THE number of new Covid cases has decreased significantly in our local area in the past seven days, but the number deaths from the virus has risen. In the seven days to yesterday there were 740 new cases in the Wycombe area, which includes Tylers Green and Hazlemere, compared to 902 in the previous seven days.
In the Chiltern area, which includes Penn, there were 195 new cases compared to 375 the previous week, and in the South Bucks area, which includes Beaconsfield, there were 275 new cases compared to 444 previously.
Latest statistics show a slight fall in our immediate area too. In the seven days to last Friday there were 19 new cases in Tylers Green compared to 25 in the seven days to 12 January. In the Penn area, which also takes in Holmer Green and Knotty Green, there were 23 new cases (compared to 26) and in Hazlemere 23 new cases, compared to 25.
However, the number of deaths of people who tested positive in the previous 28 days in the Wycombe area in the seven days to yesterday was 35, compared to 26 the previous seven days. In the Chiltern area 11 have died compared to seven previously and in South Bucks nine have died compared to seven.
Coronavirus update
- Some non-Covid NHS patients are being transferred to the private Chiltern Hospital in Great Missenden and the Shelburne Hospital in High Wycombe for urgent treatments to relieve pressure on beds at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe hospitals, the Bucks NHS Trust has announced.
- Buckinghamshire Council says its teams are working seven days a week to fast track the Government’s latest support grants to local businesses who have had to close or seen their takings plummet. It estimates that by the end of the month £33m will be distributed to 4,500 local businesses. Funding is also available for self-employed people and businesses unable to benefit from the Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme. See the council’s website for details.
- Chiltern Railways is introducing a new timetable from next Monday in response to current low levels of passenger demand. It involves fewer trains and fewer stops. Check its website for details.
- Local councillor Katrina Wood said the council is working with GPs so that housebound people without transport will be able to travel to a vaccination centre. They should contact their surgery once invited for a vaccination.
- Royal Mail says its services are being disrupted because a number of staff are absent through illness or self-isolation. The High Wycombe delivery office has reduced opening hours. Details here: https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you/delivery-office/high-wycombe-north-delivery-office-hp11-1aa
- A request by Wycombe (and Tylers Green) MP Steve Baker to allow amateur singing groups to resume rehearsing and perform in a “Covid secure” way has been rejected by the Government. Culture minister Caroline Dinenage said that would happen “as soon as it is safe to do so.”