Covid cases stabilise in Brighton & Hove
After last week’s small rise, the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Brighton & Hove has returned to same level as mid-April.
In the seven days up to 30 April, there were 40 confirmed new Covid-19 cases in the city which is a 18% decrease on the previous week and equivalent to a weekly rate of 14 per 100,000 residents. This is lower than the rate for England, which was 23 per 100,000 and the South East at 16 per 100,000.
Now that the rate of Covid cases in the city is relatively low, Director of Public Health, Alistair Hill, explained how small fluctuations up and down can be expected. He said:
“With such small numbers, just a handful of new cases can explain a double-digit percentage change. But one more case of Covid in the city is one too many. Ideally, we need numbers to steadily reduce week on week.
“I say this every week because it never loses importance: the virus is still circulating in our community with the potential to spread again. As we move towards the next stage on the roadmap out of lockdown we must all continue to be careful and take care of each other.
“We need as many people as possible to roll up their sleeves and get their jab. Every vaccination takes us one step closer to normal.
“The local vaccination centres are very busy and appointments get booked-up fast. We know the national booking system is offering some residents first-dose appointments outside Brighton & Hove. If that happens and you cannot travel to the suggested location, please bookmark the page and keep trying, because new slots will become available. There are also alternatives that can be booked directly such as the mobile vaccination service which is visiting St Peter’s Church this Friday and Saturday and Brunswick Square on Sunday.
“The vaccination programme is truly giving us hope. The vaccines are highly effective at reducing COVID-19 infections with 10,400 deaths prevented in the over-60s by the end of March. A new study by Public Health England shows that just one dose of any of the Covid vaccines can cut the rate of transmission to others in a household by nearly half. This is reassuring news for multi-generation families and people in shared accommodation where not everyone living together has had their jab yet. By getting vaccinated you also protect those around you.
“Many residents are now being invited for their second jab – it is vital everyone takes this up to receive the maximum protection.
“Even as people get vaccinated, we need to keep testing to make sure we're slowing the spread of the virus It’s now easier than ever to get free symptom-free Covid tests or have them delivered to your home.
“If you have any symptoms of Covid-19 the symptom-free (lateral flow) tests are not the right one to take, you should book a free PCR test and follow the self-isolation guidance. The council may be able to offer financial help if you cannot work because you need to self-isolate.”
