In the seven days up to 25 June we had 537 confirmed new Covid-19 cases in Brighton & Hove which is a 59% increase on the previous week and equivalent to a weekly rate of 184.6 per 100,000 residents.
That’s higher than the South East rate of 88.1 per 100,000 and the England rate of 149 per 100,000.
We continue to have one of the highest rates in the south east.
Cases are rising fastest in those aged 15 to 29 but we’re also seeing an increase in all age groups except the over 60s. We’re seeing cases in every part of the city. Thankfully, the number of people needing hospital treatment remains very low, showing that the vaccination programme is weakening the link between infection and hospitalisation.
Alistair Hill, Director of Public Health for Brighton & Hove is today asking for us all to do three things to help keep the city safe, ensure schools and colleges stay open, and help our city’s hospitality venues and eclectic businesses thrive.
He asks:
“First and foremost, we need anyone who hasn’t had their first vaccination to get one as soon as they can. Around half of those in the 18-39 age group in the city remain unvaccinated. Everyone aged 18 and above can now be vaccinated.
“If you haven’t had your first dose, book online now or go to one of the walk-in sessions at Hove Lawns, St Peter’s Church or the Racecourse this weekend.
“It won’t take much time out of your day and I also urge employers to make sure your staff can take some time out to get their vaccine done quickly. It’ll benefit you as businesses because you need a healthy workforce, and it will benefit your customers too.
“Even if you have had two doses of the vaccine, remember to please keep up with the new behaviours we’ve all learned. They are:
“We need to keep testing so people with Covid can self-isolate and stop onward transmission. The vaccination programme is still rolling out, and we need to prevent new variants from developing that could be more transmissible or make the vaccines less effective.
“Please, don't go out if you have symptoms, test positive or are a close contact of someone who has. You must stay at home, get a test and save the socialising for another day.
“With rising cases it’s increasingly important we make sure we’re not spreading Covid without realising. Keep taking symptom-free tests twice a week – particularly if you’re heading out to work or meeting friends.
“Don’t worry, if you do have a positive Covid test result – there’s financial help of up to £500 if you will lose your pay by having to self-isolate. As well as practical or wellbeing support from our community hub whilst you’re unable to work.”
“National trends show the Covid rate is increasing in places where more young people live, where there lots of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes and places which are also tourist destinations.
“Brighton & Hove is all of these – it’s partly what makes our city so great – but it’s why we are all now facing a very real and serious challenge.
“There are so many interesting and diverse places to eat and drink in the city and we’re seeing more and more people enjoy them in recent weeks but unfortunately, during this time, we’ve also seen a growing number of cases linked to people socialising.
“We’re helping our hospitality venues to be as safe as possible, and where outbreaks are linked to a business we’re offering them advice so they can take all the right actions. Thank you to all those businesses who are working so hard to protect their customers and their staff.
“With the right Covid safe practices in place, these venues are safe for us to enjoy.
“But I stress again that as individuals or as groups of friends planning to meet out, we can also help make the city’s bars and restaurants safer places to be by taking our twice weekly tests.
“If we all follow the rules properly when we’re out mixing with others we can all help keep each other safe and help keep our city recover and thrive again.”
