Covid back on the run as cases halve

BUT HOSPITALS SEE INFLUX OF UNJABBED PATIENTS

THE number of new coronavirus cases recorded in Ashbourne has halved in a week, with numbers now almost back where they were when cases started to rise at the start of July.

In the last measurable week, up to July 28, the government published 24 cases in the Ashbourne South ward, down from 51 last week.

This also more than halves the town’s rolling rate – measured per 100,000 population – bringing it down to 322.5 as of yesterday, when it was still at 685.2 last Tuesday.

Rural wards surrounding Ashbourne have also seen convincing reductions, with the Ashbourne North ward down to 16 cases this week from last week’s 24 and other wards such as Mayfield, Rocester and Bramshall, which is now down to just 13 cases.

The Derbyshire Dales district has also seen a significant fall in the number of new cases, with 198 recorded in the last seven days, a drop of 117, and Derbyshire’s overall Covid-19 case numbers have halved.

Meanwhile, the county’s local health leader says there has been an influx of unvaccinated patients hospitalised with the virus.

Nearly 90% (89.62%) of Derbyshire adults have had one vaccine dose and 76.62% have had both doses.

The roll-out has slowed in recent weeks and far fewer jabs are now being given out each week, despite thousands of Derbyshire residents remaining eligible and unvaccinated.

In the past week around 17,000 vaccines were administered in Derbyshire, down from an average throughout the roll-out of 60,000 jabs. An estimated 85,000 Derbyshire adults have not yet taken up the offer of a vaccine.

There are currently 38 Covid-19 patients in our hospitals, slightly down from 43 last week, while around two months ago there were not any patients with the virus in our hospitals.

Due to vaccination, this is still far below a pandemic peak of more than 700 patients in our local hospitals with the virus. Previously, there have been dozens of patients in intensive care due to the virus, which is also heavily reduced due to vaccination.

Tracy Bullock, chief executive of the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which oversees hospitals in Stoke and Stafford, said: “We only need to look in our critical care to see that the majority of patients with Covid are not vaccinated.

“Those vaccinated are coping with Covid illness much better.

“It is so sad to see when it can be prevented.”

Royal Derby Hospital staff are currently treating 26 Covid-19 patients, of which five are in intensive care.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital is caring for six patients with the virus, of which three are in ICU.

There are currently six Covid patients at Queen’s Hospital in Burton, of which one is in intensive care.

A Chesterfield Royal Hospital spokesperson said: “We are still seeing patients with a positive diagnosis of Covid which shows that this virus is still out there and a risk to public health.

“We know that many restrictions have been lifted but we have very specific public health responsibilities, so please help us to keep numbers down by being sensible, taking any reasonable precautions you can and isolating when you are asked to.”

Gavin Boyle, chief executive of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, has said: “This is the first time in months that we have been caring for so many patients who have tested positive for Covid-19, with a lower median age than the previous wave in the winter.

“A hospital is a place where we bring the most vulnerable members of our society and we must make it as safe as possible for them.”

He added: “Whilst I understand the sense of relief and delight as the general restrictions were eased, I would still urge everyone to be cautious and to avoid unnecessary risk.

“I would also ask everyone to respect that our hospitals are the place for the most vulnerable. We need to protect those who care for them.

“An outpatient or visitor won’t necessarily meet a clinically vulnerable person when they come here, but they’re very likely to encounter someone who cares for them.

“So, we are continuing to ask everyone who comes to our hospitals to continue to follow Hands, Face, Space, to not come here as a visitor or outpatient if you have symptoms, to maintain regular hand hygiene and to wear a mask or face covering.

“Please follow the social distancing measures we have in place.”

Derbyshire’s health system has also made a combined plea to residents to “think more carefully” than ever before about their service choices, as pressure mounts.

Staff in GP practices, ambulance crews, 111 and 999 call handlers, emergency department staff and many others are reporting “significant challenges”, with patients returning to pre-pandemic use of services. Many walk-ins at emergency departments are being seen for conditions that could be treated in a pharmacy or at home.

Numbers of 999 and 111 calls have broken records in recent days and GP surgeries have seen large increases in requests for appointments compared with the same time before the pandemic.