East Riding coronavirus situation 'greatly improved' says health boss
Andy Kingdom says around one in 50 are still thought to be infected
The coronavirus situation has greatly improved in the East Riding but around one in 50 are still thought to be infected, the council’s public health boss has said.
East Riding Council’s Public Health Director Andy Kingdom said the prevalence of coronavirus was estimated at 1.9 per cent and 1 per cent among children.
The director added falls in infections, hospital patients with coronavirus and staff absences due to catching it were expected to continue but autumn could see cases rise again.
It comes as the rate of infection in the East Riding was 59.4 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days up to Friday, May 27, down from 100.2 the previous week.
A total of 81 coronavirus patients were in Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital as of today (Monday, June 6), with one in intensive care according to NHS figures.
The coronavirus vaccine rollout has seen a total of 285,541 first doses given in the East Riding as of Tuesday, May 31, 90.2 per cent of those eligible.
Second doses total 275,661, 87.1 per cent, and boosters 233,894, 73.9.
It compares to UK uptake rates of 92.9 per cent for first doses, 86.8 per cent for second jabs and 69 per cent for boosters.
The East Riding’s death toll from coronavirus stood at 1,097 as of Wednesday, June 1.
The total number with coronavirus listed as the cause on death certificates is 1,161, up four in the week up to Friday, May 20.
Mr Kingdom said that although the impact of coronavirus had reduced significantly in the past month, people would still be worried about theirs and their loved ones’ health.
The director said: “Hospital admissions, beds taken up and severe illness have all reduced considerably with far fewer staff off because of coronavirus infections.
“Care homes have fewer infected residents and staff and schools are no longer seeing the levels of illness and disruption experienced in previous school terms.
“The Omicron variant is not causing any significant local surge or spikes in outbreaks.
“Coronaviurs vaccination rates are very high in the East Riding and protection is holding up well against severe illness and premature death.
“We expect this to continue for some time with potential for increase in cases in Autumn when conditions favour the virus, but this is not inevitable.
“Local public health staff continue to monitor the situation both here and worldwide very closely.”
Mr Kingdom said local testing centres, including the one at the Humber Bridge, were being decommissioned with all sites set to be handed back to landlords this month.
The director added there was no date yet for another blanket coronavirus vaccine rollout but some targeted boosters would likely be coming later this year.
Mr Kingdom said the scale of a targeted rollout would be in line with the level of risk posed by the virus at the time.