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Covid levels stand close to pandemic peak in January
09/12/2021
Infections in Brackley were up by 130% last week
Covid infection rates in our area have hit levels close to the pandemic peak back in January. In the seven days up to last Friday there were 896 confirmed new cases, less than 100 cases away from the 994 new cases that were recorded during the first week of January this year.
The largest increase in cases is in Brackley where 241 new infections were recorded – up 130% on the previous week. A new mobile PCR testing unit opened in the town on Tuesday in response to the increasing number of confirmed cases of the Omicron Covid variant.
Yesterday, in response to surging cases of the new strain the government moved to it’s “Plan B” rules. From tomorrow face coverings will be required by law in most indoor settings. As from Monday office workers who can work from home should do so and from next Wednesday certain venues and events will be required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption.
Across Oxfordshire case rates currently stand at 648 per 100,000 of the population, compared with 655 per 100,000 on 4 January.
Although case numbers remain highest in children, there are also particularly notable rises in the 40 – 49 age group.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Ansaf Azhar, said: “It is thanks to the vaccination programme that these high case numbers are not matched by the sort of hospital numbers or death rates that we saw across the country in early 2021. That’s why it’s so important for people to come forward for a jab as soon as they become eligible, whether that’s a first, second, third or booster jab.
“We must also remember that the NHS and social care are under huge amounts of pressure, and we must do everything we can to protect these vital resources.
“With rising case numbers and the new variant in circulation, we are now in a very uncertain period. There are however some certainties, whether we are talking about Omicron or Delta. Wearing face coverings, being careful about mixing with others, washing hands, ventilating rooms and all of that familiar advice remains crucial.
“Testing is another key defence in our fight against the virus. By regularly using lateral flow tests, particularly before meeting family, friends, or co-workers, you cut down the chances of passing on the virus unwittingly to others.
“With Christmas on the horizon, people will have some tricky judgements to make as we all try to negotiate our way through to the festive period without testing positive. The last thing anyone would want is to miss out on the big days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day because you’re ill or self-isolating.
“We are not currently facing the kind of tough restrictions we did last year. So it’s down to each of us to take precautions so that we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.
“We urge people to apply their common sense to their own personal circumstances to help stop the spread and increase their chances of keeping their families COVID-free as Christmas approaches.”
You can see the figures for your part of the Banbury FM area on our Covid dashboard.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam