YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE

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
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