THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER
- Slough is to move into the higher tier two Covid restrictions from Saturday after a rapid rise in the number of infections. The adjoining South Bucks and Chiltern areas, which include Penn, remain at the lower tier three after the increase in cases slowed this week. By yesterday Slough had 153 new cases per 100,000 population. In South Bucks it is 122 per 100,000 and in Chiltern 81 per 100,000 – both slightly down on the previous week.
- Another adjoining area, Windsor and Maidenhead, says it will decide next week whether to ask the Government to put its area into the tier two category.
- Buckinghamshire Council leader Martin Tett said today said that despite the drop in the infection rate in the county more people were being admitted to hospital and there has been a rise in the number of positive cases in the over-60 group this week. The council is sending a letter to every household outlining the current restrictions and urging people to follow them.
- The latest figures for our immediate area show that last week (up to Saturday) there were nine new cases reported in Penn (which includes Knotty Green and Holmer Green) and nine in Hazlemere. Five new cases were reported in Tylers Green.
- John Hamden Grammar School in High Wycombe closed last night – two days before half term – after 29 members of staff were forced into isolation. Three pupils and two members of staff have tested positive for Covid. No cases have been reported in schools in our community.
- The Potters Arms at Winchmore Hill has been closed all week for a deep clean after one of their pub team tested positive . It is due to reopen on Monday.
- Thames Valley Police said that they received 2,600 calls in the first two weeks of October from people reporting others for breaking Covid restrictions. The police issued 35 fines to people breaking the “rule of six in gatherings” and four fines for people failing to quarantine after coming into contact with Covid sufferers.
- The council has warned that Halloween masks are not suitable face coverings for offering protection against the virus. It is also asking people not to leave bowls of sweets outside for children trick and treating because of the increased risk of infection.