Covid deaths up – but has rise peaked ?

A GOVERNMENT map has revealed the areas in Nottinghamshire where Covid rates are highest as deaths rise nationally for the sixth week in a row.

While the number of deaths involving Covid-19 registered each week in England and Wales has risen, there are signs the increase may be slowing down.

A total of 810 deaths registered in the seven days to July 29 mentioned coronavirus on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This is up nine per cent on the previous week, and is the highest number since the seven days to April 29. It is the smallest percentage increase since mid-june, however.

The upward trend in deaths is due to the recent wave of Covid-19 infections caused by the spread of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

The wave has now peaked, but it will take a couple more weeks for this to be reflected clearly in the death figures.

This is because the trend in deaths always lags behind the equivalent trend in infections, due to the length of time between someone catching the virus and becoming seriously ill, as well as the time it takes for deaths to be registered.

An interactive map shows how many cases are being reported in Nottinghamshire and across the rest of the country in recent weeks, with the latest data being accurate as of July 29.

Below are all the areas in Nottinghamshire with an infection rate above 200 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days leading to July 29:

■ Burton Joyce and Lambley – 360.8

■ Basford Park Lane – 301.3

■ Attenborough and Chilwell – 289.4

■ Old Basford – 282.2

■ Worksop Town and South – 262.8

■ Ruddington – 252.7

■ Yeoman Hill and Maun Valley – 251.6

■ Clifton West – 242.6

■ Bestwood – 221.1

■ Kirkby Central – 217.8

■ Clifton South – 215.3