1,000 Dales cases as Omicron variant continues its ominous spread

WITH signs the Omicron surge might be reaching its peak, local coronavirus statistics are painting a stark picture of the way the virus has gripped the area.

According to the latest data, there were more than 13,500 cases officially recorded in Derbyshire, more than 1,000 in the Derbyshire Dales – and 142 in Ashbourne.

The official data only records detected cases, so figures are expected to be significantly higher, but they are still far beyond record levels and appear to be increasing sharply every week.

The 142 detected cases in the Ashbourne South ward are similar to the neighbouring town of Wirksworth, which has 145 detected cases.

Neighbouring rural wards have seen slightly smaller numbers in general, but most are now in three figures.

In terms of rolling rates, measured per 100,000 population, Ashbourne South now has a rate of 1,891.6. At the start of December, as Ashbourne was bracing itself for Omicron’s arrival, that figure was just 559.5.

The rate of increases we are seeing in local wards varies to some extent, but everywhere has consistently seen some sort of rise in cases in the last measured week, with Ashbourne South seeing a 56% rise, and the more rural Ashbourne North ward seeing a 52.5% rise.

One of the neighbouring wards with the smallest increase week on week is Mayfield, Rocester &

Bramshall, which saw a 13% rise in the same time frame.

The East Staffordshire ward’s rolling rate is now at 1,229.5 with 100 detected cases.

The increase in the Derbyshire Dales represents 69.2% and Derbyshire’s overall increase represents 80.8%.

Staffordshire’s overall increase is 78.2%.