Hello everyone. A fairly short, but mostly positive, update from me on the Covid19Â situation.
Numbers are down overall. As of 11 th February the Essex case rate is 112.7 per 100,000. The District with the highest case rate is Tendring with 182.8. Braintree District’s case rate is 143.5 which is down from 214.3 the previous week. So, all going in the right direction although Braintree still has one of the highest rates in the County. Witham is a ‘hot spot’ at the moment; the cause is not yet identified.
Hospital bed occupancy, as of the 11 th , has fallen to 579 Covid patients which is down 28% from the previous week. This is good news although it has been pointed out this is still high compared to Wave One last year.
As you are probably aware, a new shielding group has been identified. Essex Wellbeing Service will be contacting all this group and giving advice. We estimate there are around 30,000 Essex residents affected, roughly half of those are in the under 70 age group.
Finally, a message from Dr Mike Gogarty, Essex Director of Public Health and John Spence, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care: They recognise the influence of family, friends and community acquaintances is really important in encouraging residents to come forward for their vaccination when invited to do so. If you can, please give out a positive message about the vaccinations; it’s the best way out of the pandemic and getting life back to normal.
I had my first jab last Monday. So easy and it felt like a really positive thing to do!
Take careand stay safe.
Best wishes. Gabrielle