Cambridgeshire records more 3,000 Covid-19 cases in a week - but there’s evidence of success of booster jabs
The number of Covid-19 cases in Cambridgeshire has risen for the second week running, taking the infection rate above the national average.
There were rises seen again among the age groups 5-9 and 10-14, although not among the more heavily vaccinated 15-19 age group or among many of the age groups eligible for booster jabs.
Below, we look in detail at how every area of the county has been affected at a neighbourhood level.
Cambridgeshire had 3,139 cases in the week to November 21, up 495 (18.7 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 477.6 cases per 100,000 people.
This was above the national average of 437.1.
But among those aged 10-14 in Cambridgeshire, the infection rate was 1425.4 - meaning one in 70 children of this age had Covid-19 in the seven-day period.
The 5-9 age group was second most commonly affected, with an infection rate of 1207.9 - equivalent to one in 83 children.
Cases actually fell slightly among those aged 15-19, but all other age groups up to 50-54 saw rises. The numbers were level, week-on-week for those aged 55-59.
However, there was clear evidence that booster vaccinations are helping older age groups, with week-on-week declines in infection rates among age groups between 60 and 79.
After six months, immunity against symptomatic Covid-19 can wane to 45 per cent for those who had the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and to 65 per cent for those who had the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Booster jabs bolster this back up to 93-94 per cent in over-50s, studies have shown.
Booster vaccinations and second jabs for those aged 16-17 will be offered on a walk-in basis across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough from Monday, November 29. They are already offered on this basis to other eligible groups. And the Guildhall in Cambridge is also hosting walk-in vaccination sessions this weekend (10am-6pm, November 27-28) for all, including those seeking boosters and those aged 16-17 second jabs.
Meanwhile, scientists are monitoring the progress of the worrying new B.1.1.529, or Omicron, variant of Covid-19, which has a greater number of mutations than seen before. It emerged in southern Africa and two cases were confirmed in the UK on Saturday, prompting the reintroduction of mandatory mask-wearing in shops and on public transport from Tuesday.
Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, has now recorded:
- 78,973 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 26, 2021
- 2,197 in the five days from November 22-26 according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 894 deaths by November 26 within 28 days of a positive test, with the most recent on November 24 and with two on November 23, one on November 22 and two on November 20
- 1,069 deaths, as of November 12, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
Hospitalisations
On Friday (November 26), Addenbrooke’s had 33 Covid-19 patients on its wards, including six in critical care, while 27 inpatients were awaiting results. This was down on the 39 at the hospital on Tuesday (November 23), 11 of whom were on ventilation.
The Royal Papworth Hospital had 12 Covid-19 patients on its wards on Tuesday, with eight on ventilation.
Cambridge
Cases of Covid-19 rose by more than a third in a week in Cambridge.
There were 543 in the week to November 21, up 148 (37.5 per cent) on the previous week.
The infection rate was 434.2 cases per 100,000 people, which was narrowly below the national average of 437.1.
Trumpington, with 90 cases, up from 54, and Cherry Hinton, with 81, up from 60, were the worst affected.
Cambridge has recorded:
- 14,640 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 26, 2021
- 451 in the five days from November 22-26, according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 108 deaths by November 26 within 28 days of a positive test, the most recent of which were on November 23 and 20
- 147 deaths, as of November 12, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
South Cambridgeshire
South Cambridgeshire had 909 cases in the week to November 21, up 115 (14.5 per cent) on the previous week.
The infection rate of 564.9 cases per 100,000 people was the highest in the county and higher than the national average.
Meldreth, Melbourn and Great Chishill was the worst hit area, with 98 cases - the highest number it has had in a week since the pandemic began.
Histon, Impington and Orchard Park had 79 cases, up from 66, while Papworth, Caxton and Fen Drayton had 72, up from 62.
South Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 18,281 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 26, 2021
- 652 cases in the five days from November 22-26, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 175 deaths by November 26within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which were on November 24 and 12
- 220 deaths, as of November 12, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
East Cambridgeshire
The number of Covid-19 cases rose by a fifth in East Cambridgeshire in a week.
There were 443 cases, up 74 (20.1 per cent), taking the infection rate to 491.3 cases per 100,000 people.
Soham was worst hit, with 83 cases, up from 79, while Haddenham, Stretham and Witchford had 61 cases, up from 50. The fewest were seen in Isleham, Fordham and Chippenham, which had 15 cases.
East Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 10,175 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 19, 2021
- 251 cases in the five days from November 22-26, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 98 deaths by November 26 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on November 22 and 20
- 120 deaths, as of November 12, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Huntingdonshire
Huntingdonshire had the second highest infection rate in the county at 509 cases per 100,000 people for the week to November 21, which was above the national average of 437.1.
The district recorded 911 cases, up 129 (16.5 per cent) on the previous week.
Huntingdon Sapley and Oxmoor had the highest number of cases of any area in the county, with 109 cases, up from 71, while Huntingdon Central and West recorded 70, up from 55.
St Neots Eaton Socon, with 13 cases, down from 20, had the fewest.
Huntingdonshire has recorded:
- 22,552 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 26, 2021
- 621 cases in the five days from November 22-26, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 276 deaths by November 26 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which was on November 23
- 320 deaths, as of November 12, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Fenland
Case numbers also rose in Fenland, but the infection rate was the lowest of any district in Cambridgeshire.
There were 333 in the week to November 21, up 29 (9.5 per cent) on the previous week. The infection rate was 326.2 cases per 100,000 people.
Whittlesey had 58 cases, up from 40, while Wisbech South and Peckover had 37, up from 32.
Fenland has recorded:
- 13,325 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 26, 2021
- 222 cases in the five days from November 22-26, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 237 deaths by November 26 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on November 11 and 9
- 262 deaths, as of November 12, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Peterborough
Unlike anywhere in neighbouring Cambridgeshire, Peterborough actually witnessed a decline in Covid-19 cases in the week to November 21.
There were 905, down 36 (3.8 per cent) on the previous week.
Worst hit was Stanground, which witnessed a significant spike as case numbers rose from 76 to 147. The next highest number was seen in Hampton Vale, which had 60 cases, up from 55.
Peterborough has recorded:
- 34,579 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 26, 2021
- 554 cases in the five days from November 22-26, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 378 deaths by November 26 within 28 days of a positive test, with the latest on November 20 and 18
- 417 deaths, as of November 12, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
The global picture
Vaccinations by country
Hospitalisations
Variants
Read more
Call for Cambridgeshire 12 to 16-year-olds to take part in Covid vaccine trial
