Berkshire Weekly COVID-19 Briefing
2nd December 2020
The information included in this briefing is correct at 2nd December 10am
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Berkshire Weekly COVID-19 Briefing
This briefing has been produced to share the latest local COVID-19 information with a wider audience and includes: - Current information and surveillance - Key messages from the Directors of Public Health in Berkshire and the six local authorities
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Recent changes to restrictions
National lockdown restrictions were lifted on 2nd December and replaced with local tiers.
Slough is in Tier 3: Very High alert
Bracknell Forest, Reading, West Berkshire, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham are in Tier 2: High alert
For information about what restrictions are in place in your local area, please visit the Berkshire Public Health website: https://www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk/my-local- area
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Situational Awareness The latest Public Health England (PHE) Situational Awareness Report shows that case rates decreased in all of Berkshire’s local authorities over the last week. This ranged from a 9% decrease in Slough to a 44% decrease in West Berkshire.
Situational Awareness indicators from 20th to 26th November* in comparison to previous 7-day period LA People tested per Positivity rate Cases per 100,000 Cases per 100,000 Number of 100,000 population (weekly) population - all ages population - aged 60 confirmed (7-day moving (weekly) and over cases average) (weekly) (last 7 days)
Bracknell Forest 330.0 3.9% 71.8 36.6 88 Reading 418.5 5.4% 139.1 77.4 225 Slough 445.4 11.4% 296.9 228.1 444 West Berkshire 284.0 3.4% 58.1 34.8 92 RBWM 357.3 5.0% 102.4 43.9 155 Wokingham 312.2 5.1% 99.3 60.8 170 South East 427.3 5.3% 138.7 93.5 12,358 England 422.0 6.4% 162.3 122.9 91,376 Source: PHE Regional South East Situational Awareness Report (1st December 2020) * Dates and figures refer to specimen date
The RAG ratings shown below reflect PHE’s thresholds for positivity and case rates. More information on these thresholds can be found at the end of this Briefing (slide 32).
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Situational Awareness
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Epidemiology of cases There has been a total of 14,340 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berkshire. 68% (9,683) of these cases have occurred since the beginning of October. Berkshire’s weekly rate has started to decrease since mid-November, in line with the national picture.
Weekly rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population (7-day rolling average) Data from the most recent 4 days have been excluded from the charts as these will be incomplete
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Epidemiology of cases Over the last 14 days (17th to 30th November) there were 2,219 cases confirmed for Berkshire residents: • 10% of cases were confirmed through Pillar 1 testing and 90% through Pillar 2 testing • 53% were female and 46% male • Of the cases with an ethnicity recorded - 55% were from a White background and 45% were from a BAME group • 44% of Berkshire cases were from the 35 to 64 age group and 24% were from those aged 18 to 34
Age breakdown of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days (17th -30th November)
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Deaths There have been 877 deaths related to COVID-19 in Berkshire through the whole pandemic. In the last week reported (week ending 20th November), there were 13 COVID- 19 related deaths across Berkshire, 8 of these deaths were in hospital. Berkshire’s current all-cause mortality rate is in line with what we would expect for this time of year. Since March 2020, Berkshire’s all-cause mortality rate has been 15% higher than the previous 5 year average, which equates to 721 additional deaths.
Mortality in Berkshire per 100,000 population (2020 compared to 2015-19 average)
Source: Office for National Statistics; Death registrations and occurrences by local authority
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Hospital activity
Hospital activity information is Number of hospital admissions for COVID-19 in NHS South East region not currently available for Berkshire hospitals or residents in a format that can be shared publicly. The information on this page therefore shows the latest data for the NHS South East Region. Number of patients in hospital for COVID-19 in NHS South East region On 1st December, 1,265 patients were in hospital with COVID-19 in the South East. 111 of these were on mechanical ventilation. The number of people in hospital for COVID-19 has started to level out in the South East. Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/healthcare
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Outbreaks An outbreak is defined by PHE as two or more cases with highly probable or confirmed epidemiological links. For care home settings one case counts as an outbreak.
Over the last 14 days (16th to 29th November), PHE has informed us of 47 non-residential COVID-19 outbreaks in Berkshire.
Number of new outbreaks in Berkshire by setting (16th to 29th November) LA Care Home School Work Place Other Total Bracknell Forest 0 1 1 2 4 Reading 1 3 0 2 6 Slough 3 1 0 4 8 West Berkshire 2 2 2 2 8 RBWM 6 4 0 3 13 Wokingham 1 1 0 6 8 Berkshire 13 12 3 19 47 Source: PHE Health Protection Zone Notifications
In addition to the outbreaks listed above, there are also a number of ongoing outbreaks that were identified in an earlier period.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Bracknell Forest
Cases Bracknell Forest has had 1,458 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far and 88 of these have been over the last 7 days (20th – 26th Nov).
The current weekly rate is 71.8 per 100,000 population, which is 23% lower than the week before and 43% lower than the week before that. Bracknell Forest’s rate for people aged 60 and over decreased by 55% in the last week to 36.6 per 100,000 population.
Additional information on cases at a Middle-Super Output Area (MSOA) are shown on the next slide.
