COVID-19 cases are rising in our area – take extra care
Date Added: 20/05/2021
COVID-19 cases are rising in our area – take extra care
Latest figures confirm that cases of COVID-19 are increasing in our area including the new Variant of Concern that has also been driving a large increase in Bedford and other parts of the country.
While infection levels in Central Bedfordshire are not at the same level as Bedford or some other areas of the country there is absolutely no room for complacency. The situation here is very similar to that in Bedford a few weeks ago, so if we don’t act now, we could see further outbreaks.
The confirmed number of new COVID-19 cases in Central Bedfordshire (in the week ending 19 May) was 97, up 43 from the previous week (54). The number of weekly positive cases per 100,000 population has gone up to 33.6 from 18.7 last week.
Our neighbours have also reported their cases including another large increase in Bedford:
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Bedford - 215 new cases (124.1 per 100,000) with no deaths reported
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Luton - 90 cases (42.2 per 100,000) with 1 death recorded
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Milton Keynes - 56 new cases (20.8 cases per 100,000) and 1 death reported
There is evidence that this variant might be more transmissible than previous variants, so we need to keep up our guard if we are to control the spread and prevent a serious outbreak here in Central Bedfordshire.
Weekly reports
Testing is a key way you can help control the spread
You should get a rapid COVID-19 test before you go anywhere you will come into contact with others. If you are going to the pub, a friend's house, a restaurant or the gym take a rapid test before you go.
Rapid tests are easy to do yourself and you can now get them from your local library as well as from our mobile testing sites, from local pharmacies or order them online to be delivered to you. They are free and easy to do, and you get a result in 30 minutes.
If you have any symptoms at all, you must book a PCR test. If you don’t have a continuous cough, temperature or loss of sense of taste or smell you can still book a test by selecting “I’ve been told to get a test by my local council”.
Get vaccinated
The good news is that there is no evidence that the new variant is resistant to the vaccine, so it’s even more important that you take up the offer of vaccination when it is available to you.
Vaccination is going well here - 90,613 local residents (57.1%) have now been vaccinated with 44,199 (27.9%) having had both doses.
Look out for the latest walk-in vaccinations centres on the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes NHS website
Take extra care
Given the increased risk of transmitting COVID-19, you should take extra care when meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble. This will keep yourself and others safe.
In particular, wherever possible, you should try to:
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Meet outside rather than inside where possible
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Try to keep 2 metres apart from people that you don’t live with
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If you meet inside, make sure the room is well ventilated – open doors and windows
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Get tested twice a week for free and isolate if you are positive
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