Covid deaths look set to peak in February, Nottinghamshire health boss says

Speaking at a briefing Dr Andy Haynes, executive lead for Nottinghamshire’s Integrated Care System, said Covid 19 death rates could continue to rise for the next three to four weeks, peaking in February.

Across the county, there were 750 hospital beds taken up with Covid cases, 2.5 times the April numbers, the briefing heard. Hospital ICU capacity has “doubled and health and care staff were stretched.” The vaccination programme was “critical” to save lives, and advice was to stick with the hand, face, space, measures.

“Care homes continue to have outbreaks and there have been 92 deaths in our hospitals, more than last week,” he said.

The county’s vaccination programme is on ‘target’ with 11 sites operating, as well as roving teams and pop up services.

"We started the month with 1,300 doses given, as we leave the month the scale of progress is clear, we have vaccinated over 90 per cent of care homes so far.

“All letters have gone out to the 70 plus cohort. we welcome data showing that in the 80 plus group we have vaccinated 75 per cent.”

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Alison Challenger, public health director for Nottingham, reported two “tragic milestones,” with 500 recorded deaths in the city and over 100,000 deaths nationally.

"It’s been a tough year, but I commend everyone for keeping going,” she said.

Louise Lester, public health consultant at Nottinghamshire County Council, said county virus rates were "decreasing, but slower than before.” Countywide, 346.8 cases per 100,000 were noted.

“It is still high and there is still pressure on health and social care Most of the high rates at the moment are in working age group, they are not dropping as sharply as before. We don’t know why,” she said.

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"We thank everyone across Nottinghamshire, health and social care staff, all who have pulled together, it’s been a long, hard year, keep doing everything you can.”

On the Novavax vaccine, Dr Haynes said it was “great news” a fourth vaccine was in the pipeline.

“It’s still yet to go through the regulatory process like the others – I have no insight when that might be,” he said.