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11 Covid-19 deaths in a week in Cambridgeshire as infection grows among older age groups and county becomes Enhanced Response Area




Eleven Covid-related deaths have been recorded in Cambridgeshire in a week - and Cambridge Independent analysis has shown older age groups are now increasingly being affected by the very high infection rate in the county.

The government has accepted an application for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to become an Enhanced Response Area from November 1, for at least five weeks, amid concern among local political and health leaders.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have Enhanced Response Area status from November 1, 2021, for at least five weeks (52757968)
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have Enhanced Response Area status from November 1, 2021, for at least five weeks (52757968)

Below, we explore how every area of the county is affected, and look at hospitalisations and vaccinations.

There were 3,351 cases in the seven days to October 24 in the county, up 85 (2.6 per cent) on the previous week - and one of the highest weekly figures since the pandemic began.

The area’s director for public health, Jyoti Atri, supported by political leaders sought Enhanced Response Area status because of fears for the impact of the infection rate on healthcare, education and other services.

As reported, the new status will lead to additional measures such as accelerated vaccination for the 12-15 age group and accelerated booster jabs for those who were vaccinated six months or more ago. Schools will also be encouraged to make further moves to prevent transmission.

Of particular concern is the growing number of infections among older groups.

The Cambridge Independent’s analysis shows how over the last two full weeks the burden of infections has begun to shift. While younger age groups - particularly those aged 10-14 - are by far the most affected still, every age group from 20-24 up to 85-89, with the exception of 45-49, had a higher infection rate in the week to October 24 compared to the week of October 17. After the most commonly affected 10-14, 5-9 and 15-19 age groups, the ‘parent age’ groups were next, with hose aged 40-44 now almost as commonly affected as 15- to 19-year-olds as transmission spreads within families.

With Covid-19 typically affecting older, more vulnerable people much more seriously than younger people, efforts will step up to ensure booster vaccinations are delivered swiftly to those who had their jabs six months or more ago.

Meanwhile, community leaders encouraged the wider community to wear masks in enclosed spaces, to meet with people outdoors and to wash hands regularly. Regular testing is also encouraged and kits are now available from some libraries.

Walk-in vaccination sites are operating seven days a week for over-16s. and appointments for those aged 12-15 are now available at large-scale vaccination centres in the evenings and weekends.

Where those aged 12-15 can get a Covid jab in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (52616553)
Where those aged 12-15 can get a Covid jab in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (52616553)

Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, has now recorded:

  • 67,905 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
  • 1,775 in the five days from October 25-29 according daily case data, which is subject to change
  • 865 deaths by October 29 within 28 days of a positive test, including three on October 25, two on October 24, three on October 23, one on October 21 and two on October 19
  • 1,039 deaths, as of October 15, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.

Hospitalisations

Addenbrooke’s admitted 10 patients to its Covid wards on October 23 - the highest number in a day since February 26.

It had 36 patients on its wards on October 26, including eight on ventilation.

Internal figures seen by the Cambridge Independent on Friday (October 29) showed the number of Covid patients had risen to 42 by then.

The Royal Papworth Hospital had nine Covid patients on Tuesday, including seven on ventilation.

The 102 admissions to hospitals across the East of England on October 27 was the highest daily number since February - a notable sign of the impact of rising infection levels in the region.

Vaccinations

Some 522,304 people (77.6 per cent) in Cambridgeshire aged 12 and over have had their first Covid vaccination, with a further 483,508 having had two (71.8 per cent).

There remains concern, however, that the vaccine uptake is much lower in Cambridge.

Official figures show 107,846 people the city - officially estimated at 63.5 per cent of the population - have had one dose and 97,262 - just 57.3 per cent - have had two, although the percentages may be something of an underestimate due to uncertainty over Cambridge’s true population number.

As of October 27, less than a quarter (24.2 per cent) of those aged 12-15 in Cambridgeshire have had their Covid-19 vaccination. The school roll-out of jabs is due to be accelerated now that Enhanced Response Area status has been agreed, but children in this age group can now get their jab at many large-scale vaccination centres in the evenings and at weekends. You can find a full list here.

More than two-thirds (67.4 per cent) of 16 and 17-year-olds have had a jab across the county.

Cambridge

Cambridge continues to have a lower infection rate than the rest of the county, but it did witness a rise in Covid-19 case numbers in the week to October 24.

There were 428 recorded, up 61 (16.6 per cent) on the previous seven days.

