'No Pattern' To Local Increase in Covid-19 Cases
Hammersmith & Fulham has had one of highest rises of any London Borough
Council urges you to get tested if you show symptoms
Health officials at Hammersmith and Fulham Council say there was “no pattern” behind an acceleration in local coronavirus cases that took place earlier this month.
The borough had one of the highest rates of new cases, compared to all of London’s 31 boroughs, between August 9 and 15. During those six days, Hammersmith and Fulham’s infection rate hit 16 per 100,000 people.
As of Monday, August 24, the borough had a total infection rate of 472.1 per 100,000 people.
The actual total number of confirmed cases in the borough so far was 874, out of a residential population of about 186,000.
Other London boroughs with far larger populations have fared much worse since the pandemic began.
To the north, the borough of Brent has a running total of 1,877 confirmed cases, equal to 569 per 100,000 people.
Kensington and Chelsea – the most affluent borough in London but also the smallest – has had 639 cases so far, equal to 409.3 cases per 100,000.
Public Health departments at all English councils receive detailed information from NHS Test and Trace about new cases that happen in their area, with data on:
- The location where a case was thought to have been contracted
- The age and ethnicity of individuals who test positive
- The type of setting where the individual was exposed, such as a school, care home, shop, restaurant, household or place of worship
Hammersmith and Fulham Council said there was “no pattern” behind the cases that emerged between August 9 and 15, when the borough’s infection accelerated.
Despite several requests, it also refused to provide information on where, or in what types of settings the new cases occurred.
A spokesperson said: “As things open up we are starting to see an increasing number of cases in the community.
“There is no particular pattern to these, and numbers are still relatively low in H&F, but everyone should be aware that the virus has not gone away.
“The best way to stay safe, and to help avoid another lockdown, is to observe social distancing, wear a face covering in shops and on public transport, and to regularly wash your hands.
“It is vital to get tested if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 – that’s a new continuous cough, a temperature, or a loss of/change to sense of taste or smell.
“We have arranged additional mobile testing facilities in the borough – you can find the latest info on where to get a test here.”
Owen Sheppard - Local Democracy Reporter