Where Covid rates are highest as cases rise nationwide
CONCERNS ABOUT NEW VARIANTS EMERGING
AN area of Derby has some of the highest rates of Covid-19 in the county, according to the latest Government data, as cases rise nationwide.
Mickleover South had the highest case rate of any area of the county in the seven days up to Friday, July 1, the latest period for which figures are available.
It had 477.4 cases per 100,000 people, according to statistics released by the UK Health and Security Agency.
Derby also has the area with the lowest case rate in the same time period, with Normanton North and Pear Tree recording a case rate of 67.6 per 100,000 people.
Parts of Long Eaton, Swadlincote and Belper also had higher numbers of cases, while areas of Somercotes, South Normanton and Heanor had lower numbers.
It comes as the Office for National Statistics suggests that one in 25 people nationwide are currently infected, totalling around 2.7 million.
The number of those testing positive has been boosted by relaxed restrictions, the return of mass events such as Glastonbury and Royal Ascot, and the emergence of new strains of the virus, such as BA.4 and BA.5, which can be more transmissible and can be contracted within a shorter time frame after having previously tested positive.
According to the BBC, a total of 13,336 patients were in hospital in England on July 11. The last time the figure was this high in England was in late April.
Across the Chesterfield Royal Hospital and University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trusts, 131 in-patients tested positive for Covid on June 29, compared to 108 on June 23.
However, a spokesperson said that patients are not necessarily hospitalised due to the Covid-19 symptoms, but could be admitted for unrelated health issues.
While restrictions have been removed nationwide, the spokesperson said that NHS Derby and Derbyshire still encourages the public to remain vigilant and take steps to reduce the risk of catching and spreading coronavirus. Vaccinations and boosters are still available to be booked online.
Rules around masks can be implemented by individual care providers and both acute trusts, Derbyshire Community Healthcare Services and Derbyshire Healthcare, all state mask requirements on their websites.
The bodies are still encouraging the public to keep spaces well-ventilated, consider wearing a face covering, and maintain good hygiene such as covering your nose and mouth when sneezing, sanitising your hands and avoiding contact with those who are vulnerable if you are showing symptoms or have tested positive.
Anyone who is over the age of five can still get a free vaccine from local centres, whether this be a first, second or third dose.
It is believed that care home residents and staff, frontline health workers, those aged 65 and over and those aged between 16 and 64 who are in a clinical risk group will all be offered a winter booster shot.