The first signs that lockdown is working are reflected in the latest data about new confirmed cases of Covid-19 published by Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC)
In the seven days up to January 15 there were 1,438 confirmed new cases of Covid-19 in the city, which is a 36% decrease per 100,000 residents from the previous week.
It is equivalent to a weekly rate of 494 per 100,000 residents, which is similar to the rate for England at 497 per 100,000 and 505 per 100,000 in the South East. BHCC report that local hospitals are still dealing with large numbers of patients with Covid-19.
Alistair Hill, BHCC’s director of public health, said: “It is good to be able to share the welcome news that rates of infection in Brighton & Hove are beginning to come down. Especially with the added good news that the NHS vaccination programme is now underway and our most vulnerable residents, and the people who care for them, are being vaccinated.
“The best way to stop Covid spreading in our city is to follow the Government’s national lockdown rules to stay at home; and to diligently follow the ‘hands, face, space’ guidelines when you do go out.
“I want to thank everyone for playing their part in driving down infection rates.
“But it is essential we do not relax our guard. The situation remains very serious and the level of transmission is still much too high.
“We can see infection rates coming down among all age groups. But the over 60s have seen the slowest rate of decrease. These are the people most at risk from Covid-19 and most likely to need hospital care.
“Our hospitals are still admitting far too many patients with Covid-19 who are very seriously ill. On 20 January there were more than 180 inpatients with Covid-19 at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
“If we all keep working together by following the lockdown rules to stay at home and diligently following the ‘hands, face, space’ guidelines, we will slow the rate of transmission and stop Covid-19 spreading in our city.”
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