COVID-19 Weekly Surveillance Report

• A total of 285 Northamptonshire residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week • Mixing between households continues to be the greatest cause of transmission locally • The most positive tests in the last week were found in 10 to 19 year olds, closely followed by 30 to 39 year olds • still has one of the highest case rates in at 55.4 per 100,000 population but this continues to reduce • has overtaken Corby with one of the highest rates in England at 62.7 per 100,000 population

Data up to 18 April 2021 Four Step Roadmap

th Step 1 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 On Monday 12 April residents of Northamptonshire 8-29 Changes Not before Not before 17 May Not before and across England took Step 2 on the four-step March on 29 March 12 April *Review of social 21 June ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown. The next step will not be distancing before 17 May and will only be taken if the COVID-19 Children back to Rule of 6 or 2 Opening of non- Most legal restrictions on Government hopes to be data shows that it is safe to do so. School/College households meet essential shops meeting others outdoors in a position to remove all outdoors hairdressers, will be lifted, although legal limits on social gyms, zoos, gatherings of over 30 contact holiday campsites people will remain illegal. and personal care Indoors, the ‘Rule of 6’ or Only when the government is sure that it is safe to services 2 households will apply move from each step to the next will the final decision be made. The decision will be based on four tests: Outdoor Outdoor activity Funerals up to 30 Most businesses in all Government hopes to • The vaccine deployment programme continues recreation/exercis facilities open and mourners. but the highest risk reopen remaining successfully e with one person formally organised Weddings, sectors will be able to premises, including outside your outdoor sports receptions and reopen nightclubs, and ease the • Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective household commemorative restrictions on large in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those events 15 events and performances vaccinated that apply in Step 3 • Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable Care home End of ‘stay at Hospitality Up to 30 people will be pressure on the NHS residents – one home’ rule but work venues serve able to attend weddings, regular visitor from home if can people outdoors receptions and wakes, as • Assessment of the risks is not fundamentally and no holidays well as funerals changed by new Variants of Concern

2 Step 2: Current Rules and Guidance

3 Take Care in the Open Air • Have you heard about our COVID -19 safety awareness campaign called ‘Take care in the Open air’? • We want to remind residents to stay alert and stay 2m apart, avoid face to face and physical contact, not to share drinks, avoid shouting and to be aware of surface transmission while outside. • In a bid to stop the spread we are also advising residents to contactless payments where possible, sanitise/ wash their hands and discard face coverings safely in the bin.

4 Everything We Do Is Stopping The Spread • Anyone in England can now get regular rapid lateral flow tests without having symptoms. About one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others. Getting regular tests is the only way to know if you have the virus and if people test positive and self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading. We are urging you to test yourself regularly if you are somebody who goes out to work, is responsible for a child who attends secondary school, is visiting a care home or will be in the company of those who might be vulnerable to the virus. It’s the only way to really know if you are infectious and to keep the people around you safe. It takes thirty minutes for a result and the more you do it, the easier it gets. Testing will be a part of normal life for the foreseeable future in Northamptonshire and across the nation – let’s just get on with it and make it part of our day-to-day routine.

• Make sure you get the first and second dose of the vaccination when the call comes. The latest analysis shows that the COVID-19 vaccinations are continuing to prevent hundreds of hospital admissions and deaths nationally every day. Second doses are crucial to maximising the strength and duration of your protection from COVID-19. The not so good news is that while the vaccines have a striking impact on mortality, we don’t confidently know yet how much these vaccines will reduce the risk of you passing COVID-19 onto others. So, even if you have been vaccinated, it is really important that you continue to act like you have the virus and be careful with those around you. Care home and domiciliary staff who haven’t yet received their first dose are now able to use the national NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Booking Service – call 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination, to book an appointment – they will need to take a form of ID to their appointment. For pregnant women reading this: We encourage them to discuss the risks and benefits with their clinician. Please note that there have been no specific safety concerns identified with any brand of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines in relation to pregnancy however, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that it’s preferable for pregnant women in the UK to be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines where available. There is no evidence to date to suggest that other vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women, but more research is needed and, in the meantime, these two are preferable.

