Number of Covid-19 patients in Addenbrooke’s hits 14-month high but confirmed cases in county plummet as free universal testing ends
The number of Covid-19 cases confirmed in Cambridgeshire has dropped significantly following the ending of free universal testing - but the number of patients with the virus at Cambridge University Hospitals is the highest it has been for 14 months.
There were 5,231 cases confirmed in the county in the week to April 3, down 2,311 (30.6 per cent) on the previous seven days. Universal free testing ended in the UK on April 1, meaning only certain groups and workers can access free Covid-19 tests now, such as NHS staff, NHS patients in hospitals and adult social care staff in care homes.
Below we look at each area of the county to see how the numbers have changed as the county’s infection rate drops to 795.9 cases per 100,000 people.
While test numbers are falling, as households’ stocks of free lateral flow tests run out, the number of patients in hospital is on the rise at Cambridge University Hospitals.
There were 117 Covid-19 patients on its wards on Friday (April 8), up from 96 the previous Friday and 88 the Friday before that.
This was the highest figure since February 16, 2021, during the second wave - meaning it is higher than anything seen during the Omicron wave.
These high numbers are exacerbating the strain on Addenbrooke’s, where there have been long waits in the emergency department and cancellations of some planned surgery.
At Royal Papworth, there were 16 Covid-19 patients on April 5. Six of them were in ventilation beds.
Lateral flow tests can now be bought from pharmacies for around £2 each. Boots is selling a pack of two for £3.95 or pack of five for £9.80.
When confirming the end of free universal testing, the government acknowledged that numbers in hospital had risen nationally, but pointed out that more than 55 per cent of those in hospital that had tested positive in recent weeks were not there with Covid-19 as their primary diagnosis.
It said the testing, tracing and isolation budget cost the country more than £15.7billion in 2021 to 2022.
Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, has now recorded:
- 203,525 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of April 8, 2022
- 4,035 in the seven days to April 1 according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 1,076 deaths by April 8 within 28 days of a positive test, with one on April 6, three on April 5, two on April 4, two on April 3, six on April 2 and one on April 1
- 1,210 deaths, as of March 25, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
Vaccinations
Bookings for Covid-19 vaccinations for children aged 5-12 can now be made, with second jabs on offer 12 weeks after the first.
More than 1.5 million Covid-19 jabs have been administered in Cambridgeshire, with 82.3 per cent of those aged 12 and over having received a first dose, 78.7 per cent having had a second and 65.3 per cent having received a third.
Waning immunity means a spring booster programme for those aged 75 and older, and those aged 12 years and older who are severely immunosuppressed, will be carried out. Eligible people will be contacted six months after their last dose.
Jabs for those aged 12 and over are available on a walk-on basis at all Cambridgeshire’s large-scale vaccination sites. Booking is available if preferred via www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine.
Cambridge
The number of confirmed cases in Cambridge in the week to April 3 was 1,087, down 552 (33.7 per cent) on the previous week, as testing numbers fall.
The infection rate was 869.2 cases per 100,000 people.
Cambridge has recorded:
- 42,017 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of April 8, 2022
- 840 in the seven days to April 8, according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 128 deaths by April 8 within 28 days of a positive test, including one on April 5 and 2
- 167 deaths, as of March 25, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
South Cambridgeshire
In South Cambridgeshire, there were 1,351 confirmed cases in the week to April 3, down 597 (30.6 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 839.6 cases per 100,000 people.
South Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 50,324 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of April 8, 2022
- 1,045 in the last seven days to April 8, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 221 deaths by April 8 within 28 days of a positive test, with the latest on April 3 and 2
- 253 deaths, as of March 25, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
East Cambridgeshire
In East Cambridgeshire, there were 676 cases in the week to April 3, down 352 (34.2 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 749.7 cases per 100,000 people.
East Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 26,125 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of April 8, 2022
- 562 cases in the seven days to April 8, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 113 deaths by April 8 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on April 5 and 4
- 131 deaths, as of March 25, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Huntingdonshire
Huntingdonshire recorded 1,379 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to April 3, down 550 (28.5 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 770.5 cases per 100,000 people.
Huntingdonshire has recorded:
- 54,816 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of April 8, 2022
- 1,020 cases in the seven days to April 8, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 332 deaths by April 8 within 28 days of a positive test, with the latest on April 6, 3 and 2
- 368 deaths, as of March 25, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Fenland
Fenland recorded 738 confirmed Covid-19 cases, down 260 (26.1 per cent) on the previous week. The infection rate was 723 cases per 100,000 people.
Fenland has recorded:
- 30,243 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of April 8, 2022
- 568 cases in the seven days to April 8, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 282 deaths by April 8 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on April 5 and 4, with two on April 2 and one on April 1
- 291 deaths, as of March 25, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Peterborough
Peterborough had 1,169 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to April 3, down 354 (23.2 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 576.9 cases per 100,000 people.
Peterborough has recorded:
- 72,808 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of April 8, 2022
- 854 cases in the seven days to April 8, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 444 deaths by April 8 within 28 days of a positive test, including two on April 1
- 485 deaths, as of March 25, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
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