THE government was reportedly holding high level meetings over a potential lockdown for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands today.

But Worcester and our county are not likely to be affected despite seeing a small rise in cases.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was understood to be chairing the senior talks that could lead to a regionalised lockdown, with reports Birmingham City Council and Public Health England representatives will also be in attendance.

If a lockdown is imposed it is unclear what it would mean for county residents, for example, commuting to Birmingham to work.

However Leicester did allow this after a local lockdown was imposed there.

The potential lockdown for the second city came after it saw a jump to 30 cases per 100,000 following 330 new cases in a week, leading to it being on a national “watch list”.

Blackburn with Darwen entered its local lockdown when cases reached 69 per 100,000.

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In the latest figures for our county, published yesterday, Worcestershire saw mostly small rises with Worcester now at 5.9, up from 3.0, and Malvern Hills at 3.8, up from 1.3.

The area causing most concern will be Bromsgrove that has seen a spike up to 12, having previously been on 5.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, the county's director of public health, has previously said they monitor local rates but small number of new cases can cause what appears a big rise in the rate.

Dr Cobain explained: “Worcestershire County Council public health teams, work with Public Health England to closely monitor the local cases, rates and trends of Covid-19.

"In a district, even a small number of new cases will create a significant change in the rate.

"This by itself, is not an indicator of a worsening situation."