A bit later than usual with my update this week, but with the situation changing so fast at the moment I was keen for us to get the updated figures today. 
 
The rates of infection have increased across the district and unfortunately an outbreak amongst inpatients and staff in Warwick Hospital a couple of weeks ago did have an impact on capacity, but it appears that this situation is now improving which is very welcome news.
 
Figures released this morning show that for the SDC area the seven day rate/100,000 has increased from 101.5 to 119.9/100,000 and the over 60’s day rate is up from 72 to 81.5/100,000 (with 34 cases over the last seven days - 30 last week), which when compared to other districts in Warwickshire for all ages is Nuneaton & Bedworth 194.8/100,000, North Warwickshire 136.4/100,000, Warwick 212.9/100,000 and Rugby 266.2/100,000.  Encouragingly the figures in North Warwickshire have decreased from 157.8/100,000.
 
The situation regarding the open SWFT Hospital Beds has increased with 72 (42) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2 (2) patients in ICU (last week’s figures in brackets).  However, the capacity has increased slightly to 10% from 6% the previous week which highlights a key factor why we remained in Tier 3 following the review.
 
The cumulative deaths across Stratford District from the start of this second wave (28th August 2020) have sadly increased by a further two to 22, with 10 occurring in care homes, 10 in hospital and two at home, out of a total of 336 all cause deaths in the district for this new second wave period.
 
The cumulative total of deaths across Warwickshire for Wave 2 has now tragically jumped to 119 from 88 last week for a total of 1542 all cause deaths.  The cumulative total of Covid-19 deaths in Stratford district is 190 since the start of the pandemic and in Warwickshire 719; over the same period there have been 5165 non Covid-19 related deaths in Warwickshire.
 
Locally led testing for people without coronavirus symptoms is now rolling out across Warwickshire with the aim of protecting those most at risk, using rapid testing to speed up the process.  A new hub is being launched in Leamington Spa this week and we are awaiting details of a site in Stratford-upon-Avon.
 
Whilst excellent progress is being made on the roll out of the vaccine, it’s important to remember that the vaccine will not start to have any real impact until Easter.
 
Further information is awaited from the scientists, but it is looking very likely that we will continue to face further lockdowns in the New Year – albeit there is little difference between being in Tier 3 and a full lockdown, but one thing is for sure we must take responsibility for our own decisions on Christmas Day with the new restrictions and think carefully about whom we see and mix with.  Most people I have spoken to are doing the right thing in terms of protecting their elderly loved ones by either currently self-isolating or sadly postponing any family gatherings until safer times.
 
My special thoughts go out to all our hard-hit hospitality businesses and everyone who finds themselves on their own this Christmas and unable to meet up with family members due to the new restrictions. 
 
Thank you to everyone for all your support, but most important of all please keep safe and may I take this opportunity to extend seasonal greetings at this very challenging and difficult time. Please keep safe and take care.
 
Kind regards
 
Anne
 
Anne Parry
County Councillor for Wellesbourne Division
SDC Ward Member for Wellesbourne East
SDC Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services
edit.

Well it’s Friday and now on countdown to 16th December to find out if we will be moving down to Tier 2.  It’s been another incredibly busy week, particularly on the council front wearing both district and council hats.

The vaccine rollout seems to be working well and it was just great to see that as a region the World first happened with the Covid jabs from Coventry’s University Hospital going to Margaret Keenan and a William Shakespeare.

Figures released this morning shows that for the SDC area the seven day rate/100,000 is now down to 52.3/100,000 and the over 60’s day rate is currently 41/100,000 with 17 cases over the last seven days which is all encouraging and particularly when compared to other districts in Warwickshire which are for all ages Nuneaton & Bedworth 183/100,000, North Warwickshire 124/100,000, Rugby 106/100,000 and Warwick 124/100,000.

The situation regarding the open SWFT Hospital Beds has seen a slight increase of Covid inpatients with 42 (31) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two (5) patients in ICU (last week’s figures in brackets).  

