An asylum seeker's hotel in Birmingham has temporarily closed after 56 staff and residents tested positive for coronavirus.
The Serco-run Stone Road Asylum Centre, in Edgbaston, was given a director order for the site to tighten Covid-19 protection measures.
Only two other notices have been issued in the city since the tougher measures were introduced last week, amid concerns over a rising infection rate.
The other sites were a restaurant in Moseley and a banqueting suite in the city’s north.
Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward told reporters on Friday: “Fifty-six is the latest number I have for residents at Stone Road Asylum Centre that have tested positive.
“The city council is now working very closely with Public Health England, the Home Office, the Home Office contractor Serco, and Urban Housing, a sub-contractor of Serco, to implement appropriate measures to ensure the safety of residents, staff and the wider community.
“Those residents who have tested positive at the facility have now been moved to alternative accommodation so they can safely self-isolate and socially distance and be better supported.
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“Contact-tracing is now also under way and is being carried out in the relevant languages of affected residents.”
It comes after council leaders and police officials urged Birmingham residents to pull together to tackle an "extremely concerning" rise in coronavirus cases and avoid a local lockdown.
Public Health England added the city to a watchlist as an "area for enhanced support" meaning additional resources are being provided to the local authorities.
Meanwhile Health Secretary Matt Hancock today announced the easing of coronavirus restrictions in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
Pools, gyms and sports facilities will be allowed to open from Tuesday in the remaining areas of Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford and Leicester.
And casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, exhibition halls, conference centres, and indoor play areas will be able to lawfully reopen from Tuesday throughout Greater Manchester – apart from Bolton, where these restrictions will remain in place – Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
Newark and Sherwood, Slough and Wakefield will be removed from “areas of concern”.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
