Omicron strain sees spike in reinfections across district

The emergence of the Omicron variant has seen a huge spike in the number of people catching Covid multiple times across the Canterbury district, new figures reveal.

Local figures for “reinfections” were published by the government for the first time this week, shining a light on the number of people testing positive for the virus more than once.

In November, such cases accounted for just 1% of all those recorded in the district, but in December this rose to 6%, and last month to 8%.

So for every 12 people now testing positive for Covid, one has had the virus before.

These reinfections - classified as positive tests at least 90 days apart - are likely being seen in those who previously had the Alpha or Delta variants, and are now being infected again by the more contagious Omicron strain

Of the 1,173 in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, 86% have been recorded since the start of December.

Fortunately, data suggests the viral load in reinfections is not as high as in primary infections, resulting in a much lower chance of falling seriously ill with the virus.

Latest figures show the number of Covid patients in east Kent’s hospitals has increased for the first time in three weeks, from 98 to 118.

At the same time, infection rates in Canterbury continue to rise - up 22% on the week.

Reinfections have been included in the official figures for the first time, prompting a sharp spike in the total number of cases.

Schools continue to be hit hardest by Covid, with more than a third of all new cases in the district in those aged 14 and under.

This age group recorded 631 positive tests in the most recent week alone, compared to just 38 in those aged 75 and over.

Roughly one in five people in the district has now had Covid.