Covid-19 cases in Cambridgeshire: Latest figures for every neighbourhood to January 8 show rapid spread of virus
The rapid spread of Covid-19 has continued apace in Cambridgeshire, the latest figures show, with record numbers of cases in many areas.
In a week when the UK’s third national lockdown was imposed, and the vaccination effort stepped up, the numbers made for sobering reading - and were a stark reminder of the need to stay at home.
Below we look in detail at the impact of the virus on every area of the county. The figures may also reflect the impact of increased mixing on Christmas Day, when restrictions were temporarily lifted.
Cambridgeshire as a whole recorded 3,269 cases, up 1,395 on the previous week (74.4 per cent) as the new variant of the Covid-19 virus - which is 50 to 70 per cent more transmissible - spread throughout communities.
The infection rate of 500.2 cases per 100,000 was narrowly above the national average.
About one in 56 in Cambridgeshire are thought to have had the coronavirus in the period between December 28 and January 2, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Its modelling suggests 1.8 per cent of the population were infected with Covid-19.
Cambridge
Cambridge recorded its highest weekly number of Covid-19 cases in the seven days to January 3, with 693, up 276 (66.2 per cent) week-on-week.
This took the infection rate to a new high of 555.3 cases per 100,000 people, up from 334.1 and above the national average.
Every area of the city was affected, with Coleridge recording the most cases - 79 - followed by Romsey (65), Trumpington (62), Arbury (61), Central and West Cambridge (60) and Cherry Hinton (60).
Daily data shows a further 394 cases recorded in the city between January 4 and 8.
There has been one coronavirus-related death within 28 days of a positive test in Cambridge this year - on January 1, taking the total to 50, or 84 if all deaths mentioning coronavirus on the death certificate are taken into account.
South Cambridgeshire
There were 732 positive Covid-19 cases confirmed in South Cambridgeshire in the week to January 3, up 242 (49.4 per cent) on the previous week. This took the infection rate to 460.1 cases per 100,000 - up from 308 a week earlier, but narrowly below the national average.
All areas of the district were affected, but worst hit was Longstanton, Swavesey and Oakington with 64 cases, while Cambourne had 61, Histon, Impington and Orchard Park had 59 and Milton, Fen Ditton and Quy had 58.
Daily data shows there have been a further 439 cases in the five days between January 4 and 8. Of these, 159 were confirmed on Monday January 4 - this was the district’s second highest daily total of the pandemic, beaten only by December 29, when 192 tested positive.
The worst rolling seven-day period for cases in South Cambridgeshire was the seven days to January 2, with 742.
There have been five Covid-19 deaths within 28 days of a positive test in South Cambridgeshire this year, taking the total to 54. If all deaths mentioning Covid-19 on the death certificate, up to Christmas Day, are taken into account, this total is 72.
East Cambridgeshire
East Cambridgeshire recorded 441 cases, up 191 (76.4 per cent) in the week to January 3. This took the infection rate to 490.9 per 100,000, up from 278.3 the previous week, and just below the national average.
By far the worst affected area was Soham, with 101 cases, while Littleport had 59 and Haddenham, Stretham and Witchford had 58 and North Ely had 54.
Daily data shows a further 189 cases between January 4 and 8.
The seven-day rolling period to January 2 was the worst in terms of case in East Cambridgeshire since the pandemic began, with 442.
There have been two coronavirus-related deaths in the district this year, within 28 days of a positive test, taking the total to 45 by January 8. The number of deaths mentioning Covid-19 on the death certificate, up to Christmas Day, is 84.
Huntingdonshire
The infection rate in Huntingdonshire for the week to January 3 was just above the national average, at 527.1 cases per 100,000 - up markedly from 282.1 the previous week.
There were 938 cases in the district in the week, up by 436 (86.9 per cent) - the highest week-on-week rise in any part of the county.
All areas recorded case numbers in double figures, but Somersham, Riptons and Raveleys had one of the highest records in the county, with 100 cases, while St Neots Eynesbury had 99 and Brampton, the Stukeleys and the Alconburys had 66.
Daily case data shows a further 549 cases between January 4 and 8.
The seven-day rolling period to January 2 was the worst for the district in terms of case numbers since the pandemic began, with 942.
There have been seven coronavirus-related deaths in the district this year to date, with the latest two confirmed on Friday January 8. This takes the total to 134 within 28 days of a positive test. There had been 148 by Christmas Day mentioning Covid-19 on the death certificate are taken into account.
Fenland
The seven-day period to January 3 was the worst yet in terms of positive Covid-19 cases in Fenland as numbers doubled from the previous week.
There were 465 confirmed, up 250 (116.3 per cent), taking the infection rate to 456.6 - up from 211.1 the previous week, although still just below the national average.
Worst affected was Wisbech South and Peckover, with 79, while Chatteris had 57, Whittlesea had 51 and Wisbech St Mary, Waldersea and Christchurch had 50.
There have been six coronavirus-related deaths in Fenland this year, to January 8, within 28 days of a positive test, taking the total to 118.
Peterborough
Peterborough recorded another 968 cases, up 156 (19.2 per cent), in the week to January 3.
This took the infection rate to 478.6 per 100,000 - up from 401.5 a week earlier and narrowly below the national average.
All areas were affected, but Peterborough Central and Central Park were worst hit with 82 each, while Fengate and Parnwell had 76, as did Hampton Vale.
Daily data shows a further 593 cases in the five days from January 4-8.
The four individual days when the highest number of confirmed cases were recorded in Peterborough have all come since Christmas Day - December 29 (240 cases), January 4 (193), January 2 (169) and December 30 (149).
The worst rolling seven-day period for case was the week to January 2, with 984.
There have, sadly, been 17 coronavirus-related deaths in the city this year, as of January 8, taking the total to 193.
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