​YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE

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