Covid cases on rise despite the lockdown
THE upward trend in positive coronavirus cases in the Derbyshire Dales is continuing, despite the nation nearing the halfway point of the second lockdown.
This week there were 169 new positive tests recorded, according to the latest figures, and this represents a further increase over the 131 we reported last week, and the 128 we reported the week before.
The cumulative total for the district across the whole pandemic now stands at 1,040 - up from 918 at the same time last week.
Cases are also continuing to rise on a more local level, with 16 new positive tests recorded in Ashbourne North, which incorporates the Dovedale and Carsington Wards. Last week we reported there were 10 cases.
The smaller Ashbourne South ward saw an even sharper rise over the last week, with 28 new cases recorded over the most recent seven-day period, compared with the 16 it saw the week before.
And in the Doveridge, Brailsford and Bradley ward there were 27 cases - more than last week’s 22.
The latest local data also shows there are now more than 350 Covid-19 positive patients in the area’s hospitals, far higher than at any point during the first wave of the virus. However, the number of Covid patients in intensive care units at Queen’s Hospital in Burton, Chesterfield Royal Hospital and in Royal Derby Hospital remains substantially lower than during the pandemic peak.
It is thought this is down to a combination of an improved understanding from health professionals and treatment options for patients - along with lessons learned during the first wave.
Two weeks ago there were 236 Covid patients at Burton, Chesterfield and Derby’s hospitals. A week ago there were just over 300 patients that were so ill with the virus they ended up in hospital. There are now, as of Monday, 357 patients in our hospital beds with the virus - an increase of two thirds in two weeks.
In the first wave of the virus our hospitals peaked at different times throughout April. However, this time, they have all peaked at the same time.
Of these, 162 patients are at Royal Derby Hospital, of which 11 are in intensive care. This is above the site’s record high during the first peak of just under 160 patients in early April, but with far fewer than the near 30 in intensive care which peaked in mid April.
There are 143 Covid patients in Queen’s Hospital in Burton, nearly 50 per cent above its highest level during the first wave in mid April.
It has five Covid patients in intensive care, just below its first wave peak in late April.
Meanwhile, there are 52 Covid patients at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, some way off its respective first peak high in mid April. It has 10 Covid patients in intensive care, below its peak of 17 in early April.
Hospital chiefs hope that this week the number of Covid inpatients begins to fall. This would be a sign that the level of infections in the community - along with their severity - is reducing.
It is also a core piece of information being used to see if Covid restrictions, lockdown or the tier regional system, are required to quash the spread of the virus throughout winter.
On Monday Matt Hanock, the Health Secretary, said it was too early to know if lockdown will need to be extended beyond December 2.
Dr Susan Hopkins, deputy director at Public Health England, also said today that she expects to start seeing cases in the community declining over the coming week - towards two weeks into lockdown. She also said a strengthened tier system may be needed, with Tier 2 not working in some areas.
Derbyshire has only ever seen Tier 2 restrictions but most areas of the county, including the city, were only in it for five days before lockdown.
Health chiefs have consistently said it typically takes two weeks to see the effect of Covid restrictions on community infections.