Wokingham has highest Covid infection rates in Berkshire
Borough records highest ever rates
One area of Berkshire is experiencing its highest ever coronavirus infection rates, with a leading councillor urging people to take tests and get vaccinated to fight the virus.
The coronavirus infection rate, that is, the number of people who have tested positive per 100,000, is the highest it has ever been in Wokingham.
The infection rates reached their peak in the area at 619.2 confirmed cases per 100,000 people recorded on Wednesday, October 13.
That is the highest it has been since the height of the ‘third wave’ in January of this year, where the infection rate in the area hit 569.7.
Now, Councillor Charles Margetts (Conservative, Finchampstead North) has called for people to re-take Covid-19 tests after ‘false negative’ results have been recorded at two of Berkshire’s testing sites.
Cllr Margetts, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services said:
“Covid-19 infection rates are the highest they’ve ever been in the borough and are continuing to rise. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced at the end of last week that PCR tests completed at testing sites including the Newbury Showground and Mereoak Park & Ride have been processed at the private laboratory where testing has been suspended due to reports of negative PCR results after positive lateral flow tests (false negative results).
“As a result, since early September a proportion of residents have not isolated when infectious as they have been told, in error, that their Covid test was negative, which has contributed to an increase in transmission within the borough.
“Anyone affected will have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace over the weekend and asked to re-test. Whilst the full impact of these false negative test results is not yet clear, we anticipate that as residents re-test, the Covid case rate will be driven up further, both within our borough and also in the neighbouring boroughs of West Berkshire and Reading. This is the pattern currently being seen across the South West as a result of re-testing. Please note that the lab has now stopped processing samples, and residents should continue to use these testing sites with confidence.
“With half-term around the corner, we are urging all our residents to remain cautious when mixing with friends and family. The chances of catching and spreading the virus remains high, especially when crowded together indoors. Please wear a face covering when socialising in indoor venues and try to meet outside where Covid-19 particles can blow away. If you are meeting inside, ventilation is crucial, even in the Autumn months – so open windows and doors to allow fresh air to flow through."