YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE

Happy New Year everyone and I hope you have all had the best possible Christmas break in view of all the restrictions. I thought it would be helpful to provide an update on the cases situation since last providing an update on 21 December – ie two weeks ago.
 
As expected the rates of infection have increased significantly since my last update and figures released this morning show that for the SDC area the seven day rate/100,000 is now 237.5/100,000 and the over 60’s day rate is 167.9/100,000 (with 70 cases over the last seven days), which when compared to other districts in Warwickshire for all ages is Nuneaton & Bedworth 369.6/100,000, North Warwickshire 289.6/100,000, Warwick 284/5/100,000 and Rugby 370.9/100,000. 
 
The situation regarding SWFT Hospital Beds has increased with 79 (72) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5 (2) patients in ICU (figures in brackets are from 21 Dec).  However, the capacity has decreased slightly to 9% from 10% on 21 December which also reflects the reduction of ‘open’ beds which is currently 286.  Back in early November the number of ‘open’ beds were 424.
 
The cumulative deaths across Stratford District from the start of this second wave (28th August 2020) have sadly increased by a further twelve over the last two weeks to 34, with 11 occurring in care homes, 20 in hospital and three at home, out of a total of 405 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 173 from 119 two weeks ago for a total of 1822 all cause deaths.  The cumulative total of Covid-19 deaths in Stratford district is 202 since the start of the pandemic and in Warwickshire 773; over the same period there have been 5397 non Covid-19 related deaths in Warwickshire.
 
Locally led testing for people without coronavirus symptoms is rolling out across Warwickshire with the aim of protecting those most at risk, using rapid testing to speed up the process.  A new hub was launched in Leamington Spa before Christmas and we are awaiting details of a site in Stratford-upon-Avon.
 
The good news is that Warwickshire NHS Trusts are amongst the first to receive the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine today which will complement the roll out of the Pfizer vaccine which commenced over three weeks ago from hospital sites.  This means the roll out of the OxfordAZ vaccine is also starting this week into GP practices and Care Homes. 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.
 
Thank you to everyone for all your support, but most important of all please keep safe and take care.
 
Anne
Anne Parry
County Councillor for Wellesbourne Division
SDC Ward Member for Wellesbourne East
SDC Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services