Hopes growing that latest wave has peaked but caution urged
The end of free tests may be distorting the data
Some local health professionals are cautiously optimistic that Covid-19 cases have already peaked across the Putney and Roehampton areas despite rises in positive tests in some neighbourhoods particularly around West Hill.
The picture is confused due to free tests no longer being available meaning it is unclear whether the recent falls in reported cases are misleading.
Wandsworth’s rate of infection is currently well above the London average and many areas in and around Putney are above even that level. The area designated as West Hill North by the Office of National Statistics has an infection rate of 658.8 per 100,000 in the week to 9 April a rise of 45.5% on the previous week. West Hill South was not far behind with an infection rate of 505.4. Most areas saw high double digit falls in cases over the week with the biggest drop being in Roehampton South & Putney Vale where only 12 people tested positive, a fall of 70% over the week.
The borough had an infection rate of 358 per 100,000 people the fifth highest in the capital.
A local GP said, “We still need to be cautious. The availability of free testing ended on 1 April and there was some hoarding of tests prior to that with people reluctant to use up their stock unless they had symptoms. This will inevitably have led to falls in number of positive tests and it is a bit alarming to see rising rates in some neighbourhoods despite this change. There is still huge pressure on the NHS due to staff absences due to Covid. However, I do think we have passed the peak simply because rates were so high in the local area a few weeks ago, probably the highest we have seen at any point since the pandemic started. However, the chances of being infected remain high. Just because many of the regulations have now become guidelines does not mean you should stop following them if you want to stay healthy. This disease is still killing lots of people.“
| Covid-19 Infections in SW15 Week To 9 April | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Area (MSOA) | Cases | Rate per 100,000 | Change (%) |
| West Hill North | 48 |
658.8 |
45.5 |
| West Hill South | 38 |
505.4 |
-2.6 |
| Putney Town & Wandsworth Park | 42 |
422.2 |
-36.3 |
| East Putney | 39 |
414.4 |
-20.4 |
| Roehampton North West | 28 |
391.6 |
3.7 |
| Southfields North | 36 |
375.9 |
-32.1 |
| Putney Embankment & Lower Common | 32 |
373.1 |
-48.4 |
| Putney West | 25 |
276.8 |
-59.0 |
| Roehampton North East | 26 |
230.4 |
-55.2 |
| Roehampton South & Putney Vale | 12 |
141.8 |
-70.0 |
Source: Office of National Statistics
In the most recent week of complete data (3 April - 9 April) 27,233 new cases were identified in London, a rate of 302 per 100,000 population. This compares with 47,222 cases and a rate of 524 for the previous week
In England as a whole, 238,490 new cases were identified in the same week, a rate of 422 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 384,173 cases and a rate of 679 for the previous week.
Having risen through March the number of hospitalisations relating to Covid seems to have peaked. On 14 April there were 2,298 COVID-19 patients in London hospitals compared to 2,489 a week earlier. The number of people on ventilators has fallen slightly as well.
Up to and including 13 April 6,473,781 people in London had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 6,017,559 had received two doses with 4,302,000 getting either a third vaccine dose or a booster dose
On 14 April 27 people in London died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test.
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April 15, 2022
