Latest detailed council update: “community transmission through social and household contacts” driving infections

The latest local update has been published by Wrexham Council, detailing the precise local area figures and information on Covid-19.

Today also sees a pop-up vaccination clinic at Tesco in Cefn Mawr from 10am until 4pm (with supplies of both Pfizer and AZ) – offering first and second doses to all aged 16+. No appointment needed – just turn up!

This week has also seen Wrexham Council circulate the People’s Republic of Newport government message from Goldie Lookin Chain, who appear to have also taken Cardiff Bay. The group are urging everyone from Prestatyn to Cwmbran to show them your arm in a vaccination centre, and ask “If you are meeting other households meet outside, where the air is clean, where the air is best, but if you are feeling ill get a covid test”.

The full public information film can be viewed below:

The more formal council update containing the local figures, and insight from the data the local Track Trace Protect system is seeing has also been released.

A usual the full update is copied below. All bolding and formatting is from Wrexham Council:

Covid-19 Recovery: WCBC Fortnightly Briefing Note, 20^th August 2021

This is a shorter than normal Members Covid Recovery Briefing Note to provide members with an update regarding the level of spread of the Delta Variant and what is the position in your local area

Data on the Virus

TABLE 1: Covid-19 in the County Borough as a whole compared to other Councils in North Wales

Comment

• 76 new cases were reported today. The latest 7-day rate for new cases is 300.8/100,000 population which is 50% worse than the 200.1/100k reported two weeks ago and approaching the 333/100k reported four weeks ago. Positivity (the indicator of community transmission) is 17.3% which has also risen from both the 14.8% of two weeks ago and the 16.7% of four weeks ago). These data show that the reductions from the peak in mid-July have been reversed as the national Covid restrictions have been removed.
• Wrexham is 3^rd in Wales for the rate per 100k, which is unchanged since four weeks ago, and 4^th for positivity, whereas it is 2^nd four and two weeks ago –  a relative improvement, but with worsening numbers.
• The Delta ‘variant of concern’ accounts for 100% of new cases, with community transmission through social and household contacts, rather than from travel or work, the driver of infection.
• The highest rates of infection are amongst the 20-29 age group, followed by the under 20s. This is because they are the least vaccinated and are having the most social contact with their peers.
• Hospital admission and deaths, though rising, thankfully remain low, supporting the view that the vaccine is highly effective against the Delta variant

TABLE 2: Covid-19 in the Sub-Areas of Wrexham (18 MSOA areas used by PHW in its Tableau)

Comment

• All of the 18 sub-areas of Wrexham remain ‘hotspots’ with more than 100 cases/100,000 population, which is the same as both two and four weeks ago. This confirms that there is widespread community transmission rather than clusters in only specific areas.
• 1 of the sub-areas has more than 400/100k, whereas there were none, 2 weeks ago and 3, four weeks ago.
• Only 5 of the sub-areas have seen an improvement since two weeks ago, meaning that 13 have got worse.

KEY MESSAGES

The Delta variant continued to remain a concern within our local communities and as you know vaccination remains the best defence against the worst impacts of COVID. Encouraging all parts of our population to become vaccinated remains key, and as eligibility extends to those over 16 this work continues in earnest.

To date 1 million vaccines have been provided across the BCUHB footprint and the millionth was given to a teenager in Wrexham this week.

We respect individuals right to make a choice but our message is clear that vaccination is the best choice to secure our safety and liberties.