Deaths and Hospitalisations Rise But Cases Down in Chiswick

Grounds for optimism with sharp fall in number of positive tests

Admissions for Covid in local hospitals is on the increase

Two more deaths have been reported locally and hospitals in the area are seeing increased admissions but a fall in the number of Covid-19 infections in Chiswick is providing grounds for optimism.

The two fatalities in the latest week in the borough of Hounslow brings the death toll in the area to 590. There have been no reported deaths in Ealing borough this week but five people died from Covid-19 earlier in July.

At this stage data is not supplied allowing the number of deaths in the Chiswick area to be determined on a timely basis. The latest data specific to the W4 postcode area shows that two fatalities were recorded in April.

Infection rates are down significantly from their recent peaks in most parts of Chiswick with five of the six areas defined by the Office of National Statistics seeing falls. The only part of W4 showing a prevalence of the virus above the borough and London average is Chiswick South West which covers much of the Strand on the Green area. There were 38 positive tests there in the week to 26 July giving an infection rate of 452.6 per 100,000 people.

In the week to 31 July there were 754 positive tests in the borough of Hounslow a fall of 19.4% compared to the previous week. In Ealing during the same period there were 1,060 cases down 21.8% on the previous week. Hounslow’s infection rate per 100,000 population is currently 329, which is below the London average. Ealing remains above with a rate of 353. Wandsworth is currently the London borough with the highest rate.

Local hospital trusts are reporting an increase in admissions with the Imperial College Heathcare Trust, which manages Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals, seeing a 47.4% increase in Covid related patients in the week to 25 July with the number rising by 18 to 56. The trust has 11 patients on mechanical ventilation machines.

The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Trust, which runs the West Middlesex, is reporting a 27.8% increase in admissions with ten more people being treated.

The level of admissions for both trusts remains well below that seen during the January peak in infections.

The consensus among health professionals is that the next few weeks are key and the increase in deaths and hospitalisations may not be sustained. Infection rates are believed to be falling for a variety of reasons including the breakup of schools, the end of the Euros, the warm weather, increased vaccination rates and the immunity received by those recently infected. However, the published data has yet to take fully account of the impact of ‘Freedom Day’ – the loosening of restrictions on 19 July. How much that has increased infections should become apparent in the near future but the authorities are hopeful that the factors causing downward pressure on new cases will outweigh any boost to infections caused by the changed guidelines.

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

The total number of Covid-19 cases identified in London is 883,555 as at 28 July, this compares to 5,064,671 cases for England as a whole

In the most recent week of complete data (18 July - 24 July) 31,078 cases were identified in London, a rate of 347 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 39,226 cases and a rate of 438 for the previous week.

For the same period, 211,162 cases were identified in England as a whole, a rate of 375 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 298,842 cases and a rate of 531 for the previous week.

Up to and including 28 July 2021 5,568,601 people in London had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 4,212,465 had received two doses.

Kelly O’Neill, Hounslow’s Director of Public Health said, “The easing of lockdown restrictions from the 19 July shows significant progress has been made. While this is good news for our communities, businesses and economy, I want everyone to understand that it does not mean the pandemic is over. We are a long way from that. However, we now have to learn to live with COVID-19.

"Residents and businesses in the borough have listened and followed the rules. Our workplaces are safer, and as restrictions ease while infection numbers increase, I ask you to be very cautious and continue enforcing COVID-secure measures; to maintain regular testing, social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks whilst we are seeing this further spike in cases. This all reduces the risk of outbreaks. Residents and employees will be safer, and this help maintain business continuity”

The borough has launched a new campaign, ‘Take Care, Take 5’, which provides information about vaccination and community testing as well as advice about ways to look after your mental and physical health and support in taking care of your finances and employment skills.

August 1, 2021