LevellerLive

This week to today, 9 June, there were 50 new confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Somerset. Clearly COVID 19 has not “gone away.” But it is indicative of a level of infection that would not usually be called a pandemic. This much is encouraging.

Yes the number of infections is higher than last week. However looking across the past 2 months the trajectory of infection levels is falling. Whilst it is not clear if the Indian variant of the virus is in Somerset, the infection rates continue suggest not.

The table below illustrates the point. It tracks the weekly number of infections in recent weeks:

• 50 to 9 June
• 31 to 2 June
• 19 to 26 May
• nil to 19 May
• 92 to 13 May
• 81 to 5 May
• 79 to 28 April
• 63 to 21 April
• 19 to 16 April
• 103 to 7 April

Before we go any further however, our usual health warning about the figures.  Unlike NHS data these numbers include care homes and incidences of COVID 19 “at home”. The data is prepared to 9 June for cases (although different dates are used for some of the other figures – for instance deaths are reported to 28 May). The reason for this delay is to keep the numbers accurate – or should we say as accurate as possible. The daily totals published by the NHS are subject to constant revision, as not unreasonably, the data is constantly being updated to improve accuracy. It is also worth noting that the SCC area does not include North Somerset (so Weston hospital) or BANES (So the RUH in Bath) both of which are separate administrative areas.

This week there was a further update on deaths from COVID 19 in our area, albeit the figures are to the 28 May. We are really pleased to be able to report that once again there have been no deaths from the virus in our patch

The R number (reproduction rate) for the South West this week continues to be in a range either side of 1. The fact that for over a month it has been quoted in a range of 0.8 to 1.2 is unhelpful. Today it is set at 0.8-1.1 as it was last week. The point of this figure appears to be to illustrates the risk that numbers could rise as easily as fall. It is becoming increasingly out of step with the actual numbers of cases being reported.

The vaccination programme figures for Somerset have also been updated. Progress continues to be made as the numbers show. It is an impressive performance from our local NHS.

• Over 90% of those aged over 65 have now had 2 jabs.
• Over 90% of every age group over 50 have had at least one jab.
• Progress continues to focus on younger age groups. 80% of all those aged over 40 have now had at least one jab.
• Meanwhile the number of people under the age of 40 who had vaccinations has risen from 49,028 to 53,641.

However, as always, we have attached the full data set here so you can draw your own conclusions: