Covid-19 case numbers in Cambridgeshire fall but localised mini spikes highlight need for vigilance
There was a marginal decline in confirmed Covid-19 cases in Cambridgeshire in the week to March 28, but a few areas experienced mini-spikes that highlighted the need for vigilance in controlling the virus.
Below, we analyse the latest case data, infection rates and confirm the number of deaths for every area of the county.
Overall, Cambridgeshire recorded 312 cases in the week to March 28, down 26 (7.7 per cent) on the previous seven days.
The infection rate of 47.7 cases per 100,000 people was narrowly below the national average - and less than half that of neighbouring Peterborough (102.3).
But there were a few pockets of Cambridgeshire where case numbers rose notably, as we detail below.
Daily case data, which is subject to change, shows a further 106 cases in the five days to April 2, which takes the total in the county since the pandemic began to 27,466.
There have now been 793 deaths within 28 days of a positive test - the last of them on Friday, April 2 - and 949 deaths as of March 19 that mention Covid-19 on the death certificate.
Health authorities will now be watching carefully to see if the partial relaxation of Covid-19 rules that came into force on March 29 leads to any increase in cases. The rules now allow groups of up to six to meet outdoors, while social distancing, or two households of any number to meet outdoors, and outdoor sport is now permitted once more.
Dr Liz Robin, director of public health for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “It’s important that we don’t become complacent. To keep heading in the right direction, it’s as important as ever to stick to the government rules which are still in place, and to follow the hands, face space and fresh air guidance, please stay local if you can. avoid crowded places, and remember that it’s safer outside in the fresh air. This is why up to six people or two households can eat outdoors. But meeting socially indoors is still not allowed. And of course, if you do meet outdoors, you should still maintain social distancing and keep two metres apart from people not in your household.”
Cambridge
Cambridge witnessed a slight increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to March 28.
There were 49 overall in the city, up six (14 per cent) on the previous seven days, taking the infection rate to 39.3 cases per 100,000 people, which was narrowly below the national average.
East Chesterton had 10 cases, up from four, while Trumpington recorded seven cases, up from 0-2 the previous week. Five other areas also recorded small rises. But in Arbury, the number of cases fell from 12 to four, week-on-week.
There have now been 5,586 confirmed cases in the city, including 12 cases in the five days from March 29-April 2, according to the latest daily case data, which is subject to change.
Cambridge has recorded:
- 86 deaths by April 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on February 25;
- 133 deaths, as of March 19, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
South Cambridgeshire
South Cambridgeshire also recorded a slight increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to March 28.
There were 51 in the week, up 13 (34.2 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 32.1 cases per 100,000 people, which was below the UK average.
Papworth, Caxton and Fen Drayton recorded the highest number, with eight, but that was down from 13 the previous week. Longstanton, Swavesey and Oakington recorded the highest increase with six, up from 0-2.
There have now been 5,725 cases confirmed in the district since the pandemic began, including 16 in the five days from March 29-April 2, according to the latest daily case data, which is subject to change.
South Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 156 deaths by April 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on March 22;
- 195 deaths, as of March 19, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
East Cambridgeshire
East Cambridgeshire recorded a slight drop in confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to March 28.
There were 32, down six (15.8 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 35.6 cases per 100,000 people, which was slightly below the national average.
The highest number was seven, recorded in North Ely, which was up from four the previous week.
Daily case data shows 18 more cases in the five days to April 2, although this is subject to change. These took the total number of cases to 2,978 cases in the district since the pandemic began.
East Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 93 deaths by April 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on Friday April 2;
- 108 deaths, as of March 19, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Huntingdonshire
There was a spike of 27 cases in the Huntingdon Sapley and Oxmoor areas in the week to March 28.
This was up from 13 in that area on the previous week.
But overall Huntingdonshire recorded a decline of five cases (4.8 per cent), with 100 cases in the seven days to March 28. This took the infection rate to 56.2 cases per 100,000 people, which was above the national average.
The next worst affected area was Huntingdon Central and West, with eight, up from four the previous week.
Daily case data shows a further 32 cases in the five days to April 2, although this is subject to change. There have now been 7,759 cases in the district since the pandemic began.
Huntingdonshire has recorded:
- 252 deaths by April 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on March 30.
- 285 deaths, as of March 19, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Fenland
There was a welcome decline in confirmed Covid-19 cases by more than a quarter in Fenland in the week to March 28.
Eighty were recorded in the district, which was down 34 (29.8 per cent) on the previous week. However, the infection rate of 78.5 cases per 100,000 was still well above the national average.
All but three areas recorded more than two cases, with Chatteris (13) and Doddington, Wimblington and Manea (also 13) worst hit.
Wisbech, which has recorded some of the highest case numbers in Cambridgeshire, welcomed an improvement, with 10 in Wisbech South and Peckover, down from 21, and nine in Wisbech North, down from 20.
Fenland has recorded:
- 206 deaths by April 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on March 17;
- 228 deaths, as of March 19, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Peterborough
Peterborough’s infection rate remains among the higher numbers in the UK, but there was a welcome drop in cases in the week to March 28.
The city recorded 207 confirmed cases, down 45 (17.9 per cent). This took the infection rate to 102.3 cases per 100,000.
Dogsthorpe witnessed a week-on-week trebling of cases from 11 to 33, while Hampton Vale had 19, up from 15.
Daily case data, which is subject to change, shows a further 98 cases in the five days from March 29 to April 2, taking the total in Peterborough since the pandemic began to 15,223.
Peterborough has recorded:
- 338 deaths by April 2 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on March 25
- 373 deaths, as of March 19, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
The national picture: Long Covid data
The international picture: Cases
The international picture: Vaccinations
Read more
Cambridge transparent mask design approved for NHS use
Why obesity makes Covid-19 more dangerous - and what you can do to survive
Cambridge leads HEAL-COVID trial to cut deaths and complications after coronavirus hospital stay
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for the latest news, sport, business, culture and science from the Cambridge region
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
