COVID-19 cases back up again
Over the last week (week ending 1 December), new cases of COVID-19 in Central Bedfordshire have gone up by 285 to 1,734 (589.6 cases per 100,000) with rates highest among 5-17 year olds and 40-49 year olds. Sadly there were three deaths in the last reporting week.
Case numbers among our neighbours are:
- Bedford - 771 new cases, down 45 (441.4 cases per 100,000) with 3 deaths reported
- Luton - 958 new cases, up 65 (448.7 cases per 100,000) with 8 deaths reported
- Milton Keynes – 1,533 new cases, up 294 (567.4 cases per 100,000) and 3 deaths reported
Omicron variant
The new Omicron variant makes it even more important that we do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
New safety measures have come into force, including compulsory face coverings in shops and on public transport; and all contacts of suspected Omicron cases having to self-isolate, regardless of their age or vaccination status.
Vaccines remain our best line of defence, and everyone over 16 who has not yet received their first or second dose of the vaccine and anyone eligible for their booster should come forward to help protect themselves and others.
Parents and guardians of children aged 12-15 who have not had their vaccine yet are also urged to come forward and go to one of the special walk-in sessions in Dunstable or to book an appointment for your child online via the National Booking System.
Anyone who has difficulty getting to the vaccine centres can book FREE transport through our Vaxi Taxi service.
People second jabbed before 3 June can now come forward for a booster vaccination.
The NHS will contact people when it is their turn for the booster but anyone who is eligible for a booster vaccination and had their second dose of the vaccination before 3 June, can now go to a local walk in centre
Anyone who is eligible can also pre-book a COVID-19 booster appointment from five months (152 days) after their second dose.
Visit www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster or call 119 to book.
The booster programme will be extended to all 18–39-year-olds and the gap between the second dose and booster will be reduced to three months.
All those aged 12 to 15 years have now been advised to receive a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, no sooner than 12 weeks after the first dose. Severely immunosuppressed individuals who have received three primary doses, should now also be offered a booster dose.
People in these groups should not contact the NHS yet - they will let people know when it is their turn to take up the offer
Find out more at the local NHS website https://www.blmkccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/
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