Covid-19 in Cambridgeshire analysed: Overall fall in cases during half-term masks rise among adult and senior age groups
Half-term week brought a welcome decline in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Cambridgeshire, primarily among the younger population, but the infection rate actually rose among many adult and senior age groups.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are now officially designated as an Enhanced Response Area by the government, a status that began on Monday (November 1) and will last for at least five weeks in an effort to drive down transmission, bolster the vaccination programme, protect the vulnerable and ease the extreme pressure on the NHS.
Below, we look in detail at every area of the county, down to a neighbourhood level, to show how they are affected by the virus.
Cambridgeshire had 2,837 cases in the seven days to October 31, which was down 522 (15.5 per cent) on the previous week.
The infection rate of 431.7 cases per 100,000 people remains stubbornly above the national average of 412.4, and some parts of the county were significantly higher.
While the overall decline in case numbers is welcome, our analysis shows a more complex picture emerging, with infection rates coming down significantly in the most commonly affected age groups - 10-14, 5-9 and 15-19 - during half-term, but rising in ‘parent age’ groups. There were more cases in those aged 40-44. 45-49 and 50-54 in the week to October 31 than either of the two previous weeks.
Most concerning of all, perhaps, is the rise in infection rates among those aged 60-64, 65-69 and 70-74.
This week, the Cambridge Independent reported how Cambridge University Hospitals chief executive Roland Sinker has told of the huge pressure on Addenbrooke’s, which has had hundreds of staff off sick, rising Covid cases to deal with and very high demand on its services. Mr Sinker warned the hospital, which has had to close some of its beds for infection control measures, may have to send patients to London or Birmingham if the situation does not ease.
Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, has now recorded:
- 70,490 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 5, 2021
- 1,345 in the five days from November 1-5 according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 875 deaths by November 5 within 28 days of a positive test, with the latest on November 4 and 3, three on November 2, two on October 31, one on October 30 and two on October 29
- 1,043 deaths, as of October 22, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
- Peterborough had an additional 984 cases (down 234 or 19.2 per cent) in the week to October 31, and an infection rate of 485.6, as detailed below.
Hospitalisations
Addenbrooke’s Hospital had 60 Covid patients on its wards on Tuesday (November 2), with nine on ventilation.
The hospital admitted 12 Covid patients on October 26 alone - its highest daily figures since February 10. And it admitted 10, nine and eight in the three days that followed, adding to pressure to a hospital that has had to cancel some operations.
The Royal Papworth Hospital had eight Covid patients that day, six of whom were on ventilation.
Vaccinations
The number of vaccinations, excluding boosters, administered in Cambridgeshire has now topped the one million mark. The 1,008,873 jabs given comprise 525,109 first doses (78.8 per cent of the population) and 483,764 second doses (72.6).
Cambridgeshire is lagging behind the regional figures, with four in five people over the age of 12 (80.2 per cent) now having received their first dose in the East of England, while 73.8 per cent have had two.
There is concern, in particular, about take-up rates in Cambridge, and the county’s new Enhanced Response Area status will aim to improve it with targeted campaigns in areas where vaccination rates are lagging.
Latest figures show 108,144 first jabs - officially just 64.9 per cent of the population - and 97,249 second doses - only 58.3 per cent of the population - have been administered in Cambridge, although uncertainty over its fluctuating population means the percentages may be an underestimate.
More than a third (36.1 per cent) of those aged 12-15 in Cambridge have been vaccinated, along with 53.6 per cent of those aged 16-17 and 61.6 per cent of those aged 18-24.
Cambridge
Covid-19 case numbers fell by 15.3 per cent in the week to October 31, with 365 recorded, down 66 on the previous seven days.
The infection rate was 291.9 cases per 100,000 people, below the national average.
Cherry Hinton, with 44 cases, had the highest number, with Romsey recording 39 and East Chesterton 36.
In Trumpington, case numbers halved in a week from 61 to 31, while in West Chesterton they fell from 35 to 13.
But the city recorded three deaths within 28 days of a positive test at the end of October.
Cambridge has recorded:
- 13,192 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 5, 2021
- 228 in the five days from November 1-5, according daily case data, which is subject to change
- 104 deaths by November 5 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which were on October 31, 29 and 27
- 144 deaths, as of October 22, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate.
South Cambridgeshire
There was a small decline in cases in South Cambridgeshire in the week to October 31.
There were 782, down 43 (5.2 per cent) on the previous seven days, taking the infection rate to 486 cases per 100,000 people, which was above the national average of 412.4.
Cambourne, with 87 cases, continued to have the highest number of cases in the district, followed by Papworth, Caxton and Fen Drayton, with 78. Linton and Balsham had 65.
South Cambridgeshire recorded
- 15,826 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 5, 2021
- 377 cases in the five days from November 1-5, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 170 deaths by November 5 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which was on October 24
- 217 deaths, as of October 22, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
East Cambridgeshire
There were 570 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the week to October 31, down just 13 (2.2 per cent) on the previous seven days.
The infection rate of 632.1 cases per 100,000 people was well above the national average and the highest in Cambridgeshire.
Soham was the worst hit area, with 112 cases, up from 107, while North Ely had 74 and Littleport had 65.
The district had three deaths on a day on November 2.
East Cambridgeshire has recorded:
- 8,993 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of October 29, 2021
- 211 cases in the five days from November 1-5, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 97 deaths by November 5 within 28 days of a positive test, including three on November 2 and one on October 31
- 117 deaths, as of October 22, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Huntingdonshire
Cases in Huntingdonshire declined by nearly a fifth in the week to October 31.
There were 730, down 180 (19.8 per cent) on the previous seven days, with the infection rate falling to 407.9 cases per 100,000, narrowly below the 412.4 national average.
Houghton, Hemingford and Fenstanton was worst hit with 69 cases, while Yaxley and Farcet had 56.
Huntingdonshire has recorded:
- 20,110 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 5, 2021
- 363 cases in the five days from November 1-5, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 271deaths by November 5 within 28 days of a positive test, the last of which were on November 4 and October 29
- 315 deaths, as of October 22, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Fenland
There was a welcome drop of more than a third in Covid cases in the week to October 31.
There were 390 recorded, down 220 (36.1 per cent) on the previous seven days, with the infection rate down to 382.1 cases per 100,000 people, below the national average.
Whittlesey had 53 cases, while March North had 41 and Wisbech South and Peckover had 39.
Fenland has recorded:
- 12,369 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 5, 2021
- 166 cases in the five days from November 1-5, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 233 deaths by November 5 within 28 days of a positive test, the latest of which were on November 3 and October 30
- 250 deaths, as of October 22, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
Peterborough
The number of Covid-19 cases fell by nearly a fifth in Peterborough in the week to October 31.
There were 984 cases, down 234 (19.2 per cent) on the previous week, taking the infection rate to 485.6 cases per 100,000, which was above the national average.
Hampton Vale, with 123 cases, down slightly from 129, was worst hit again, while Stanground had 89 and West Town and Woodston recorded 83.
Peterborough has recorded:
- 31,941 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, as of November 5, 2021
- 454 cases in the five days from November 1-5, according to daily case data, which is subject to change
- 372 deaths by November 5 within 28 days of a positive test, with the latest pon November 3, 2 and October 31
- 410 deaths, as of October 22, in which Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate
The global picture
Vaccinations by country
Hospitalisations
Variants
Read more
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and stay up to date with Cambridge healthcare
Find out about our new premium, ad-free website as part of our digital subscription package