• We all know by now that we need to follow the mantra ‘Hands. Face. Space. Fresh Air’ as we go about our daily lives, get our first and second dose of the vaccination when called, get tested regularly and isolate immediately if the result is positive. It’s still really important to socially distance by 2 metres when we are meeting people outdoors who are not in our household or care bubble. The further you can keep away from other people, the less likely you are to catch COVID-19 and pass it on to others. The closer you are to a person with COVID-19 (even those without symptoms), the more likely you are to become infected. It's all of our responsibility to ensure that we progress to step three, and finally step four. On the government’s ‘roadmap.’ It is wholly dependent upon the data and not the dates set out by government so, let’s keep on keeping on! It is within our gift to stop the virus from taking hold again. We can, and we will, get back to some sense of normality soon if we all work together. 5 Free Rapid COVID-19 Testing • Everyone in Northamptonshire can now access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing. The tests are available for home use or at test centres, workplaces and schools. You can get these tests from your local test site, pharmacies or order them on gov.uk and get home deliveries. The test is called a Lateral Flow Test and involves a swab of the mouth and nose and provides a result within 30 minutes. • The aim of testing people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms is to identify those who may be infectious without being aware in order to reduce spread of the virus. If positive, the test means you are infectious and must start self-isolating at home immediately and complete 10 days of self-isolation. • The test does not tell you if you are COVID-free so all COVID-secure measures must be exercised even if you get a negative result. You must continue to follow COVID guidelines and remember to wash your hands, wear a face covering indoors and maintain a 2m distance from others. • Testing slots must be booked online in advance and priority is given to those who are unable to work from home and/or adults in a childcare support bubble. It is advisable for those people working in these sectors to take up the opportunity to get tested at least on a weekly basis, if possible, twice weekly to help to reduce the spread of the virus. • Nine COVID-19 Rapid Testing Centres are open in Northamptonshire for adults who are not showing symptoms of COVID-19. Information leaflets at the sites are available in English, Lithuanian and Romanian, Russian and Polish. • The community-based testing sites, as well as being a collection point for test kit orders, are at: • Danes Camp Leisure Centre, • Lodge Park Sports Centre and Hazelwood Neighbourhood Centre, Corby • Leisure Centre, • Redwell Leisure Centre, Wellingborough • Leisure Centre, Daventry • The University of Northampton, Northampton - restricted to use by students and university staff only • North Pavilion Drive, • A “pop-up” centre is now open at Hall Park, Hall, the first of its kind within Northamptonshire

6 Got Symptoms? Get Tested

• To find out more information about local testing sites visit: Northamptonshire COVID-19 Testing Update.

• Tests can be booked online at NHS COVID-19 or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered subject to availability.

• It is vital that when you leave the house to be tested you must go straight to the testing centre and return home immediately to self- isolate until you get your results.

7 Total and Weekly Summary A total of 48,604 positive cases have been identified in Northamptonshire to date. Of this number, 285 were identified in the last week, 12th April to 18th April 2021.

This graph shows the total number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Northamptonshire each week since 25th January 2021. Weekly case numbers peaked in January, after which they steadily declined and continued to reduce at a slower rate since the end of February.

This week’s case total represents a decrease of 20% when compared to the previous week and is 51% lower than that seen in the week of 15th March 2021.

The latest week’s figures are likely to increase further as data for the most recent days are subject to reporting delays.

