Agenda item

The Board considered a presentation from Matt Pearce (Agenda Item 4) on the Covid-19 Situational Report. Key points were as follows:

·         Data for the period to 10 August showed the proportion of West Berkshire residents testing positive with Covid-19 was 7.1 percent, which was in line with the  average for the South East region.

·         There were 243 cases per 100,000 in West Berkshire, which was below the South East and national averages and below the other Berkshire local authorities.

·         Amongst the 60+ age group, there were 90.3 cases per 100,000 – the data showed an upward trend.

·         There were currently around 400 Covid cases per week, with a total of 9,436 cases since the start of the pandemic.

·         There was uncertainty about the future trends and the impacts of people continuing to practice social distancing and wearing masks. Also schools were due to return in September, which may impact on the rate of transmission.

·         The highest rates of transmission were seen amongst the 15-34 age groups.

·         Also, the most recent data showed higher case rates amongst the more deprived areas, although care needed to be taken in interpreting the data due to low numbers. It was noted that contributory factors may include larger household sizes and the type of work that people were doing.

·         There were no significant patterns in ward level data. There had been a few outbreaks towards the west of the District, but there were no concerns in terms of regularity / frequency.

·         There had been four new Covid related admissions on 8^th August. There had been a gradual upward trend since July, but numbers remained low.

·         There were 22 confirmed Covid patients and three on mechanical ventilation in Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) on 10^th August. This included vaccinated as well as unvaccinated individuals.

·         There had been no new Covid related deaths in West Berkshire in the most recent two week period. Since March 2020, the mortality rate had been 15 percent higher than the previous 5 year average, with 260 additional deaths.

The Chairman noted that the increase in cases amongst the 60+ age group and asked how badly they were being affected by Covid. Matthew Pearce noted that people’s behaviour was changing as restrictions had been lifted, with older people going out more and being exposed to the virus. He confirmed that the vaccinations did not prevent people from contracting the virus, but it did mean that they were less likely to be seriously ill. He recognised that people were socialising and community transmission was high.

Councillor Steve Masters noted that people living in deprived areas may be less likely to be able to take time off work and asked if it was likely there could be an element of under-reporting and less testing amongst these communities. Matt Pearce indicated that further analysis was required. He highlighted the Test and Trace Grant and other support available to individuals and this was being promoted through local communications. He was aware that there had been reporting nationally that some people were reluctant to take time off work, but there was no local evidence to be able to corroborate this in West Berkshire. Councillor Masters asked if there were plans to look at this. Matt Pearce confirmed that this could be taken away as an action through the Covid Co-ordination Cell. For example, an anonymous survey could be used to seek feedback from residents.

Councillor Martha Vickers had heard that some employers were not allowing staff time off work to get vaccinated. She wondered if this was an issue locally, and if so, whether the Council would be able to discuss this with employers. Matt Pearce confirmed that the Council could work though the Public Protection Partnership to encourage employers to give staff time off to get their vaccination. He also stressed the importance of making vaccinations available outside of core hours.

Councillor Vickers also indicated that she had heard that some older people had experienced problems in attending appointments due to mobility issues and advocated vaccinations within community settings.

The Chairman explained that West Berkshire had relatively few Lower Super Output Areas within the most deprived deciles, and so it was difficult to make comparisons. Matt Pearce agreed that the number of people affected was very small.