Two Deaths in Last Week But Local Covid-19 Infections Fall

Hospital admissions rise but remain well below January peak

Number of people on mechanical ventilators rising in local hospitals

The most recent wave of Covid-19 infections appears to have peaked in Brentford and Isleworth but deaths and hospitalisations are on the increase locally.

Two more fatalities from the virus have been reported in the borough in the last week and the local hospital trust says it is seeing increased admissions.

The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Trust, which runs the West Middlesex Hospital, reports that it has seen admissions increase by 27.8% in the week to 25 July with 46 people being treated for Covid-19 across the Trust’s hospitals. The peak of the previous wave in January saw admissions exceed 300.

The number of patients being cared for by the Trust with mechanical ventilation equipment has risen recently from a handful of cases to 11 by 27 July. This is still below the levels seen in January where the number of such patients peaked at 55.

The number of positive tests is now falling by double digits in most parts of the TW8 and TW7 postcode areas in the latest week for which data is available (up to 24 July). One notable exception is the area designated as Brentford West & Osterley Park which has seen 41 cases over the last week to give an infection rate of 515.7.

The overall rate for the borough of Hounslow is 329.3 per 100,000 which is below the London average. 857 people were infected in the borough in the most recent week a fall of 7.7% when compared to the previous week.

The total number of Covid-19 cases identified in London is 883,555 as at 28 July, this compares to 5,064,671 cases for England as a whole

In the most recent week of complete data (18 July - 24 July) 31,078 cases were identified in London, a rate of 347 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 39,226 cases and a rate of 438 for the previous week.

For the same period, 211,162 cases were identified in England as a whole, a rate of 375 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 298,842 cases and a rate of 531 for the previous week.

Up to and including 28 July 2021 5,568,601 people in London had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 4,212,465 had received two doses.

The consensus among health professionals is that the next few weeks are key. Infection rates are falling for a variety of reasons including the break up of schools, the end of the Euros, the warm weather, increased vaccination rates and the immunity received by those recently infected. However, the published data has yet to take account of the impact of ‘Freedom Day’ – the loosening of restrictions on 19 July. How much that has increased infections should become apparent in the near future but the authorities are hopeful that the factors causing downward pressure on new cases will outweigh any boost to infections caused by the changed guidelines.

Source: ONS

Kelly O’Neill, Hounslow’s Director of Public Health said, “The easing of lockdown restrictions from the 19 July shows significant progress has been made. While this is good news for our communities, businesses and economy, I want everyone to understand that it does not mean the pandemic is over. We are a long way from that. However, we now have to learn to live with COVID-19.

"Residents and businesses in the borough have listened and followed the rules. Our workplaces are safer, and as restrictions ease while infection numbers increase, I ask you to be very cautious and continue enforcing COVID-secure measures; to maintain regular testing, social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks whilst we are seeing this further spike in cases. This all reduces the risk of outbreaks. Residents and employees will be safer, and this help maintain business continuity”

The borough has launched a new campaign, ‘Take Care, Take 5’, which provides information about vaccination and community testing as well as advice about ways to look after your mental and physical health and support in taking care of your finances and employment skills.

July 30, 2021