Warrington records highest number of new COVID-19 cases since start of pandemic

WHILE no further COVID-19 deaths have been reported at Warrington Hospital since yesterday, 173 new cases have been confirmed in the latest daily update from Public Health England, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.

The latest figures, which come on the same day the Uk recorded its highest number of new cases with 53,135, are a cause for “extreme concern” according to Public Health England.
Dr Susan Hopkins, the senior medical advisor for Public Health England, said: “We are continuing to see unprecedented levels of COVID-19 infection across the UK, which is of extreme concern particularly as our hospitals are at their most vulnerable.”
“Whilst the number of cases reported today include some from over the festive period these figures are largely a reflection of a real increase.”
The highest number of confirmed cases previously in Warrington was 166 on October 26th. While more people are being tested, hospital inpatient numbers are also on the increase, with at least 10 more inpatients admitted in the past 24 hours. A total of four patients were discharged since yesterday.
The 173 (79) new cases in Warrington in the latest figures from Public Health England takes the total since the start of the pandemic to 10,035 (9,862).
Cases in Warrington for the last seven days, previous days/updates in brackets, are 590 (639) – 280.9.3 (304.3) per 100,000 population – showing the first downward trend in infection rates over a seven day period for 17 days – although with today’s figure this is set to rise again.
*Latest figures available from Warrington & Halton Hospitals updated Tuesday, December 29 2020 – Monday’s figures in brackets. *Figures are not updated at weekends.
Covid-19 positive inpatients 117 (107) of which 36 (36) are Warrington residents – of which 12 (11) are in ICU
Total number of tests (inpatients/community) cumulative – 48,048 (47,790)
Total tests with a positive result (inpatients/community/died/discharged) cumulative 3,364 (3,338)
Discharges of positive patients (excluding deaths) cumulative 1061 (1057)
Deaths of Covid-19 positive inpatients cumulative 310 (310)
*The highest number COVID-19 positive inpatients during the first wave was on 12th April with 124 patients of which 18 were in ICU.

The total number of deaths in Warrington within 28 days of a positive test reported by Public Health England is now 308 (308) 146.7 per 100,000 population.
The total number of deaths with Covid-19 on the death certificate in Warrington reported by Public Health England is 350 (350).

*Across the UK the daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths reported on Tuesday, December 29 was 414 (357), taking the total number of deaths to 71,567 (71,109).
The daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases was 53,135 (41,385), taking the total number to 2,382,865 (2,329,730).
Across the country, there are 21,286 (21,286) patients currently in hospital and 1,529 (1,529) patients in ventilator beds.
To find out more about COVID-19 testing, and to book a test if you have symptoms, visit warrington.gov.uk/get-tested-coronavirus
For the latest COVID-19 guidance for Warrington visit https://www.warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus-latest-guidance
UK Summary
The latest R number is estimated at 1.1 to 1.3 with a daily infection growth rate range of +1% to +6% as of 24 December 2020.