Can anybody help me to unpick reasons as to why the figures for Birmingham and the West Midlands are so high?
I live in Birmingham and understand it's the second largest city, but Manchester, the third largest city 'only' has 224 cases by comparison.
- the West Midlands accounts for 21 per cent of deaths
- Birmingham has 984 cases, the highest number of cases outside London
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/04/coronavirus-uk-how-many-confirmed-cases-in-your-area
- The University hospitals Birmingham NHS foundation trust has recorded the third highest number of deaths of any trust in the country at 102 deaths.
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/coronavirus-hospitals-west-midlands-full-capacity-by-next-weekend
Apart from the size, my theories include
1) Crufts (50 countries including Italy flying to Birmingham Airport)
2) Cheltenham - up the road from Birmingham. 20k visitors, many travelling via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Airport?
3) Diamond Cruise - 150 infected passengers flown back to Birmingham Airport and not quarantined.