Residents are being urged to follow lockdown rules following a spike in the number of positive coronavirus cases in Dudley borough because of increased testing.

Testing in the borough has shot up by 38 per cent following a plea from council leaders after two new test sites opened in Dudley and Lye. And the increase in testing is being cited as one of the reasons the positive cases in the borough has risen and is now 395 per 100,000.

For many months Dudley has had one of the lowest rates in the West Midlands, which helped keep Dudley in Tier One for longer but the figures in Dudley borough are now on a par with elsewhere across the Black Country and wider West Midlands area.

Council chiefs today thanked the public for responding to the plea for more people to get tested and are now urging people to continue adhering to the lockdown rules. Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:

“The way the vast majority of people have responded to important advice and guidance is nothing short of incredible. I am extremely proud that we have all worked together to play our part in tackling this virus which is why we remained in Tier One for so long.

“However, whilst we welcomed having fewer restrictions by being in Tier One we do now need people across the borough to understand that our cases are very much on a par with our West Midlands neighbours.

”I know these continue to be unprecedented times but I urge people to continue following the latest advice and lockdown rules to the letter. By following the rules, we stand a much better chance of keeping our rates down and saving lives.

“As a local authority we will continue to do all we can to support residents and businesses, but we need you all to play a part in that. The message is simple, stay at home and follow the government advice.”

At the end of October the council helped set up two walk-in testing sites at Flood St car park, Dudley, and Jackson St car park, Lye. There is also a drive-through testing site at Waterfront, Brierley Hill. All testing must be pre-booked online or by calling 119.

To find out how council services are affected by the pandemic visit dudley.gov.uk.