This took the infection rate to 342.2 cases per 100,000, which was below the national average of 465.7.

Several areas saw rises, but the most notable was in Trumpington, where cases numbers jumped from 38 to 60, while in Petersfield, the numbers rose from nine to 20.

Cambridge has recorded:

  • 12,406 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
  • 212 in the five days from October 25-29, according daily case data, which is subject to change
  • 101 deaths by October 29 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which were on October 16 and 9
  • 144 deaths, as of October 15, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.

South Cambridgeshire

The Covid infection rate remains high in South Cambridgeshire, with 823 cases in the week to October 24, down just 11 (1.3 per cent) on the previous week.

The infection rate of 511.5 cases per 100,000 is above the national average.

In Cambourne, where the village college has been awaiting a visit from the vaccination service, there were 87 cases, down slightly on the 96 the previous week.

Papworth, Caxton & Fen Drayton had 73, down one on the previous week, while Longstanton, Swavesey and Oakington had 65, up from 55, and Sawson had 62, down from 68.

South Cambridgeshire recorded

  • 15,117 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
  • 491 cases in the five days from October 25-29, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
  • 170 deaths by October 29 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on October 24
  • 217 deaths, as of October 15, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

East Cambridgeshire

Covid cases rose by a fifth in a week in East Cambridgeshire.

There were 580 confirmed cases in the week to October 24, up 104 (21.8 per cent) on the previous seven days. This took the infection rate to 643.2 cases per 100,000 - the highest in Cambridgeshire.

The spiralling rate reflected in particular a high case rate in Soham, where the number of infections leapt from 50 to 105 in a week. North Ely, with 97 cases, and Littleport, with 88, also had particularly high figures.

East Cambridgeshire has recorded:

  • 8,498 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
  • 327 cases in the five days from October 25-29, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
  • 93 deaths by October 29 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on October 13, 12 and 9
  • 115 deaths, as of October 15, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

Huntingdonshire

Huntingdondshire had 910 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to October 24, which was down 79 (eight per cent) on the previous week.

But the infection level of 508.4 cases per 100,000 people was above the national average.

Worst affected was the Yaxley and Farcet area, with 81 cases, up from 61, while Houghton, Hemingford and Fenstanton had 76, up from 52.

Huntingdonshire has recorded:

  • 19,459 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
  • 496 cases in the five days from October 25-29, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
  • 269 deaths by October 29 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which were on October 25 and 23
  • 313 deaths, as of October 15, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

Fenland

Fenland had the highest infection rate in Cambridgeshire at 597.6 cases per 100,000 people in the week to October 24.

There were 610 cases in the week, up 10 (1.7 per cent) on the previous week.

Every area had more than 30 cases, and most had more than 50, with Wisbech North worst affected, with 77.

Very sadly, Fenland witnessed six deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test between October 21 and 25.

Fenland has recorded:

  • 12,025 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
  • 249 cases in the five days from October 25-29, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
  • 232 deaths by October 29 within 28 days of a positive test, with two on October 25, one on October 24, two on October 23 and one on October 21
  • 250 deaths, as of October 15, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

Peterborough

Peterborough had 1,217 confirmed Covid cases in the week to October 24, meaning its infection rate was 600.6 cases per 100,000.

This was despite a fall of 125 cases (9.3 per cent) on the previous week.

With 123 cases, Hampton Vale was again the worst affected area anywhere in Peterborough or Cambridgeshire. Stanground had 89 cases and West Town and Woodston had 83. Every area had more than 30.

Five deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test were recorded in five days in Peterborough between October 23 and 27.

Peterborough has recorded:

  • 31,014 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
  • 554 cases in the five days from October 25-29, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
  • 368 deaths by October 29 within 28 days of a positive test, with two on October 27, one on October 25 and two on October 23
  • 407 deaths, as of October 15, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

The global picture

Vaccinations by country

Hospitalisations

Variants

Read more

What it means for you as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are given Enhanced Response Area status amid rising Covid-19 rates

Concern for Addenbrooke’s as 500 staff off sick and 103 beds closed across Cambridge University Hospitals

Rapid Covid-19 testing kits available from Cambridgeshire libraries

October 23: Covid-19 infection rate in Cambridgeshire around highest it has ever been as cases spread rapidly among children

Book a Covid-19 vaccination for a child aged 12-15: Time and dates available at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough large-scale centres

Times and locations for Covid-19 vaccination walk-in centres in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

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