The number of confirmed new Covid-19 cases in Brighton & Hove fell from 1584 to 1166 in the seven days up to 23 July.
The rate per hundred thousand of the population reduced from 544.5 in the previous week to 400.8. We’re now almost equal to the England rate of 401.4 but we’re still higher than the South East rate of 323.3 per 100,000.
While the 26% decrease is the first significant reduction for nearly two months, Director of Public Health, Alistair Hill, cautions that there are still too many unvaccinated people in Brighton & Hove.
He said:
“Unfortunately, there are now in-patients with Covid-19 in our local hospital, although the numbers are lower than earlier in the pandemic thanks to the effectiveness of the vaccines.
“Our local vaccination programme has delivered a first vaccine dose to nearly three quarters of our adult residents. However, almost one in two adults in Brighton & Hove are not yet fully vaccinated with two doses. To get the best protection the full course of two jabs is needed.
“I’m asking everyone who is able to be vaccinated, but has not yet done so, to please get the first dose as soon as possible. And everyone who has already had a first jab to get the second dose at eight weeks for maximum protection.
“It is easy to get first and second vaccinations with walk-in appointments available at the Brighton Centre every day from 8.30am to 7pm and appointments can be booked online.
"Walk-in vaccination clinics are also running this weekend at Hove Lawns on Saturday 31 July and Waitrose car park on Sunday 1 August from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
“Another issue of concern is the reports we’re hearing that after Covid regulations were lifted on 19 July many people in our community no longer feel safe going to public places.
“I want to ask everyone to please be mindful that not everyone you encounter feels comfortable in busy places. Many are choosing to keep wearing face coverings in public to protect themselves and others.
“And I want to reassure those who are concerned that despite the photos in the media of crowding in some popular places, this is not common across the whole city.
"There are plenty of areas where it is possible to maintain social distancing when shopping, socialising and exercising safely.
“Although masks are no longer mandatory, lots of local businesses are encouraging staff and customers to still wear them if they want to and we very much support this.
“Given the high levels of the virus in the city I want to encourage everyone who wants to, to continue to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet; and to maintain social distancing in public when you can.”
