Agenda item

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

·         Covid testing rates had increased with 11.1% testing positive.

·         The latest data showed around 543 cases per 100,000 population for all ages, which was slightly better than the South East average, but slightly worse than the national average.

·         Rates remained very high, but were relatively stable.

·         There were 156.2 cases per 100,000 population for those aged 60+, which was slightly down on the previous fortnight.

·         There had been five community outbreaks, with primary schools featuring prominently.

·         The highest infection rates were amongst 5-9 year olds (1,929 cases per 100,000 population) and 10-14 year olds (1,327 cases per 100,000 population).

·         Cases were much lower amongst 15-19 year olds, due to vaccination and immunity.

·         Numbers of Covid patients in hospitals on 30 November were as follows:

o   35 people in Royal Berkshire Hospital, with 4 patients on mechanical ventilation

o   32 people in Great Western Hospital with 2 patients on mechanical ventilation

·         There had been one Covid related death in the last week and 275 since the start of the pandemic.

·         The Omicron variant was a concern due to the number of variations and potential for evasion of immunity.

·         It was thought to be more transmissible with a shorter window to becoming infectious.

·         There were not yet large numbers of hospitalisations and deaths.

·         There had been some pockets of community transmission in the UK.

·         There was 1 confirmed case in West Berkshire.

·         Restrictions were being put in place, but would delay rather than prevent spread.

·         It was hard to draw comparisons with South Africa due to different demographics.

·         When Delta had arrived, there was low Covid-19 incidence and it was summer – with Omicron the incidence was higher and it was winter, but most people were vaccinated, which was important.

·         New control measures had been introduced.

·         All close contacts of confirmed / suspected Omicron cases would be required to isolate for 10 days.

·         Face coverings were compulsory in shops and on public transport.

·         People were advised to stay at home if unwell and to get vaccinated / have a booster when invited to do so.

·         People were advised to meet in well-ventilated areas.

·         Testing guidance had changed – tests were advocated if an individual was to be in a high-risk situation that day or before visiting people at higher risk of severe illness.

·         The advice was to use the NHS Covid-19 app and keep Bluetooth turned on to assist with contact tracing.

·         In schools, face coverings were recommended for all staff, students (aged 11+) and visitors in communal areas.

·         Secondary school pupils would be tested before returning in January.

·         There were also new rules brought in for people travelling to the UK from 4am on 7 December.

The Chairman asked about the relative spread of the Omicron variant relative to the Delta variant. Matt Pearce noted that there was little data, but the R-rate in South Africa had jumped from 1 to 2, suggesting it was more transmissible.

Councillor Lynne Doherty asked if hospitalisations and deaths were still predominantly amongst the unvaccinated. Matt Pearce confirmed this was correct.

Councillor Dominic Boeck asked if there was evidence that the virus would become more transmissible, but less hazardous. Matt Pearce indicated that it viruses could evolve in this way, but it had not been confirmed for Covid.

Councillor Steve Masters noted that 1 in 5 of Covid patients on ventilation were unvaccinated pregnant women. Matt Pearce agreed that some ‘myth busting’ was required and offered to help develop comms to target this demographic.

Councillor Martha Vickers noted that testing kits seemed to be more difficult to obtain. Matt Pearce stated that they could be ordered online or from the mobile testing vehicle. He acknowledged that there had been some challenges with pharmacies which he was seeking to resolve. He indicated that Lateral Flow Devices seemed to work with Omicron, but stressed the need to get a PCR test after a positive Lateral Flow test, since this would allow the result to be sequenced.