Changes in COVID-19 reporting methods reveal nearly 500 more cases in Warrington

THE number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Warrington has jumped from 810 to 1,308 following a change in reporting methods by Public Health England.

The big increase of 498 new cases is because previous private tests are now included in the official totals.
As a result of the new reporting the number of confirmed cases for Warrington has jumped from 810, a rate of 386.5 per 100,000 population to 1,308 624.2/1000,000 population.
A number of areas have seen a big jump in the number of people who have tested positive due to the fact that Public Health England has now included those who have conducted private tests outside the NHS.
The big increase reflects the addition of the total of private tests for many weeks, rather than a sudden spiral of cases.

Dr Andrew Furber, North West Regional Director for Public Health England explained: “Positive cases from testing in the wider community (also known as pillar 2) are now available at local authority level though the PHE daily dashboard.
“This daily data has already been provided in local epidemiological reports to local authorities’ Directors of Public Health to support the local public health response including outbreak management.
“The number of new cases of coronavirus in the North West is under close, active surveillance. Small fluctuations day by day are to be expected. The higher rates in some NW areas that have been reported are being uncovered as we scale up testing and contact tracing activity across the region. We’re working closely with all local authorities to prepare for and manage any potential local clusters and outbreaks. Our epidemiological analysis will play an important role in identifying clusters and if there is a significant sustained increase in the community.
“As we carefully emerge from lockdown, it is now more important than ever that all residents of the North West continue to follow government advice on social distancing, self-isolation, wearing face coverings, and practicing good hand hygiene. These will all help to reduce spread of COVID-19. If you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste, stay at home and arrange a test immediately.”

To date (last week’s figures in brackets) Warrington Hospital has tested 9,230 (8,334) inpatients/community of which 1,175 (1,164) have tested positive, an increase of eleven new cases in a week.
They are currently caring for 6 (9) in-patients who have tested positive for Covid-19
There is 1 (1) Covid-19 positive patient in ICU
They have successfully discharged 367 (358) patients and sadly 132 (130) have died.
For the latest information visit https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

*Pillar 1: swab testing in Public Health England (PHE) labs and NHS hospitals for those with a clinical need, and health and care workers
Pillar 2: swab testing for the wider population, as set out in government guidance