Analysis: Covid-19 cases in Cambridge and across Cambridgeshire reach another record as Omicron becomes dominant in region
Cambridgeshire has witnessed another record number of Covid-19 cases as Omicron becomes the dominant variant in the East of England.
There were 4,335 cases in the week to December 12, up 103 (2.4 per cent) on the previous week, which had set a record.
Below, we explore how every area has been affected, as there is considerable variation across the county, with Cambridge recording by far its highest weekly figure since the pandemic began.
Based on samples tested on December 14 and 15, Omicron was responsible for an estimated 62 per cent of cases in the East of England region, the second highest proportion to London, where the highly mutated variant is responsible for 80.8 per cent of cases, according to UK Health Security Agency data.
With two doses of a Covid-19 variant proving insufficient to protect against Omicron, the booster roll-out has been stepped up dramatically in the last week.
Early data suggests boosters drive protection against severe disease from Omicron back up to 80-85.9 per cent. While this is lower than the 97 per cent protection against Delta, the Imperial College London modelling could not assess T cell responses, which may provide further protection.
After the government set a new target of offering every eligible adult a booster by the end of December, bringing forward the initial deadline by a month, health authorities in Cambridgeshire have opened up thousands more bookable slots, increasing the number administered by 60 per cent in the first three days of the week (December 13-15), compared to the previous week, although a huge effort is still needed to meet the target.
Boosters are not available on a walk-in basis in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, but first, second and third primary doses are. Find out more about vaccinations in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough here.
Examining the case data by age shows the highest number of Covid-19 cases in Cambridgeshire continue to be found among those age five to nine, who are not eligible for any Covid vaccinations, followed by the partially vaccinated 10-14 age group. The 40-44 age group is next, potentially including many parents of children in those younger age groups.
The infection rate actually fell slightly among the youngest age groups, but rose among those aged 20-39, underscoring the importance of the booster roll-out for over-18s.
Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, has now recorded:
- 92,030 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of December 17, 2021
- 3,476 in the five days from December 13-17 according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 907 deaths by December 17 within 28 days of a positive test, with two on December 10, three on December 9 and one on December 8
- 1,087 deaths, as of December 3, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
Hospitalisations
On Friday (December 17), Addebrooke’s was caring for 36 patients with Covid-19, eight of whom were in critical care. A further 25 inpatients were awaiting Covid test results.
The number was down slightly on the 41 on the Covid wards at the Cambridge hospital on December 14 and 44 on December 13.
At Royal Papworth Hospital, there were 11 Covid-19 patients on its wards on December 14, 10 of whom were in mechanical ventilation beds.
Vaccinations
In Cambridgeshire, 80.5 per cent of people have now received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 74.3 per cent have had a second.
A total of 266,193 third or primary doses have been administered in the county, which represents 39.9 per cent of over-12s, although only those aged over 18 are eligible.
A further 63,671 booster doses have been administered in Peterborough (30.5 per cent of over-18s).
Examining the proportion of boosters in each area against the current infection rate shows that Cambridge has the lowest percentage of booster uptake in the county, and the highest infection rate. This may partly reflect its younger age profile than, for example, Fenland, where booster numbers are high and cases lower than average.
Cambridge
A record number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Cambridge has been recorded.
There were 1,102 cases confirmed in the seven days to December 12 - the first time the number of cases has reached four figures in a week in the city.
This was up by 278, or a third (33.7 per cent), on the previous week, which had itself set a record.
It means the infection rate was 881.2 cases per 100,000 people - well above the rising national infection rate of 551.3.
Four areas had more than 100 cases in the week - Trumpington recorded 129, Eddington and Castle had 121, Central and West Cambridge had 104 and Arbury witnessed 101.
The lowest number was seen in Petersfield, where there were 57.
Cambridge has recorded:
- 17,623 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of December 17, 2021
- 929 in the five days from December 13-17, according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 109 deaths by December 17 within 28 days of a positive test, the most recent of which were on November 26 and 23
- 151 deaths, as of December 3, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
South Cambridgeshire
South Cambridgeshire had 1,197 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to December 12, down by just four (0.3 per cent) on the record set the previous week.
The infection rate was 743.9 cases per 100,000 people.
Cambourne, with 93 cases, had the highest number, although this was down from 99 the previous week. Papworth, Caxton and Fen Drayton had 91 cases, up from 69.
The fewest number of cases - 26 - were in Cottenham and in Waterbeach and Landbeach.
South Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 21,899 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of December 17, 2021
- 939 cases in the five days from December 13-17, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 174 deaths by December 17 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which were on November 24 and 12
- 224 deaths, as of December 3, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
East Cambridgeshire
There was a slight decrease in the number of confirmed cases in East Cambridgeshire in the week to December 12.
There were 468, down 61 (11.5 per cent), taking the infection rate to 519 cases per 100,000 people.
Soham and Littleport each recorded 67 cases, while North Ely had 64.
The infection rate was 519 cases per 100,000 people, slightly below the national average.
East Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 11,739 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of December 17, 2021
- 432 cases in the five days from December 13-17, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 101 deaths by December 17 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on December 10 and 1
- 123 deaths, as of December 3, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Huntingdonshire
There were 1,185 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Huntingdon in the week to December 12, but this was down 110 (8.5 per cent) on the previous week, which had set a record for the district.
Worst hit was St Neots Eynesbury, with 93 cases, up from 81, while Brampton, the Stukeleys and the Alconburys had 89, Yaxley and Farcet had 86 and Buckden and Perry had 85.
The fewest were Bluntisham, Earith and Needingworth, where 23 cases were recorded.
The infection rate of 662.1 cases per 100,000 people was above the national average.
Huntingdonshire has recorded:
- 26,310 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of December 17, 2021
- 937 cases in the five days from December 13-17, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 283 deaths by December 17 within 28 days of a positive test, including two on December 9, one on December 2 and two on November 29
- 325 deaths, as of December 3, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Fenland
The number of cases in Fenland in the week to December 12 was exactly level with the previous week. There were 383 recorded, meaning the infection rate stayed at 375.2 cases per 100,000 people - below the national average.
Wisbech North, with 50 cases, had the highest number, while the fewest were found in March West with 23 and March East with 24.
Fenland has recorded:
- 14,459 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of December 17, 2021
- 478 cases in the five days from December 13-17, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 240 deaths by December 17 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on December 10, 9 and 8
- 264 deaths, as of December 3, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Peterborough
Peterborough had 1,020 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the week to December 12, which was down 10 (one per cent) on the previous week.
The infection rate of 503.4 cases per 100,000 people was below the national average of 551.3.
Hampton Vale, with 106 cases, recorded the highest number, taking over from Stanground, where the number of infections declined from 128 the previous week to 89.
Nine Covid-19 related deaths within 28 days of a positive test have been recorded in Peterborough this month.
Peterborough has recorded:
- 37,737 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of December 17, 2021
- 778 cases in the five days from December 13-17, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 389 deaths by December 17 within 28 days of a positive test, with the latest on December 11, 9 and 8, two on December 6, one on December 4, two on December 2 and one on December 1
- 426 deaths, as of December 3, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
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