DUDLEY has the lowest rate of Covid-19 infections in the Black Country as the number of positive tests fell below 200 per 100,000 this week.

The latest council data published shows the numbers of cases fell by 22 per cent in the last seven days.

The rate of infection now stands at 184 per 100,000 after 594 people tested positive – down from 766 in the previous week.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “Dudley Council is working closely with our partners to support those who are affected by the pandemic and to inform people of the best ways to protect themselves and their families from Covid-19.

“The progress we are making in bringing down our infection rates in all areas reflect the collective efforts of our residents, businesses and organisations and I want to extend my personal gratitude to everyone in Dudley borough for the huge sacrifices they continue to make. 

“We are also seeing incredible progress with the vaccine rollout with many of our most vulnerable having already received their first injection.

“However, I must remind people that this is not a time for complacency and we need to continue to work together across all our communities. We must continue to follow the government’s stay at home orders to save lives and reduce the terrible strain faced by our NHS.”

 But despite numbers dropping in all areas of the borough the decline is patchy with Castle and Priory recording an infection rate of 403 compared to Kingswinford North and Wall Heath at 91.

Sandwell presently stands at 265 followed by Walsall at 228. Wolverhampton has fallen to 204 and Birmingham  is at 195 per 100,000.