Agenda item

The Deputy Director of Public Health’s regular update included the following points.

Cases

•      London estimated R value  is 1 to 1.2.

•      The number of  COVID-19 cases reported in the City of London has been increasing relatively consistently each week since the end of September.

•      In the latest week of complete data (ending 2 November), 26 cases of COVID-19 were recorded among residents of the City of London, translating to an incidence rate of 267 cases per 100,000 population. This is 24% higher than the incidence rate recorded in the previous week. (Incidence rate for England 402.1/100,000 and London 259/100,000).

•      During the same week last year (ending 3 November 2020), 15 COVID-19 cases were recorded among residents of the City of London (73% fewer).

•      The highest number of cases have been recorded among younger working ages over the last two months of available data: 46 cases were recorded among 20 to 29-year-olds and 39 cases were recorded among 30- to 39-year-olds. Less than 30 cases were recorded among all other ages.

Education and early years settings

•      Since the beginning of this academic year, there have been 29 reports of COVID-19 cases made by education and early year settings in the City of London, averaging at four reports each week. This is in comparison to 11 reports made during the same period last year.

•      The highest number of reports were made by The City of London School (14 reports) and Charterhouse Square School (five reports). Less than five reports were made at all other settings.

•      Between 7 September and 5 November 2021 an average of 27 students and 1 staff member were registered as contacts of COVID-19 cases each week in the City of London’s education and early year settings. During the same period last year, an average of 33 students and 3 staff members were registered as contacts of COVID-19 cases each week.

•      The number of reports made, and students affected has been decreasing since a peak in late September. In the week ending 5 November, one report was made, and one pupil was registered as a contact of a COVID-19 case.

•      Since the beginning of this academic year, three situations have been reported at education or early year settings in the City of London: all three were outbreaks and at secondary schools. No situations have been reported in the last month of available data.

COVID Vaccinations

•        COVID vaccination coverage for the CoL is 70% of eligible population aged 12+ with approx. 3,000 residents in the City of London unvaccinated.

•        The number of COVID-19 vaccinations received each week by City of London residents has remained relatively stable over the past two months; an average of 39 residents received a first dose and 67 received a second dose each week between 29 August and 30 October 2021.

•        In the latest week of available data, 45 residents received a first dose and 31 received a second dose.

•        In line with changes in the vaccination offer, the highest number of doses were given out among 12- to 15-year-olds over the course of October 2021; 20.6% of this population received a first dose.

Pressure on the NHS

•        As of 4th Nov 2021, the Homerton Hospital had 59 COVID patients of which 9 were in critical care.

•        Across all of NEL 17% of acute critical care is occupied with COVID patients.

During questions the following points were noted:

The Deputy Director of Public Health advised that the Joint Health Protection Board and NHS Hackney meet every 2 weeks and had issued recommendations in terms of  mask wearing, ventilation and social distancing.   The Public Health team were in frequent discussions with colleagues managing events at the City Corporation, and there had been improvements in communications in respect of signage, which reinforced the Board’s messaging.  However, the Government is still operating under ‘Plan A’ and the recommendations cannot be mandated.

Goodman’s Field Pharmacy which, whilst located in Tower Hamlets, is the nearest Pharmacy to Portsoken is expected to start offering COVID vaccination (including boosters) from early December. 

There had been some initial delays in the flu distribution of the flu vaccination, but it is now widely available in community pharmacies.  The messaging was being intensified and the flu vaccination was being offered separately, as some people might be willing to have a flu jab but be more reluctant about the Covid jab.   Any Members willing to use their influence to promote the vaccines were invited to contact the Public Health Team.  Members were pleased to note a banner promoting vaccinations on the front page of the City Corporation’s web site.