Some more positive news this week, which is encouraging, but of course we must all be aware of not getting complacent.
 
The number of cases appear to be levelling and down slightly to 68/100,000 from 75 last week, but the over 60’s rate has continued to fall to 17/100,000 (34 last week) with just 7 cases over the last seven days – which when compared to other districts in Warwickshire for all ages is Nuneaton & Bedworth 55/100,000, North Warwickshire 74/100,000, Warwick 43/100,000 and Rugby 105/100,000.  Most of the cases are coming from schools and young adults.
 
Businesses and organisations are being encouraged to sign up for the free lateral flow testing kit service to test employees (without symptons) twice a week – click on to the following link  Register to order free rapid lateral flow coronavirus tests for your employees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) which is free if you register by 31 March.  The home testing service is still available to everyone with COVID-19 symptoms, and can still be accessed through the home testing online portal.
 
Continuing this positive note, the situation regarding SWFT Hospital Beds has also improved and there are now 4 (6) confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 2 (1) patients in ICU (figures in brackets are from 19 March).  Capacity levels have slightly increased with 83 unoccupied general and acute beds but the occupancy levels are now 77% which focuses on non-Covid patients for elective surgery etc.
 
Sadly, the cumulative deaths across Stratford District have increased again by two over the last week and now number 138 from the start of this second wave (28th August 2020) 37 occurring in care homes, 89 in hospital, one in a hospice and 10 at home and one in a communal establishment, out of a total of 847 all cause deaths in the district for this new second wave period. 
 
The cumulative total of deaths across Warwickshire for Wave 2 has now increased to 641 from 634 last week within a total of 3512 all cause deaths.  The cumulative total of Covid-19 deaths in Stratford district is 306 since the start of the pandemic and in Warwickshire 1241.
 
The locally led Lateral Flow Testing facility for people WITHOUT coronavirus symptoms in Stratford has now carried out 22,185 tests with 83 positive results.
 
Have a good weekend everyone and let’s just keep being positive and keep up the good work in protecting ourselves and other people.  Take care.
 
Kind regards
 
Anne
 
Anne Parry
County Councillor for Wellesbourne Division
SDC Ward Member for Wellesbourne East
SDC Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services

Another encouraging week but I hasten to stress our infection rates are at a similar level to what they were in September so we still have a way to go and with the schools having gone back this week and some restrictions being lifted at the end of the month, we still need to be vigilant and keep doing what we’ve been doing in terms of hands, face and space.
 
The figures over the last seven days are down to 45/100,000 from 68 last week, and the over 60’s rate has slightly decreased to 48/100,000 (53 last week) (with 20 cases over the last seven days) – which when compared to other districts in Warwickshire for all ages is Nuneaton & Bedworth 80/100,000, North Warwickshire 84/100,000, Warwick 58/100,000 and Rugby 77/100,000.  So Stratford and Warwick Districts still have the lowest case rates across the county. 
 
The situation regarding SWFT Hospital Beds continues to improve and is now 17 (22) confirmed cases of COVID-19 but there are 4 (2) patients in ICU (figures in brackets are from 5 March).  Capacity levels have decreased with 76 unoccupied general and acute beds as there has been an increase of non-Covid patients for elective surgery etc.
 
Sadly the cumulative deaths across Stratford District have increased by three over the last week and now number 133 from the start of this second wave (28th August 2020) 37 occurring in care homes, 87 in hospital, one in a hospice and seven at home and one in a communal establishment, out of a total of 797 all cause deaths in the district for this new second wave period.
 
The cumulative total of deaths across Warwickshire for Wave 2 has now increased to 620 from 599 last week within a total of 3314 all cause deaths.  The cumulative total of Covid-19 deaths in Stratford district is 301 since the start of the pandemic and in Warwickshire 1220.
 
The locally led Lateral Flow Testing facility for people WITHOUT coronavirus symptoms in Stratford has now carried out 18,556 tests with 65 positive results.  If you are returning to a busy workplace environment it is important to use this facility and get tested on a regular basis.
 
Have a good weekend everyone and let’s just keep doing what we have been doing and protect other people and particularly those more vulnerable of all ages.
to edit.

– 5th March 2021
 
I’m pleased to report we have a more encouraging update this week in respect of the rates of infection which is very welcome news.
 
The figures over the last seven days are down to 68/100,000 from 91 last week, but the over 60’s rate has slightly increased to 53/100,000 (50 last week) (with 22 cases over the last seven days) – which when compared to other districts in Warwickshire for all ages is Nuneaton & Bedworth 110/100,000, North Warwickshire 164/100,000, Warwick 77/100,000 and Rugby 113/100,000.  So Stratford and Warwick Districts still have the lowest case rates across the county. 
 
According to the government’s dashboard 10 new people had a confirmed positive test result across the Wellesbourne/Snitterfield Division over seven days ending 27 February (17 last week). which translates into 100/100,000, so is considerably higher than the district average. This highlights the importance of not getting complacent or relaxing on the social distancing measures.
 
The situation regarding SWFT Hospital Beds continues to improve and is now 22 (27) confirmed cases of COVID-19 but there are 2 (4) patients in ICU (figures in brackets are from 26 Feb).  Capacity levels have improved with 113 unoccupied general and acute beds.
 
Sadly the cumulative deaths across Stratford District have increased by seven over the last week and now number 130 from the start of this second wave (28th August 2020) 36 occurring in care homes, 85 in hospital (including all seven from last week), one in a hospice and seven at home and one in a communal establishment, out of a total of 766 all cause deaths in the district for this new second wave period.
 
The cumulative total of deaths across Warwickshire for Wave 2 has now increased to 599 from 571 last week within a total of 3191 all cause deaths.  The cumulative total of Covid-19 deaths in Stratford district is 298 since the start of the pandemic and in Warwickshire 1200.
 
The locally led Lateral Flow Testing facility for people without coronavirus symptoms in Stratford at has now carried out 16,728 tests with 60 positive results.
 
The messages coming out of Public Health Warwickshire remain focused on conforming to the lockdown restrictions in order to stay safe and protect everyone else, as with the schools scheduled to return on Monday it is essential that extreme vigilance and the wearing of face masks and not household mixing (unless you are in a support bubble) is continued throughout the lockdown.
 
More vaccinations amongst residents living in Stratford District have been carried out than any of the other districts and boroughs in Warwickshire with a total of 39159 vaccinations as of 4th March. This is a fantastic achievement by all the vaccination centres and our thanks are extended to everyone involved with the vaccine rollout including all the volunteers.
 
Have a good weekend everyone and let’s just keep doing what we have been doing and protect other people and particularly those more vulnerable of all ages