Coronavirus Number of areas with high rates has dropped significantly

THE number of areas in the Bristol region with high Covid rates has significantly reduced in just over a week.

At the end of October, 23 areas across the region had infection rates above 1,000 per 100,000 – which meant more than one out of every hundred people was likely to be infected in those areas.

But only one area in the region has an infection rate that high now.

Wrington, Felton & Dundry in North Somerset currently has the region’s highest infection rate (1,031.6) after 64 cases were recorded in the seven days to November 2.

In Bristol, Knowle Park (818.7) has the city’s highest rate after 67 cases were confirmed in the same time period, while Longwell Green and Oldland Common had South Gloucestershire’s highest rate (90 cases, rate of 903).

It has now been more than three months since the vast majority of restrictions on daily life were lifted on July 19.

Despite the ending of restrictions, cases are still high, both across the country and in Bristol specifically. New cases do appear to be falling, so while the virus is still spreading, it is at least doing so more slowly than before.

The news comes as a top public health official urged people to be socially responsible and not go out if they have a bad cold as he warned health services could become overwhelmed this Winter.

Dr Michael Marsh, medical director for South West NHS England and NHS Improvement, said that it was estimated that up to 60,000 people may die from flu this winter.

He said that there could be up to six times more flu circulating this winter, adding he expects there will be a significant number of Covid and flu cases in December and January.

These are the areas in and around Bristol with infection rates above 800 per 100,000, placing them in the government’s most severe category, according to the latest available figures.

This shows the location, the number of cases recorded in the seven days to November 2, and the resulting case rate – expressed as cases per 100,000 of the population:

Bristol

Knowle Park 67 (818.7)

South Gloucestershire

Longwell Green & Oldland Common 90 (903)

Cadbury Heath South & North Common 94 (897.5)

North Somerset

Wrington, Felton & Dundry 64 (1,031.6)

Nailsea East 58 (908.2) Backwell & Flax Bourton 52 (857.1)