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Cherwell: steep rise in COVID-19 cases here led to tier 4 decision
23/12/2020
District Council says we currently have the highest number of cases in Oxfordshire
Cherwell District Council says that steep rises in COVID-19 cases in north Oxfordshire prompted the government to place the district into the new tier 4 level of restrictions from Boxing Day. The Cherwell district currently has the highest number of cases in Oxfordshire with a rate of 334.2 per 100,000 of the population.
In the official figures which were today released for up to December 18th the number of positive COVID-19 test results in Banbury doubled in seven days (from 121 to 248). Cases in Bodicote, Adderbury and Bloxham jumped from 9 to 44. Cropredy, Wroxton and Shennington went from no cases two weeks ago to 13 last week.
Within the north of the Cherwell District every area increased the recorded number of infections.
Across the county, the number of cases in Oxfordshire stood at 236.5 cases per 100,000 of the population as of December 18. That represents a rise of 86% since December 11. There were 1,636 cases up to December 18 compared to 878 in the week ending December 11.
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “We are in a very serious situation, which means that people are once again being told to stay at home. The new variant of COVID-19 spreads extremely quickly and these rules are being applied for our own safety and protection. The numbers of cases across the county have risen very steeply and we have also seen sharp rises in hospital admissions.
“Tier 4 is a stark warning that we need to be extra vigilant. Unless we all take personal responsibility as individuals and families throughout the coming weeks, we risk creating a situation in the early weeks of 2021 that will see further steep rises in the number of cases at exactly the time of year when viruses thrive. This means putting even more pressure on our NHS at its busiest time of year.
“The COVID vaccine has started to be rolled out to the over 80s and health and care staff across Oxfordshire. However, it will be some way into 2021 before this begins to provide protection to larger numbers of the population and make a material difference to the overall situation.
“I would therefore urge everyone to adhere to the new tier 4 rules and to take every precaution. We need to protect ourselves, our communities and the NHS as we enter 2021.”
Banbury’s MP Victoria Prentis said: “I know everyone is fed up. I am miserable too. No one could have predicted that we would have to spend most of 2020 facing so many restrictions on our everyday lives, separated from friends and family.
“I remain extremely concerned about people’s mental wellbeing and the impact of the pandemic on the local economy. Our businesses have faced an extremely challenging year. I would encourage them to get in touch with the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (chiefexec@oxfordshirelep.com) or Cherwell District Council who have told me that they are here to help.
“At this time of year, I am mindful of the personal sacrifices so many doctors, nurses and care staff continue to make while looking after others. They may be battle worn but their spirit has not been broken. The dedication and sense of duty shown by all key workers during the pandemic is something we can all learn from.
“By taking this action now, I am hopeful we will not be in Tier 4 for long. I continue to receive weekly briefings from our local public health officials and will make it very clear that we need to be in the lowest reasonable tier according to the case rate.
“Vaccine rollout is well underway in our area, offering a glimmer of hope as we begin 2021. Until then, it is absolutely vital that people follow the guidelines and practice the three simple actions to keep protecting each other: wash hands regularly, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces and stay at least 2 metres apart. We are united in our desire to overcome coronavirus.”
You can see the latest infection rate graphs on our COVID Dashboard
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam