Covid-19 infections are picking up again, though not at a rate that looks like threatening Christmas. But precautions seem advisable in crowded places and on public transport, as does getting the autumn booster for those who are eligible. Meanwhile health experts have voiced concerns about the government’s vaccine policy. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
The number of Covid-19 infections has gone into decline after pushing upwards during most of October. But another upward surge looks possible this month as faster-growing sub-lineages of the dominant Omicron variant account for an increasing proportion of new cases. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
Remember Covid-19? Remember lockdown? Although the virus that shook the world has receded into the background for most of us, it has by no means gone, and is currently enjoying a resurgence in the number of cases. As new subvariants emerge, experts are debating whether we now have the disease under control. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
Sussex Health and Care Partnership is pulling out all the stops to maximise vaccination opportunities in Hastings and Sussex through January. Hastings continues to lag in terms of the proportion of the boostered population, while the situation is better in Rother. Text by Nick Terdre and Russell Hall, research and charts by Russell Hall.
We have now embarked on a new stage of the Covid-19 coronavirus – the age of the Omicron variant. This has shown itself to be the most transmissible yet, and in just a month has displaced Delta as the dominant variant, imposing itself on Hastings and East Sussex as well as nationally. But it appears to cause less severe illness, and so far local hospitals have been able to cope. Text by Russell Hall and Nick Terdre, research by Russell Hall.
With the caveat that a final decision will be taken next Monday, prime minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that most anti-Covid restrictions will be lifted on Monday 19 July. The move comes as cases are rising rapidly, but widespread vaccination is containing hospital admissions and deaths at low levels. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
Further pop-up clinics have been arranged in Hastings to provide opportunities for more residents to get a first vaccine jab. The vaccination rate has fallen sharply this month and the town still has a long way to go before enough of the population has had two jabs to achieve herd immunity. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
The rise and rise of the Delta strain of Covid-19, which has now made its appearance in East Sussex, has finally persuaded the government to postpone for up to four weeks the fourth and final step of the roadmap back to normality which was scheduled for 21 June. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
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