Covid-19 analysis: Record infection rates in children fuel sharp rise of cases in Cambridgeshire

paul.brackley@iliffemedia.co.uk

Published: 12:59, 29 January 2022

| Updated: 12:59, 29 January 2022

Covid-19 cases have risen by nearly a third in a week in Cambridgeshire, fuelled by record infection rates among children that are leaving schools with very high absence rates.

There were 8,703 cases confirmed in the week to January 23, up 2,095 (31.7 per cent) on the previous seven days.

Below we look at how every area of the county has been affected, along with the latest on hospitalisations and vaccinations.

The infection in the county was 1,342.2 cases per 100,000 people in the week to January 23. This was above the national average of 954.2 and meant that one in 75 people had Covid-19 in the county during the seven-day period.

But the proportion was much higher among children.

Nearly a fifth of all cases were in children aged 5-9. The infection rate in this age group was a record for any age group in Cambridgeshire since the start of the pandemic, at 4,052.8 cases per 100,000 - meaning one in 25 children had Covid-19 in the week to January 23.

Numbers also rose rapidly among those aged 10-14 during the week. The infection rate of 3,202 cases per 100,000 was the highest seen in any age group except the 5-9s during the pandemic, and meant one in 31 children aged 10-14 had the virus during the week.

Many schools are reporting large numbers of absences, and some secondaries have opted to keep masks despite them no longer being mandatory.

Meanwhile, there was also a rise in the infection rate in ‘parent age’ groups, and a concerning rise in cases among the vulnerable 90-plus age group.

Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, has now recorded:

141,644 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of January 28, 2022
5,882 in the five days from January 24-28 according daily case data, which is subject to change
963 deaths by January 28 within 28 days of a positive test, with deaths every day from January 18 to 28, including three on January 25, two on January 24, three on January 23 and three on January 21
1,121 deaths, as of January 14, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.

Hospitalisations

Addenbrooke’s was caring for 71 patients with Covid-19 on Friday (January 28), and five of them were in critical care. There were 15 inpatients awaiting Covid-19 test results.

The numbers were up slightly from the 68 Covid patients on the hospital’s wards a week earlier, when none was in critical care.

At Royal Papworth Hospital, there were 10 Covid patients on January 25, 8 of whom were on ventilation beds.

Vaccinations

Some 1,475,108 vaccinations have been administered in Cambridgeshire.

More than four in five (81.8 per cent) of over-12s have had their first jab, with more than three-quarters (76.7 per cent) having had two jabs. Just under two thirds (62.6 per cent) have had a booster or third dose.

Jabs are available on a walk-on basis at all Cambridgeshire’s large-scale vaccination sites, except Chesterton Bowls Club, where limited parking means booking is required.

Booking is available if preferred via www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine.

Cambridge

Covid-19 case numbers rose by a third in a week in Cambridge.

There were 2,051 cases in the week to January 23, up 513 (33.4 per cent) on the previous week.

Worst hit were King’s Hedges, with 242 cases and Trumpington, with 206.

The infection rate of 1,640 cases per 100,000 people was well above the national average of 954.2.

Cambridge has recorded:

28,330 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of January 28, 2022
1,461 in the five days from January 24-28, according daily case data, which is subject to change
114 deaths by January 28 within 28 days of a positive test, including two on January 25
154 deaths, as of January 14, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.

South Cambridgeshire

Covid-19 case numbers shot up in South Cambridgeshire in the week to January 23.

There were 2,256 recorded, up 716 (46.5 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 1,402.1 cases per 100,000 people, well above the national average.

With 197 cases, Meldreth, Melbourn and Great Chishill were worst hit, while Longstanton, Swavesey and Oakington recorded 168. Bar Hill and Boxworth, with 43, had the fewest.

South Cambridgeshire has recorded:

34,237 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of January 28, 2022
1,578 cases in the five days from January 24-28, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
190 deaths by January 21 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on January 26 and 25, with two on January 23 and one on January 22 and 20
227 deaths, as of January 14, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

East Cambridgeshire

There was a big rise in confirmed Covid-19 case in East Cambridgeshire in the week to January 23 too.

There were 1,145 recorded, up 341 (42.4 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 1,269.8 cases per 100,000 people, above the national average.

Soham, with 223 cases, was worst hit, while Isleham, Fordham and Chippenham had 143, and Swaffham and Bottisham had 138.

East Cambridgeshire has recorded:

17,715 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of January 28, 2022
726 cases in the five days from January 24-28, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
103 deaths by January 28 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which was on January 14
127 deaths, as of January 14, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

Huntingdonshire

There were 1,922 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Huntingdonshire in the week to January 23, up 278 (16.9 per cent) on the previous week.

The infection rate of 1,073.8 cases per 100,000 people was above the national average.

Worst hit was Houghton, Hemingford and Fenstanton, with 146 cases, followed by Sawtry and Gidding, with 138 cases.

Huntingdonshire has recorded:

39,800 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of January 28, 2022
1,198 cases in the five days from January 24-28, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
301 deaths by January 28 within 28 days of a positive test, including one on January 24, three on January 21 and three on January 19
340 deaths, as of January 14, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

Fenland

Case numbers rose by a fifth in Fenland in the week to January 23.

There were 1,329 cases, up 247 (22.8 per cent) on the previous seven days, taking the infection rate to 1,301.9 cases per 100,000 people, well above the national average.

Chatteris had the highest number of cases, with 215, followed by Wisbech South and Peckover, with 180.

Fenland has recorded:

21,562 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of January 28, 2022
919 cases in the five days from January 24-28, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
255 deaths by January 28 within 28 days of a positive test, including deaths on January 27, 24 and 23
273 deaths, as of January 14, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

Peterborough

Peterborough had 3,624 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the week to January 23, up 536 (17.4 per cent) on the previous seven days.

The infection rate of 1,788.5 cases per 100,000 people was higher than any district in neighbouring Cambridgeshire, with Stanground and Hampton Vale each recording the highest number of cases, at 278.

Peterborough has recorded:

55,545 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of January 28, 2022
2,071 cases in the five days from January 24-28, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
405 deaths by January 28 within 28 days of a positive test, including three on January 24
446 deaths, as of January 14, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate

The global picture

Vaccinations by country

Hospitalisations

Variants

Cambridge Coronavirus East Cambridgeshire Health In Depth South Cambridgeshire Paul Brackley