Suspected Covid sufferers urged to get tested

The CMDU also offers an intravenous infusion service, which is unique, if oral antiviral treatment is not appropriate

People who think they may have Covid-19 are being urged to get tested and have treatment to avoid being admitted into hospital.

Those in the highest-risk categories have been reminded by NHS bosses that they are entitled to free lateral flow tests.

“Covid-19 has not gone away – it’s still well and truly with us. People are still dying from it and being admitted to hospital," warned Julie Painter, a senior nurse.

It comes as the Black Country Covid Medicines Delivery Service (known as CMDU) celebrates its first anniversary.

Those at high risk can pick up a free Covid-test from local community pharmacies signed up to the CMDU service

More than 20,000 people across Wolverhampton alone have been identified as being eligible by the CMDU team.

Minority ethnic groups are over-represented in that number - around 42% are from the top 10 groups other than white British, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its guidance to add a new group of patients eligible for tests and antiviral treatment if they test positive for the virus.

These include people:

• Aged 85 or over

• With end-stage heart failure who have a long-term ventricular assistance device

• On the organ transplant waiting list

• Aged 70 years and over, or who have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or more, diabetes or heart failure, and:

• are resident in a care home, or

• are already hospitalised.