Covid-19 Cases Rise Sharply Again in Chiswick

Medical professionals fear prevalence may be understated in data

Sadiq Khan getting his Covid-19 and flu jabs this week

There has been a sharp rise in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Chiswick so far in October and medical professionals are suggesting that the true number may be much higher than the reported figures.

Some neighbourhoods in the W4 postcode area saw a doubling of infection rates as 40 people in the area tested positive in the first week of October. Although the numbers remain relatively small compared to previous waves some parts of Chiswick have significantly higher case rates than are being seen in the rest of London or nationally.

The highest number of cases has been in the area designated as Chiswick North West by the Office of National Statistics which corresponds with Acton Green. The infection rate in this neighbourhood was 146.8 per 100,000, nearly three times the national and borough average. The number of cases in Bedford Park doubled in the most recent week.

Ealing Borough currently has an infection rate of 73 and Hounslow’s in 57.

A local GP said, “The case rates do appear well below those seen at the same time of year in 2020 and 2021 but fewer people are taking tests than they use to, so it is impossible to make an accurate comparison. I couldn’t say for sure that infection rates are lower.

"There is no cause for undue concern just yet but I would start taking those precautions that were becoming habitual during the last waves such as wearing a mask in the shops and on public transport, avoiding unnecessary physical contact and steering clear of unventilated spaces. If you are being offered a booster get it as soon as possible along with your flu jab.”

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London is reinforcing this message having this week got injections for his Covid-19 booster and flu on the same day.

He said afterwards, “The concern is that people may think that this virus is behind us, that Covid-19 is behind us and we have been lulled into a sense of false security, so we are encouraging people, those eligible to have the flu jab but also the Covid booster. Why? Because co-infections, having both the flu and Covid is really serious. You are twice as likely to die if you get both flu and Covid, than if you just have Covid, but also we will avoid a ‘twindemic’.

Map showing the Middle Super Output Areas from the table above. Source: ONS

According to the ONS 1 in 56 Londoners had Covid-19 on 24 September up from 1 in 66 a week earlier. These numbers remain much lower that at the beginning of the year when the rate was 1 in 19 on 22 January.

On 13 October it was newly reported that 51 people in London died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test during the previous week.

The total number of COVID-19 cases identified in London to date is 3,077,881 comprising 15.3 percent of the England total of 20,086,702 cases

In the week to 8 October 5,785 new cases were identified in London, a rate of 64 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 4,548 cases and a rate of 50 for the previous week.

In England as a whole, 61,809 new cases were identified, a rate of 109 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 51,046 cases and a rate of 90 for the previous week

Up to and including 12 October 2022 6,485,271 people in London had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 6,095,587 had received two doses with 4,438,483 having had either a third vaccine dose or a booster dose

There are currently 1,413 COVID-19 patients in London hospitals compares to 1,228 on 5 October. Of those 87 are on ventilators, up from 76 in the previous week.

Research has shown that those people who get flu and COVID-19 at the same time are more likely to become seriously ill.

Officials say that eligible residents who get their jabs now will also be helping to relieve pressure on frontline health services as the NHS enters its busiest time of year.

It is expected that more people will get flu this year due to reduced immunity levels following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents are also advised to make sure they get their COVID-19 boosters as well. Immunity to the virus appears to reduce over time.

The council says COVID-19 booster jabs are available in the borough for eligible groups at walk-in clinics and other venues. You can find out more and book online here.

October 16, 2022