The cumulative deaths across Stratford District from the start of this second wave (28th August 2020) have sadly increased by a further two to 20, with 10 occurring in care homes, nine in hospital and one at home, out of a total of 307 all cause deaths in the district for this new second wave period.

The cumulative total of deaths across Warwickshire for Wave 2 has now tragically jumped to 88 from 42 last week for a total of 1408 all cause deaths.  The cumulative total of Covid-19 deaths in Stratford district is 188 since the start of the pandemic and in Warwickshire 688; over the same period there have been 5059 non Covid-19 related deaths in Warwickshire.

As you may know, Stratford District Council is exerting as much pressure as possible on the Government to reduce the tiering and put Stratford on Avon District in line with those in at least Tier 2 and Cllr Tony Jefferson the Leader of SDC has again written to Secretary of State Matt Hancock today requesting that the district be made a special case in a bid to help our hospitality businesses which have been forced to close their doors.  Tourism and hospitality accounts for 40% of our economy and we are seriously worried that many may not survive or reopen their doors until February, even if we are downgraded to Tier 2.  Please continue to support the local businesses with take-aways.

And in order to avoid further potential lockdowns in the New Year we must all wear our common sense hats in planning Christmas gatherings.  In talking to many residents this week there are certainly lots of people thinking very carefully about doing the right thing in terms of protecting more elderly loved ones by just staying put and not venturing out or putting themselves into self isolation for the next couple of weeks in order to be able to visit parents and grandparents.

It’s also important to remember that the vaccine will not start to have any real impact until Easter and as a participant on the Oxford Astra Zeneca Trials I’m really hoping they get the green light from the regulatory authority next week. 

Take care and keep safe as we are all in this together.
Anne
Anne Parry
County Councillor for Wellesbourne Division
SDC Ward Member for Wellesbourne East
SDC Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services

Well we are out of Lockdown2 – not that it feels much different being in Tier 3 – and on countdown to Christmas following another rather busy week.
 
On a positive note have been on a Zoom meeting with Nadhim Zahawi MP this evening the new Minister for Vaccines who advised they planned to vaccinate up to 2 million people before the end of the year, which would be amazing.
 
Figures released this morning shows that for the SDC area the seven day rate/100,000 is now down to 66.9/100,000 and the over 60’s day rate is currently 62.4/100,000 with 26 cases over the last seven days across the district. However this really does highlight the importance of looking after one’s parents and grandparents and also provides evidence that we need to be in a lower tier to protect and support our local businesses.
 
The situation regarding the open 366 SWFT Hospital Beds has seen a slight increase of Covid inpatients with 31 (24) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and five (5) patients in ICU (last week’s figures in brackets).  There are 52% of SWFT hospital beds occupied by Non-COVID-19 patients which demonstrates that other procedures and treatments are continuing however there are 8% beds occupied with confirmed COVID-19 patients and 23% beds occupied with suspected COVID-19 patients and a spare capacity of 16% beds. 
 
The cumulative deaths across Stratford District from the start of this second wave (28th August 2020) has sadly increased by a further three to 18, with 10 occurring in care homes, seven in hospital and one at home, out of a total of 285 all cause deaths in the district for this new second wave period.
 
The cumulative total of deaths across Warwickshire for Wave 2 is now 42 from a total of 1290 all cause deaths.  The cumulative total of Covid-19 deaths in Stratford district is 186 since the start of the pandemic and in Warwickshire 642; over the same period there have been 4978 non Covid-19 related deaths in Warwickshire and 1306 non Covid-19 deaths in Stratford on Avon District.
 
One thing is really important and that is we must keep up our momentum for doing the right thing in terms of protecting ourselves and others, so that we can hopefully come out of Tier 3 by 16th December or before if possible.  As you may know, Stratford District Council are exerting as much pressure as possible on the Government to reduce the tiering and put Stratford on Avon District in line with those in either Tier 1 or 2.
 
Take care and keep safe and lets keep working together to keep control of the virus. Have a good weekend.
 
Anne
 
Anne Parry
County Councillor for Wellesbourne Division
SDC Ward Member for Wellesbourne East
SDC Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services