Covid update 7 January
- The number of new Covid cases reported in the Penn, Tylers Green and Hazlemere area is continuing to fall. Official figures show that in the week to 1 January there were 356 with Covid, a fall of around 10 per cent compared to the week before. Unofficial figures show there’s been a further fall of around 10 per cent in the week to tonight (7 January).
- The number of people who have received the third, booster jab is nearing seven out of ten in our immediate area, ten per cent higher than the national average. The walk-in vaccination centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital resumes on Monday (10 January).
- Buckinghamshire council leader Martin Tett said today there was “particular concern” in the county over the rise in cases amongst people aged over 60. He confirmed that in recent days infection rates in all age groups were the highest they have been at any point in the pandemic in Bucks.
- Buckinghamshire hospitals are coping although with considerable difficulty because of staff shortages due to Covid and/or isolation. At Wycombe, Stoke Mandeville and Amersham hospitals visiting is severely restricted, usually to one person, once a day. All visitors need to provide proof of a negative Covid test. All visiting has been cancelled at Wexham Park Hospital with only very few exceptions for emergency situations.
- Thirty-two trained military personnel will be helping the local ambulance service in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire between now and the end of March. The South Central Ambulance Service has been struggling because of Covid-related staff shortages.
- Schools in the area returned this week and are operating as normally as they can under the circumstances. There have been a handful of confirmed coronavirus cases amongst pupils this week. Students and staff at Sir William Ramsay School in Rose Avenue are being encouraged to take twice-weekly lateral flow tests. Pupils there are wearing masks in classrooms and indoor communal spaces.
- Council street cleaners have been helping dustbin crews hit by Covid absences. Waste collection services have fallen a day behind in some areas of the village but by and large bin collections are normal. The green bin collection service is suspended until 17 January.
- Local churches are continuing to welcome people to services but at Holy Trinity and St Margarets in Penn and Tylers Green services are also streamed online for those who prefer to stay at home. At Penn Street church social events have been postponed at least until the end of the month.
- Penn and Tylers Green Football Club has postponed its fixture against Winslow (Saturday 8 January) because of Covid outbreaks amongst the first team.
- The Old Queen’s Head pub in Penn has closed until Wednesday lunchtime (12th) because of a Covid outbreak amongst its staff.
You can contact this blog at peter@pennandtylersgreen.com