8 Rates of Cases by Area The data in this table shows us what the total and most recent week’s positive COVID-19 case numbers for each Cumulative Compared to Compared to area in Northamptonshire would look like if they all had Rate per rate per Northants rate 9 England rate 9 the exact same population size (100,000). Area 100,000 9 Apr 100,000 to Apr to 15 Apr Apr to 15 Apr to 15 Apr 2021 15 Apr 2021 2021 2021 Northamptonshire’s infection rate per 100,000 population for the most recent week up to 15th April is 40.8 which is Northamptonshire 6,438 40.8 - Sig higher significantly higher than the national average (25.8). 6,177 46.8 Similar Sig higher ’s rate (35.6) and North Northamptonshire’s rate (46.8) are both significantly Corby 7,997 55.4 Similar Sig higher higher than the national average but similar to 5,061 28.6 Similar Similar Northamptonshire average.

Kettering 5,907 45.2 Similar Sig higher All district and borough area infection rates are Wellingborough 6,195 62.7 Sig higher Sig higher significantly higher than or similar to the national average. Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering, West Northamptonshire 6,663 35.6 Similar Sig higher Daventry and Corby’s rates are significantly higher than Daventry 4,934 41.9 Similar Sig higher the national average.

Northampton 8,046 36.5 Similar Sig higher Even though Corby’s rate has been slowly falling since th South Northamptonshire 4,950 27.5 Similar Similar 26 March, Corby continues to have one of the highest case rates in England. Wellingborough now has a higher Source: Gov.uk Coronavirus Dashboard case rate than Corby and is also one of the worst *Please note that the word sig means ‘significant’, which is a affected areas in England. We must continue to adhere statistical term that simply means that the research is valid. to the rules and try to reduce any risk of transmission.

9 Rate of Weekly Lab Confirmed Cases This graph includes all testing data up to 15th April. Recent data shows that Northamptonshire’s rate of cases in the last seven days remains above the England average. All areas currently have weekly total rates above the England average. All district and borough areas except for South Northamptonshire have seen a decreasing or plateauing trend in case rates in the recent week. The case rate in South Northamptonshire has continued to rise since 10th April. Wellingborough’s rate is currently the highest of the seven district and borough areas and has plateaued in the last week. It now has one of the highest rates in England. Although Corby’s rate has decreased notably since the Source: Gov.uk Coronavirus Dashboard. end of March, it remains one of the highest in England and the second highest rate in Northamptonshire. * These are 7-day rolling total numbers of cases as a rate per 100,000 population – this is done to even out the fluctuations we see in testing volumes on weekdays vs weekends. 10 Total Cases by Area

This table shows the total number of people who have Total cases Cases in week 12 Change from tested positive for COVID-19 up to 18th April 2021 in Area to 18 Apr Apr to 18 Apr previous Northamptonshire by area. 2021 2021 week The most recent week’s data shows a decrease of 20% Northamptonshire 48,604 285 Decrease when compared to previous week. Northamptonshire’s North Northamptonshire 21,546 122 Decrease total weekly case trend continues to decline slowly from a Corby 5,785 28 Decrease plateauing trend seen since the beginning of March.

East Northamptonshire 4,788 19 Decrease In the last week, North Northamptonshire recorded a Kettering 6,025 36 Decrease decrease in cases while West Northamptonshire saw an increase in cases. Daventry and South Northamptonshire Wellingborough 4,948 39 Decrease saw increases while Corby, Kettering, East West Northamptonshire 27,058 163 Increase Northamptonshire and Wellingborough recorded Daventry 4,253 36 Increase decreases in total cases when compared to the previous week. Northampton 18,123 106 Decrease South Northamptonshire 4,682 21 Increase Please note that extreme caution must be applied when viewing week on week changes. To see the overall changes in areas in context please see slides 17, 18 and 19.

11 Percent changes in recent 7-day case rates This chart shows percentage changes in case rates over the last 3 months up to 15th April 2021. Percentage changes are calculated by comparing to the previous non-overlapping 7-day period. It shows that Northamptonshire’s case rates have, since mid-January, decreased following the implementation of national lockdown policies. However, Northamptonshire saw a slight increase in case rates at the start of stage one of Step 1 on the ‘Four Step Roadmap’ of easing lockdown measures in March 2021. The most recent week’s data indicates that case rates are decreasing more slowly than previously seen.