Deaths There have been 83 COVID-19 related deaths during the pandemic. 3 deaths were recorded for the last week (14th - 20th Nov).
Since March 2020, Bracknell Forest’s all-cause mortality rate has been 9% higher than the previous 5 year average, which equates to 58 additional deaths.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Bracknell Forest Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases are available at a Middle Super Output Area (MSOA). These geographical areas cover populations from 5,000 to 15,000. MSOAs are named to reflect where they are situated in the Borough, but are not wards. Caution should be taken with this information, as it will be based on small numbers and can fluctuate. Data related to MSOAs with less than 3 cases have been suppressed.
Cases and weekly rates per 100,000 population for Total cases and total rates per 100,000 the latest week (20th to 26th November) population (since Mar-20)
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Bracknell Forest
To see rate and trend information at an MSOA-level, go to https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Reading
Cases Reading has had 2,732 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far and 225 of these have been over the last 7 days (20th – 26th Nov).
The current weekly rate is 139.1 per 100,000 population, which is 10% lower than the week before and 2% lower than the week before that. Reading’s rate for people aged 60 and over has decreased by 19% in the last week to 77.4 per 100,000 population.
Additional information on cases at a Middle-Super Output Area (MSOA) are shown on the next slide.
Deaths There have been 192 COVID-19 related deaths during the pandemic. 2 deaths were recorded for the last week (14th - 20th Nov).
Since March 2020, Reading’s all-cause mortality rate has been 28% higher than the previous 5 year average, which equates to 205 additional deaths.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Reading Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases are available at a Middle Super Output Area (MSOA). These geographical areas cover populations from 5,000 to 15,000. MSOAs are named to reflect where they are situated in the Borough, but are not wards. Caution should be taken with this information, as it will be based on small numbers and can fluctuate. Data related to MSOAs with less than 3 cases have been suppressed. Cases and weekly rates per 100,000 population for Total cases and total rates per 100,000 the latest week (20th to 26th November) population (since Mar-20)
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Reading
To see rate and trend information at an MSOA-level, go to https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Slough
Cases Slough has had 3,919 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far and 444 of these have been over the last 7 days (20th – 26th Nov).
The current weekly rate is 296.9 per 100,000 population, which is 9% lower than the week before and 15% lower than the week before that. In contrast, Slough’s rate for people aged 60 and over has increased slightly by 2% to 228.1 per 100,000 population.
Additional information on cases at a Middle-Super Output Area (MSOA) are shown on the next slide.
Deaths There have been 130 COVID-19 related deaths during the pandemic. 1 death was recorded in the last week (14th - 20th Nov).
Since March 2020, Slough’s all-cause mortality rate has been 11% higher than the previous 5 year average, which equates to 74 additional deaths.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Slough Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases are available at a Middle Super Output Area (MSOA). These geographical areas cover populations from 5,000 to 15,000. MSOAs are named to reflect where they are situated in the Borough, but are not wards. Caution should be taken with this information, as it will be based on small numbers and can fluctuate. Data related to MSOAs with less than 3 cases have been suppressed.
Cases and weekly rates per 100,000 population for Total cases and total rates per 100,000 the latest week (20th to 26th November) population (since Mar-20)
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Slough
To see rate and trend information at an MSOA-level, go to https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing West Berkshire
Cases West Berkshire has had 1,678 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far and 92 of these have been over the last 7 days (20th – 26th Nov).
The weekly rate is currently at 58.1 per 100,000 population, which is 44% lower than the week before and 54% lower than the week before that. West Berkshire’s rate for people aged 60 and over has decreased by 55% in the last week to 34.8 per 100,000 population.
Additional information on cases at a Middle-Super Output Area (MSOA) are shown on the next slide.
Deaths There have been 144 COVID-19 related deaths during the pandemic. 2 deaths were recorded in the last week (14th - 20th Nov).
Since March 2020, West Berkshire’s all-cause mortality rate has been 21% higher than the previous 5 year average, which equates to 181 additional deaths.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing West Berkshire Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases are available at a Middle Super Output Area (MSOA). These geographical areas cover populations from 5,000 to 15,000. MSOAs are named to reflect where they are situated in the District, but are not wards. Caution should be taken with this information, as it will be based on small numbers and can fluctuate. Data related to MSOAs with less than 3 cases have been suppressed. Cases and weekly rates per 100,000 population for Total cases and total rates per 100,000 the latest week (20th to 26th November) population (since Mar-20)
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing West Berkshire
To see rate and trend information at an MSOA-level, go to https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Cases RBWM has had 2,411 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far and 155 of these have been over the last 7 days (20th – 26th Nov).
The current weekly rate is 102.4 per 100,000 population, which is 30% lower than the week before and 48% lower than the week before that. RBWM’s rate for people aged 60 and over has decreased by 64% in the last week to 43.9 per 100,000 population.
Additional information on cases at a Middle-Super Output Area (MSOA) are shown on the next slide.
Deaths There have been 150 COVID-19 related deaths during the pandemic. 3 deaths were recorded for the last week (14th - 20th Nov).
