COVID-19 cases up again this week

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Coronavirus updates

Weekly COVID-19 update

Weekly figures 13 October 2021

COVID-19 cases up again this week

Over the last week (week ending 13 October), new cases of COVID-19 in Central Bedfordshire have gone up by 120 to 965 (328.1 cases per 100,000). There were three deaths registered in our area in the last reporting week.

The reports from our neighbours show that case numbers are extremely high and increasing across the area:

  • Bedford - 698 new cases, up 14 (399.6 cases per 100,000) with 2 deaths reported
  • Luton - 817 new cases, up 208 (382.6 cases per 100,000) with 3 deaths reported
  • Milton Keynes – 972 new cases, up 67 (359.7 cases per 100,000) and 2 deaths reported

Coronavirus remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others. We are facing a challenging winter, but we can all help ourselves and those around us by taking up the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine, if eligible.

Getting vaccinated against both viruses will not only help to protect us and our loved ones but will also help protect the NHS from potential strain this winter.

Now that people are able to socialise more with far fewer restrictions in place compared to last year, vaccines provide vital protection for the public, by protecting individuals and those around them.

We can also keep ourselves and others safe by following the guidance:

  • Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
  • Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces
  • Get tested and self-isolate if required
  • Keep washing your hands regularly
  • If you haven’t already, get vaccinated

Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Weekly reports


Winter vaccinations

COVID-19 Booster jabs

The COVID-19 vaccination boosters are now available for anyone in these groups:

  • those living in residential care homes for older adults
  • all adults aged 50 years or over
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and adult carers
  • adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals

The NHS will contact you when it is your turn for the booster however, a number of sites are now offering the option to walk in provided you meet the criteria for a booster vaccination and it has been six months (182 days) since your second dose of the vaccination.

Booster walk-in sessions

As long as you have proof that there have been at least six months (182 days) since your second vaccine, and you meet the criteria, you can now walk into a variety of locations across our area to get your COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Find out more

Winter flu vaccinations

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It's offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Flu vaccination is important because:

  • more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
  • getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses

If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.

You may be eligible for both the flu and the COVID-19 booster vaccines. If you are offered both vaccines, it's safe to have them at the same time.

Find out more 


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