* Data for the last 5 days are not displayed as they will be incomplete. Source: Gov.uk Coronavirus Dashboard

12 Recent Cases by Age and Gender

This graph shows the number of positive test results for COVID-19 in Northamptonshire over the last 28 days by gender and by ten-year age band.

Overall, more women than men tested positive for COVID- 19 in the last 28 days.

For both males and females, the age group with the most positive tests was 10 to 19 year olds, closely followed by 30 to 39 year olds.

Out of the ten-year age bands, secondary school age children have the highest case numbers but working age adults are a close second.

Over the last 4-week period there have been steady decreases in numbers of cases amongst people aged 60+.

*Please refer to the gov.uk coronavirus dashboard heat map for more information on cases in specific age groups.

13 Hospital Beds Occupied by Confirmed COVID-19 Patients

This chart shows the trend in numbers of beds at Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals occupied by COVID-19 patients since 1st August 2020.

It shows that the number of beds occupied due to COVID-19 remained relatively steady over the late summer through to mid-October, at which point numbers of patients in hospital began to increase sharply.

The number of patients in hospital due to COVID-19 has been on a decreasing trend since mid-January, although the rate of decline has recently slowed. The latest data shows a total of 14 COVID-19 patients occupied hospital beds in Northamptonshire on 20th April 2021.

14 Deaths Within 28 Days of Positive Test This table shows total number of deaths of people who had a Total deaths Deaths in week Change from positive test result for COVID-19 and died within 28 days of the Area to 18 Apr 12 Apr to 18 previous first positive test, reported up to 18th April 2021 for 2021 Apr 2021 week Northamptonshire by area. Northamptonshire 1,394 4 Decrease In the most recent week, most areas have seen a decrease or North Northamptonshire 642 2 Increase no change in total deaths when compared to the previous Corby 125 0 No change week. However, Wellingborough and Daventry saw an increase from 0 to 1 death. Corby, East Northamptonshire and East Northamptonshire 185 0 No change South Northamptonshire have seen no deaths in the last three Kettering 194 1 No change weeks. Wellingborough 138 1 Increase Due to the impact of the COVID-19 vaccination in the elderly West Northamptonshire 752 2 Decrease and most vulnerable people and the positive impact lockdown Daventry 135 1 Increase has had on community transmission, the number of deaths continue to reduce to levels similar to that seen at the start of Northampton 505 1 Decrease the pandemic and end of the first wave. South Northamptonshire 112 0 No change We must continue to work together more than ever to reduce Source: Gov.uk Coronavirus Dashboard numbers of deaths as recent scientific evidence suggests that • People who died more than 28 days after their first positive test are not included, whether or not COVID-19 was the cause of death. new variants of COVID-19 in the UK may be deadlier than the • The latest week’s figures are likely to increase further as data for the most recent days are subject to original virus. reporting delays.

15 Education Status This chart shows the trend in 7-day average cases recorded in education settings in the last 28 days for both staff and pupils.

It shows that weekly average case volumes were high up to 31st March, after which they decreased rapidly. Recent data shows that the 7-day average case totals have started to rise again, particularly in pupils.

The table shows the proportion of education settings having recorded at least one case over a 4-week period. The proportion of schools with recent cases has decreased since March. % of Education settings % of Education settings Date range recorded at least 1 case in recorded no cases in the 4 On 21st April 2021, a total of 0 education settings were the 4 week period week period closed, which represents no change when compared to previous week of 14th April 2021. 24 Mar to 21 Apr 2021 12% 88% 17 Mar to 14 Apr 2021 15% 85% Please note that cases amongst pupils have reduced in 10 Mar to 7 Apr 2021 20% 80% the last three weeks which may have been due to lower levels of testing during the school holidays and changes 3 Mar to 31 Mar 2021 24% 76% to levels of mixing over Easter.