Since March 2020, RBWM’s all-cause mortality rate has been 6% higher than the previous 5 year average, which equates to 65 additional deaths.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases are available at a Middle Super Output Area (MSOA). These geographical areas cover populations from 5,000 to 15,000. MSOAs are named to reflect where they are situated in the Borough, but are not wards. Caution should be taken with this information, as it will be based on small numbers and can fluctuate. Data related to MSOAs with less than 3 cases have been suppressed. Cases and weekly rates per 100,000 population for Total cases and total rates per 100,000 the latest week (20th to 26th November) population (since Mar-20)
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
To see rate and trend information at an MSOA-level, go to https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Wokingham
Cases Wokingham has had 2,142 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far and 170 of these have been over the last 7 days (20th – 26th Nov).
The current weekly rate is 99.3 per 100,000 population, which is 11% lower than the week before and 36% lower than the week before that. Wokingham’s rate for people aged 60 and over has decreased by 33% in the last week to 60.8 per 100,000 population.
Additional information on cases at a Middle-Super Output Area (MSOA) are shown on the next slide.
Deaths There have been 178 COVID-19 related deaths during the pandemic. 2 deaths were recorded for the last week (14th - 20th Nov).
Since March 2020, Wokingham’s all-cause mortality rate has been 12% higher than the previous 5 year average, which equates to 138 additional deaths.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Wokingham Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases are available at a Middle Super Output Area (MSOA). These geographical areas cover populations from 5,000 to 15,000. MSOAs are named to reflect where they are situated in the Borough, but are not wards. Caution should be taken with this information, as it will be based on small numbers and can fluctuate. Data related to MSOAs with less than 3 cases have been suppressed. Cases and weekly rates per 100,000 population for Total cases and total rates per 100,000 the latest week (20th to 26th November) population (since Mar-20)
Source: PHE Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Wokingham
To see rate and trend information at an MSOA-level, go to https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Summary at 2nd December 2020 • National lockdown restrictions were lifted on 2nd December and replaced with local tiers. Slough is in Tier 3: Very High alert and the other Berkshire local authorities are in Tier 2: High alert. For information about what restrictions are in place in your local area, please visit the Berkshire Public Health website: https://www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk/my-local-area
• The confirmed COVID-19 case rates decreased in all of Berkshire’s local authorities over the last week.
• Cases are decreasing in the older population groups (aged 60 and over) in 5 Berkshire local authorities. This is a particular encouraging as the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death increases with age.
• The number of inpatients in South East hospitals is starting to level out and the number of admissions has shown a slight reduction over the last week.
• There were 13 COVID-19 related deaths across Berkshire over the last reporting week (up to 20th November).
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Summary at 2nd December 2020 The most effective method of stopping transmission and outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19) is to prevent them in the first place. As we approach winter and inevitably spend more time indoors, we need to keep following advice to control the spread of the virus.
HM Government - COVID-19 Winter Plan 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan/covid-19-winter-plan
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Summary at 2nd December 2020 Get your flu jab The winter flu vaccination programme has been expanded this year to include more children and those aged 50 and over. For more details and full eligibility criteria, see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza- vaccine/
Download the NHS Test and Trace App It's the fastest way of knowing when you're at risk from COVID-19. The quicker you know, the quicker you can alert your loved ones and your community. Download at: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-covid-19/
If you show symptoms - stay at home and get a test Further information can be found online at Gov.uk/coronavirus. You can order a home test or book a test at a local testing site. You should only leave the house to access testing and wear a face covering when you do so. You should drive or walk to the site and you must not use public transport/taxi.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing Data thresholds Data thresholds included in PHE’s Situational Awareness Report:
Positivity rate This includes all individuals with a valid test result from a specimen taken in the 7-day period shown. This includes Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 test.
Red: >7.5% Amber: 4% to 7.5% Green: <4%
Weekly rate per 100,000 population (all ages)
Dark Red: 151 to Maroon: >250 Red: 51 to 150 Amber: 25 to 50 Green: <25 250
Weekly rate per 100,000 population (aged 60 and over) Dark Red: 101 to Maroon: >150 Red: 51 to 100 Amber: 25 to 50 Green: <25 150
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing For more information For the latest Berkshire COVID-19 data (cases, NHS 111 triages and deaths) please visit our new website: https://www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk/
Additional information on national, regional and neighbourhood-level data can also be found at the main government website: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing For more information More information about our local response to COVID-19 can be found in each of the local authority’s COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plans. These are available on the Council websites. These plans set out: • How outbreaks are managed when they occur • How data is used to inform control measures • Prevention and support measures for high-risk settings – including robust infection control and use of appropriate PPE • Targeted messaging to the public, businesses, partners and press • How the response can be escalated if required, including requests for support The Outbreak Control Plans are live and used every day. We work closely with a range of partners including national government, the NHS, local businesses, schools and early year’s providers, faith leaders, the voluntary and community sector and elected representatives. This engagement happens formally through our regular Health Protection Boards and Local Outbreak Engagement Boards, in addition to our daily work.
Public Health for Berkshire Working together for health and wellbeing