New Cluster of Covid-19 Cases in Brentford
Rising concern as borough wide rise seems to be affecting area
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The Brentford area has seen an increase in the number of Covid-19 infections having previously avoided the cluster of cases seen in other parts of the borough.
The figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) from the 1 September to 7 September show that there were 9 cases Brentford in the week. The ONS divide the country into ‘Middle Super Output Areas’ (MSOAs) of roughly equal population size. The Brentford East MSOA had three new cases and the Syon MSOA had six. In addition the Osterley and Lampton East MSOA had eight cases.
A more severe outbreak seems to be occurring in the area around Hounslow Town with ten cases in Hounslow West, 5 in Hounslow High Street and 6 in Hounslow Meadows.
In the seven days to Wednesday (9 September) the borough had 76 people confirmed positive with the virus.
The number of people who tested positive in the borough on Wednesday (9 September) at 25 was the highest since 30 April however the figure has fallen to 5 the following day.
The 20 to 50-year-old age group were highlighted as the most affected, and that a “small number” of people are currently in hospital after contracting the virus.
The warning comes as two Hounslow schools, Heston Community School and Cranford Community College announced two positive coronavirus cases among their pupils, with a number of further staff and students told to self-isolate. The schools remain open for other students.
Hounslow’s public health boss Kelly O’Neill said, “Hounslow’s rate is below the figure where a local lockdown would be considered, but this sustained increase especially over the last two weeks is a serious health concern.”
She added, “The data suggests the three main causes of the increase in positive cases are; people not self-isolating when they return from a destination abroad which is not on the exempt list, parents not socially distancing outside school; and younger people ignoring social distancing when they meet up with friends.”
As of 9 September the cumulative rate of cases since the beginning of the pandemic rose to 510.1 per 100,000, compared to a rate of 477.7 per 100,000 a week previous of 2 September.
Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for Public Health England also warned “there is no room for complacency,” after the crucial ‘R’ number was confirmed to have gone above 1, meaning that the epidemic is growing again.
London’s Public Health boss said, “Rates of coronavirus in London have been relatively low compared to other parts of the country but are now starting to increase.
“The highest number of positive test results in London are among people aged 20-29 across the city which is concerning.
“We don’t want to see this rise in young people have a knock-on effect on those who are more vulnerable to coronavirus including grandparents, family and friends who are pregnant or have long-term health conditions.
“There is no room for complacency – we need all Londoners to pull together now and follow government advice on social distancing, self-isolation, wearing face coverings and practising good hygiene to keep London safe.”
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September 11, 2020
