With many Muslims across Wolverhampton celebrating Eid al Adha this week, they’re reminded that although restrictions have been lifted, Covid is not over.
With infection rates rising in Wolverhampton and many other parts of the country, the City of Wolverhampton Council is recommending that people still take precautions to continue to protect themselves and others around them.
Eid al Adha is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice and celebrations include gatherings with family and friends to exchange gifts and enjoy festive food.
This year, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, is appealing to residents to continue to take care when meeting up with people from outside their households.
Councillor Jaspal said: “I want to wish everyone Eid Mubarak. This is a time when families and communities would traditionally get together to celebrate. Last year this wasn’t possible, but this year things are still not back to normal. Covid is not over.
“If you’re meeting up with people you don’t live with, please take care to protect yourself and other people. You should meet up outdoors if you can or ensure good ventilation if this isn’t possible.
“Please take particular care around elderly or clinically vulnerable people to protect them, as one in three people who may have Covid-19 do not have symptoms but could still pass it on. It’s also a good idea to take a free rapid test before you meet up, so you can be sure that you are not going to pass the virus on.”
Latest figures show there were 445 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last seven days. That means 1,170 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that same period – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.
