A Covid-19 outbreak at an asylum seekers' hostel in Birmingham has seen a whopping 56 staff and residents test positive for coronavirus.
The Serco-run Stone Road Asylum Centre, in Edgbaston, is closed until further notice, Birmingham City Council said.
Residents who tested positive for the virus were moved to alternative accommodation where they can safely self-isolate and socially distance.
City Council leader Ian Ward said the hostel was one of only three sites in Birmingham given a direction order, which compels 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.
Speaking during a weekly Covid-19 update on Friday, Mr Ward said: "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.
"Contact-tracing is now also under way and is being carried out in the relevant languages of affected residents."
