Covid One Year On: Sandwell health boss reflects on tackling pandemic
It's been one year since the first patient tested positive in the region
Last updated 5th Mar 2021
Last March, the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Sandwell.
At the time, their Director of Public Health Lisa McNally said:
“I’d like to reassure people that we are working with health partners at a regional and national level to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Sandwell are protected.
“It’s really important that everyone follows the latest guidance announced on Thursday about staying at home if you show even the slightest symptoms of coronavirus. For most people who get coronavirus, it will be a mild infection, but we all have a role to play in protecting the most vulnerable people in society.
“Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly using soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time and, if you cough, to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and dispose of it immediately.”
12 months on, our Chief Reporter Megan Jones has speaking to Lisa:
When did you first hear about coronavirus?
It was early January when I first started to sit up and think that this could be coming to us and it could be big.
What do you remember about the first case?
I remember getting a call about the first case that coronavirus had landed in Sandwell.
It was a sharp intake of breath and we had to prepare ourselves.
We'd been very busy putting plans in place and systems in place, looking at the evidence.
It was the first death I remember more clearly.
I remember the first phone call and those details more clearly.
What's been the biggest challenge?
It's been incredibly upsetting to see people dying in care homes across the country and in hospitals.
It became very real, very quickly.
What happened after the first case?
We'd been through the first wave, it had left it's mark on us.
We knew as public health officials that there would be a second wave, and it was going to be a case of 'when' instead of 'if'.
We took the decision to train up as many staff as we could, because we knew a second wave was coming.
We made a decision to use the Summer as wisely as we could.
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