Update on Covid providing information on prevalence and hospital admissions for England and its regions. Plus the latest status on vaccinations across the home nations.
Thanks so much for the really useful information. I'm a bit confused because, while increasing, your data last week seemed to show that Covid rates are much lower than this time last year. But the charts this week seem to show they are about the same as this time last year. Can anyone demystify this?
Last week I was referring to the Hospital Covid statistics which are admissions, general beds occupied, and mechanically ventilated (MV) beds occupied. These hospital statistics were and still are below the levels of last December although they are increasing (apart from MV beds this week).
One caveat I should have made is that the testing policy in hospitals changed in April 2023 so last December so you have to be careful comparing data from last December.
At the moment what seems to be happening is that although Covid prevalence is rising fast it is not yet resulting in as fast a rise in hospital admissions. This is most likely because the prevalence is highest and increasing fastest in the younger age groups who are not as likely to get hospitalised as the older or more vulnerable.
I've looked back at the last Independent Sage briefing and it was actually the data on deaths from there that had stuck in my mind and made me feel safer and more hopeful. The overall deaths in 2023 so far are a lot lower than in 2022. Interesting then that prevalence seems to only be slightly lower.
I will continue to test regularly and mask of course, and I won't go to the pub this Christmas - but I might next Christmas!
Every X axis beautifully explained for us amateurs. Thank you. 😉
Thanks so much for the really useful information. I'm a bit confused because, while increasing, your data last week seemed to show that Covid rates are much lower than this time last year. But the charts this week seem to show they are about the same as this time last year. Can anyone demystify this?
Marion, thanks for the question.
Last week I was referring to the Hospital Covid statistics which are admissions, general beds occupied, and mechanically ventilated (MV) beds occupied. These hospital statistics were and still are below the levels of last December although they are increasing (apart from MV beds this week).
One caveat I should have made is that the testing policy in hospitals changed in April 2023 so last December so you have to be careful comparing data from last December.
At the moment what seems to be happening is that although Covid prevalence is rising fast it is not yet resulting in as fast a rise in hospital admissions. This is most likely because the prevalence is highest and increasing fastest in the younger age groups who are not as likely to get hospitalised as the older or more vulnerable.
Hope this helps explain my comments.
Bob, thank you.
I've looked back at the last Independent Sage briefing and it was actually the data on deaths from there that had stuck in my mind and made me feel safer and more hopeful. The overall deaths in 2023 so far are a lot lower than in 2022. Interesting then that prevalence seems to only be slightly lower.
I will continue to test regularly and mask of course, and I won't go to the pub this Christmas - but I might next Christmas!
Thank you for this detailed update