16 Cases by Community – Last 28 Days

The chart shows the local communities within Northamptonshire where COVID-19 infections over the last 28 days are highest.

Knowing the areas with the highest case numbers in the last 28 days help us to prioritise and focus our support locally.

17 Case Rates by Community – Last 28 Days per 100,000 population

These graphics show what positive COVID- 19 case numbers over the last 28 days would look like if each local community had the exact same size population (100,000).

The map illustrates the 28-day infection rate per 100,000 population across Northamptonshire.

• Please note that the numbers shown on this page represent the best possible estimate we can make from a wider range of numbers, because there is always a margin of error when calculating cases per 100,000 population – particularly where actual case numbers are small.

18 Change in Case Rates by Community – Fortnightly per 100,000 population

If each community had the exact same size Rank Name population (100,000) in Northamptonshire, 1. Boughton (Nton) this graphic shows how COVID-19 case 2. Lodge Farm (Nton) numbers in the last 14 days would have 3. Sunnyside (Nton) changed in each community compared to 4. Brickhill (Wboro) the previous 14 days. 5. Wootton & (Nton) 6. Moulton (Nton) We have seen decreases in case rates in 7. Central Wellingborough (Wboro) most of our areas in Northamptonshire. 8. Abington Vale (Nton) 9. Rixon (Wboro) However, the 15 areas with the greatest 10. Clipston, Naseby & (Dav) increases in case rates are listed next to the 11. Silverstone & Syresham & Helmdon (SN) map. 12. , & Harrowden (Wboro) 13. Corby Town (Cor) Areas with increases in rates of infection 14. Braunston & Crick (Dav) show us where we need to prioritise and 15. East & Paulerspury (SN) focus our support locally.

• Please note that the numbers shown on this page represent the best possible estimate we can make from a wider range of numbers, because there is always a margin of error when calculating cases per 100,000 population – particularly where actual case numbers are small.

19 Summary of Outbreaks 19/04/2021

Two or more cases linked by place and time to that setting. Totals are 28 day counts for care homes and hospitals, and 14 day counts for all other locations.

In the last 28 days Corby Daventry East Northants Kettering Northampton South Northants Wellingborough Northants total Case total

Outbreaks 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 5 79 Care home/service 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 3 14 Childcare 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Workplace 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 65 Education 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hospital/healthcare 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

• Please note that this summary covers all situations classified as ‘active’. An active situation has had at least 1 positive case within the previous 28 days. • Outbreaks are pended if there are no new cases reported for Care homes/Health care in 14 days and 7 days for others. • Although outbreaks have increased this week and are related to a particular setting - it is important to note that the majority of cases are due to community household transmission. 20 21 COVID-19: Keep Up to Date

• Watch: Public Health Northamptonshire’s weekly press conference live streamed on YouTube with cross county partners from the NHS, Police and Education.

• Listen: To BBC Radio Northampton’s interviews with Director of Public Health Lucy Wightman twice weekly: Tuesday live at 08.10am and a pre-record aired at 5.10pm on Thursdays.

• Read: Northamptonshire’s Director of Public Health, Lucy Wightman’s weekly column in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo online and in the newspaper for the very latest insights and advice.

• Study: Our weekly surveillance reports on the North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire websites.

• Look out for: Our advertising campaigns on buses, at bus stops, GOMO vans and i-walkers, (digital screens on vans and people that share our messages), Geo-locate techniques using location messaging on mobile devices and both digital and non-digital outdoor advertising boards.

• Follow us: on @NorthantsPH and Facebook @PublicHealthNorthants.

21 Help, Guidance and Fines

• Government Financial support is now available for eligible individuals who have to self-isolate for up to 14 days. Details of financial support can be found here.

• Northamptonshire County Council has put together a Self-isolation support pack for residents.

• Those who do not follow Test and Trace guidance, or those who breach self-isolation, or lockdown legislation will be fined £1,000.

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