Over 30,000 antigen tests registered to date this week

Concern being expressed locally about a rise in the numbers of positive Covid tests, including both confirmed PCR tests and self-registered postive antigen tests. In the area, concerns were raised by at least one school staff member fearing for the continuation of exams, particularly the oral exams which are due to begin on 9th April. Some businesses locally are asking people to continue wearing masks, while subjecting customers to temperature checks.

On Wednesday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre had been notified of 7,038 confirmed PCR cases, and another 14,060 people self-registered a positive antigen test. 55 people are in ICU with the virus as of Wednesday, a reduction from the 61 that were hospitalised in ICU on Tuesday.

In the last 14 days, the number of positive PCR tests registered daily has been between 4,000 and just over 9,000, with one day registering an outlier of just over 2,000 confirmed PCR tests.

The numbers of registered positive antigen tests has been over 10,000 every day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week - a likely knock on following the extended bank holiday period. In the preceding 11 days, there were between 9,735 and 5,791 daily.