Area records highest rate of Covid deaths

Thatcham has most in West Berkshire, official statistics show

THATCHAM currently has the highest number of coronavirus-related deaths in West Berkshire, with three more cases also recorded recently, but an outbreak control team has not deemed to intervene.

In the area listed as Thatcham Town, 30 people have died with coronavirus – 26 of the deaths were in April and four in May.

The area includes the West Berkshire Council-run Walnut Close Care Home and BUPA’s Thatcham Court.

Four people in Thatcham West died with Covid-19, one in each month from March to June.

There were three deaths in Thatcham North East, one each in March, April and May.

There were five deaths in the area labelled Thatcham South East and Bradfield, which includes, Crookham, Brimpton, Aldermaston, Bucklebury and Bradfield, and all occurred in April.

Three cases of Covid-19 were reported in Thatcham Town by July 15, with a specimen date up to July 12.

The data has been released by the Office for National Statistics and records deaths where coronavirus was the underlying cause or was mentioned on the death certificate as a contributory factor.

The council said that four deaths at Walnut Close had been listed as coronavirus-related since the start of April.

It also confirmed that there were two positive cases within the home in July, but added that “the clinical nature of these diagnoses were complex”.

The council said that it had adhered to national guidance since the start of the outbreak, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control measures such as isolating people with symptoms, and closing services to any nonessential visitors.

“The current position is much less concerning than it was in April/May, although we continue to remain vigilant and have comprehensive control and preventative measures in place,” the council said.

BUPA confirmed that one resident at Thatcham Court had died following a positive test for Covid19.

A further three residents recovered after testing positive.

Thatcham Court regional director Suzie Brown said: “Our residents’ safety is our number one priority and we are pleased that our home has been Covid-free since the end of May.

“We have strictly followed all advice from Public Health England (PHE) throughout the pandemic.

“Our colleagues are continuing to give our residents the highest level of care and keep them in good spirits.

“We continue to implement strict infection control measures for the safety of everyone in our home.”

BUPA said that it had strict infection control measures across the home, including wearing PPE at all times, limiting staff movement to specific units and floors, encouraging residents to limit their movement around the home and increased deep cleans of residents’ rooms and communal areas.

Regular testing is now being carried out for all residents and staff, and the home is welcoming new residents seeking care.

PHE determines if an outbreak control team needs to be formed.

The council said that there is no specific threshold that defines an outbreak, although this is normally two or more people experiencing a similar illness and are linked in time or place.

PHE will then conduct a risk assessment considering factors such as the number of people affected, the vulnerability of the individuals concerned, the risk of further transmission, the feasibility of intervening and the need to involve the co-ordination of wider partners.

The game consists of 10 window characters – monster superheroes – with embedded Near Field Communication tags that will be hosted around the town centre.

Families can start the safari by tapping any of the characters and paying a nominal cost of £2 per family for the whole trail, plus a voluntary donation to NHS Charities Together.

Thatcham Town Council will support the project by paying for the first 100 families to register.

Events manager John Sackett said the game was going well and about 30 people have signed up.