Covid-19 cases at second highest since pandemic began in one area of Cambridge - but there’s better news from our hospitals
An area of Cambridge has recorded the second highest number of Covid-19 cases seen in a week in the city since the pandemic began.
There were 101 confirmed coronavirus infections in the Central and West Cambridge area in the week to June 27.
Only in the week of November 9-15, when the same area had 114 cases, has there been a higher figure for any area of Cambridge (based on these week-to-week dates), although it should be noted that testing regimes have stepped up dramatically compared to the early days of the pandemic.
Below, we look at the how the virus is affecting every area of Cambridgeshire at a neighbourhood level.
The easily transmissible Delta variant, which is responsible for nearly all current cases of Covid-19, has led to rises in all areas, except Fenland, which recorded a welcome drop in case numbers.
The good news, however, is that the vaccination programme is breaking the link between cases and hospitalisation.
Data for June 29 showed three Covid-19 patients in Addenbrooke’s, but none on ventilation. Single patients were admitted on June 22, 24 and 26.
The Royal Papworth Hospital, which has specialist facilities, had four patients in hospital, including three on ventilation. This week, it discharged one patient who had been in critical care for 142 days. One patient was admitted on June 23 - the first admission since June 2.
Meanwhile, daily walk-in vaccination clinics have been set up around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to drive up the numbers receiving their first and second jabs. You can see a full list of the walk-in clinics here.
The latest data shows Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, has now recorded:
- 29,311 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of May 28, 2021
- 566 in the five days from June 28-July 2, according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 804 deaths by July 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on June 20
- 986 deaths, as of June 18, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
Vaccination numbers for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Cambridge
Cases of Covid-19 continue to rise sharply in Cambridge, which has the highest infection rate in the East of England and, estimates suggest, the lowest vaccination rate in the region.
The county’s public health director has said the majority of new cases in the city are being seen in the 18-30 age group, which includes the large student population and has only in the last few weeks been eligible for vaccination.
There were 311 cases in Cambridge in the week to June 27, up 179 (135.6 per cent) on the previous week, giving an infection rate of 249.2 cases per 100,000.
Two areas with large student populations had the highest numbers of cases.
Eddington and Castle had 55, up 38, while Central and West Cambridge recorded 101, up 60 on the previous week. That figure was higher than seen across the entire city for the seven weeks between April 26 and June 13.
The University of Cambridge identified 109 positive cases in the week to June 27, compared to 17 the week before. This was the highest number seen at the university since November 9-15.
The rise prompted vice chancellor Prof Stephen J Toope to write to students, encouraging them to participate in the asymptomatic testing programme and be vaccinated.
He said: “We understand that hospitality venues have been a conspicuous point of transmission, even when they are following appropriate health and safety protocols. While there is no such thing as a risk-free environment, it is vital that everybody follows all Covid-secure measures.”
And he warned: “The current rise in cases suggests that it will be difficult to stop the spread of the virus amongst unvaccinated students without additional measures.”
In the latest figures for the city, every area except King’s Hedges recorded a week-on-week rise, with Trumpington witnessing 27 cases, up from 11.
Thankfully, though, there has not been a rise in hospitalisations or deaths, reflecting the impact of the vaccinations and the lower age profile of many of the new cases
Cambridge has recorded:
- 6,565 confirmed cases since the pandemic began
- 233 in the five days from June 28-July 2, according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 88 deaths by July 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on February 25;
- 134 deaths, as of June 18, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
South Cambridgeshire
Cases of Covid-19 have more than double in South Cambridgeshire in a week.
There were 177 cases in the week to June 27, up 96 (118.5 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 111.3 cases per 100,000 people.
Notable spikes were seen in Hardwick and Highfields (21 cases, up from five the previous week), Cottenham (18, up from six), Papworth, Caxton and Fen Drayton (16, up from five) and Waterbeach and Landbeach (14, up from three). Only three areas did not witness a rise in cases.
South Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 6,296 confirmed cases since the pandemic began
- 122 cases in the five days from June 28-July 2, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 161 deaths by July 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on April 27
- 205 deaths, as of June 18, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
East Cambridgeshire
The rise in Covid-19 cases in East Cambridgeshire was much more limited in East Cambridgeshire.
There were 38 cases in the seven days to June 27, up eight (26.7 per cent) on the previous week, meaning the infection rate was 42.3 cases per 100,000 people.
The highest number of cases was seven, in North Ely, though Dullingham and Cheveley, with six, up from 0-2, saw the biggest rise.
East Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 3,181 confirmed cases since the pandemic began
- 42 cases in the five days from June 28-July 2, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 87 deaths by July 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on February 15
- 110 deaths, as of June 18, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Huntingdonshire
There was a 51.6 per cent rise in Covid-19 cases in Huntingdonshire in the week to June 27, compared to the previous seven days, with 97 cases, up 33.
Thirteen areas witnessed a rise. Yaxley and Farcet, with nine cases, had the highest number, while two areas - Bluntisham, Earith and Needingworth, along with St Ives South - had eight cases.
Huntingdonshire has recorded:
- 8,303 confirmed cases since the pandemic began
- 127 cases in the five days from June 28-July 2, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 255 deaths by July 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on June 7
- 300 deaths, as of June 18, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Fenland
Fenland recorded the most recent Covid-19 related death in the county on June 20.
The district was, however, the one area of Cambridgeshire to witness a reduction in case numbers in the week to June 27. There were 35, down 16 (31.4 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate down to 34.4 cases per 100,000 people.
Coates, Benwick and Pondersbridge, with nine cases, had the highest number of any Fenland area.
Fenland has recorded:
- 5,820 confirmed cases since the pandemic began
- 42 cases in the five days from June 28-July 2, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 213 deaths by July 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on June 20
- 237 deaths, as of June 18, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Peterborough
There was a significant rise in Covid-19 cases in Peterborough in the week to June 27, with 151 recorded, up 68 (81.9 per cent) on the previous week.
However, no individual area recorded more than seven cases.
The infection rate was 74.7 cases per 100,000 people.
Peterborough has recorded:
- 16,375 confirmed cases since the pandemic began
- 183 cases in the five days from June 28-July 2, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 329 deaths by July 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on April 16, according to preliminary Public Health England data
- 379 deaths, as of June 18, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
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