Chiswick Experiences Its Worst Month For Covid Deaths

Mobile testing unit being provided due to borough's high infection rate

January has been the worst month so far for Covid-19 fatalities

Chiswick has seen its worst monthly death toll from Covid-19 according to the latest official figures.

Data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that 16 more people from the W4 area died during January to bring the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 55.

A local GP said, “This leap in the number of deaths was not unexpected given the huge surge in infections during December, and hopefully January will mark the peak as the number of cases started to fall during the month. However, even with the sharp declinel in the rate of infection and the level of vaccinations we are still not at a level where we can say there will be no further fatalities in the area.

“There is a growing view that Covid will be with us for years and getting a vaccine might be an annual event for many along with the flu jab. The best way we can collectively combat it in the longer term is not to forget the personal hygiene lessons we learnt during the pandemic such as regular handwashing as well as losing weight were necessary, improving diet and getting regular exercise.”

New data on infection levels is more encouraging with most parts of Chiswick seeing a reduction in the number of cases. There were 32 positive tests recorded across Chiswick in the week to 21 February with infections falling sharply in most neighbourhoods. The infection rate is highest in the Chiswick North East area which saw an increase in cases to 8 to give an infection rate per 100,000 of 94.3.

Hounslow is currently the worst affected borough in London with a weekly Covid case rate of 155 per 100,000 of population compared to the London average of 83.

A mobile testing unti is now operating every Friday in Sainsbury's car park from 8am to 4pm. This provides test for those without Covid-19 symptoms and booking is not necessary. The test takes 15 minutes and provides a result within 40 minutes.

Map showing the areas from the table above

Kelly O’Neill, Hounslow’s Director of Public Health, said, “We all need to do everything we can to reduce the spread of the virus and to save lives; this is why we’re continuing to improve our free rapid test service to help even more people get tested. With the road map to coming out of lock-down now in place, I encourage you to get tested, continue to follow the rules and get vaccinated when the NHS contacts you.”

The total number of Covid-19 cases identified in London is 694,187 as at 24 February, this compares to 3,639,352 cases for England as a whole

Up to and including 21 February 1,746,338 people in London had received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 66,471 had received two doses.

On 25 February the daily number of new people tested positive for COVID-19 in London was reported as 919.

Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for Public Health England reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement of the roadmap for the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions said,

“There is no doubt it’s been a long, hard winter for everyone in London, but this week we can finally start to feel cautiously optimistic about the coming months.

“As the Prime Minister laid out the steps in his roadmap on Monday, we will all have heard it slightly differently. For many, there would have been anticipation as they started counting the days until they could see loved ones again. For others, who may have been juggling childcare with working from home, or just worried about the mental health of their children, there will have been relief at the news of schools re-opening. Of course, for others again there will be anxiety, doubts and worries – perhaps because they work in an industry that isn’t re-opening just yet or because they fear what easing lockdown will mean for COVID-19 rates across the city and country.

“All of these feelings are completely natural and to be expected. But however you feel, it is important to remember that what the Prime Minister has outlined is a careful, incremental approach to opening up different parts of society.”

March 1, 2021