SINCE March 1st, 2020, we have published over 1300 stories on Covid-19. Since then we have always tried to provide a straightforward narrative.

We have left any analysis to experts (and no, an expert isn’t Tallullah from Newhall with a BTEC in Yoga).

We have varied the frequency of stories. At the moment, we are publish a general overview, every day.

From Monday, we are going back to once a week.

So this is where we think Harlow is.

Deaths

Since March 18th, 2020, there has been 630 deaths at Princess Alexandra Hospital. In January 2021, there were 179 deaths. In January 2022, there has been 19.

Back in the last summer, we were told that the number of deaths was always going to be a key indicator.

Hospitalisation and number of cases

We seem to have levelled off somewhere between 900 and 960. This appears to nowhere near a perfect science. As many have said that they simply cannot get a Lateral Flow Test (LFT).

For a long time the number of persons hospitalised remained low. Under ten. There was a large jump up to 70 and that has now gone down to 40. That is still a lot of people in one hospital.

Allied to that is the number of people attending Accident and Emergency (A and E). It seems to be always hovering over the 300 mark.

Vaccinations

Over 164,000 vaccinations have been issued. The first dose number goes up slowly but steadily. It is at 76.9 and will probably hit 80% by the spring.

The number of boosters is just over 50%.

Both lag behind the national average. First dose: 90.9% and booster at 64.6.

All this means that there are still around 13,000 Harlow residents who are unvaccinated.

Conclusion

The figures could go way up again and we will be back to daily reports but from Monday, it will be weekly.

Who knows what the year will bring? The scientists appear to have disappeared from view. That could be as they prefer to fade into the background or feel that the politicians must own the present strategy.

For Harlow residents, it may well be individual choice and personal responsibility.

For more information, click below.

https://www.yourharlow.com/category/health/covid-19/