from 227.5 cases per 100,000 people to 288.2.

2. Tibbington

Tibbington has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 16.3% from 523.8 cases per 100,000 people to 609.3.

3. West Bromwich East & Kenrick Park

West Bromwich East & Kenrick Park has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 4.0% from 282.2 cases per 100,00 people to 293.5.

Biggest fall

1. Wednesbury South

Wednesbury South has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 66.7%, from 621.9 cases per 100,000 people to 207.3.

2. Whiteheath

Whiteheath has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 66.7% from 606.7 cases per 100,000 people to 202.2.

3. Friar Park

Friar Park has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 64.9% from 654.4 cases per 100,000 people to 229..

4. Smethwick North & West

Smethwick North & West has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 64.6% from 353.8 cases per 100,000 people to 125.3.

5. Wood Green & Old Park

Wood Green & Old Park has seenc ase rates of positive Covid cases rise by 63.8% from 537.3 cases per 100,000 people to 194.3.

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