People in Oxfordshire are being advised to be extra vigilant, particularly over half-term, as cases of coronavirus continue to spread across the county.
Evidence shows that, in the past two weeks, the virus has spread to a much wider age range across the county and is no longer confined to younger people in urban areas. Hospital admissions have begun to increase as a result.
“Across all areas of the county, we are starting to see a significant shift in the spread of the virus beyond people in their teens and 20s to older and more vulnerable age groups. This is a really concerning development. We know that, once the virus starts to spread to more vulnerable groups, then hospital cases will rise and deaths will inevitably follow.
“We have seen what’s been happening across the north of England and how the virus has quickly taken hold across huge swathes of the community. Based on the current trajectory of the virus, we could well find ourselves in a similar position in just a few weeks’ time if we do not take collective action now.”
“With half-term approaching, as well as events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali coming up, it’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of meeting up and celebrating with friends and family. But we mustn’t forget about COVID. We need to do everything we can to keep our families and communities safe and stop the spread.
“I know the temptation will be to meet up and socialise over half-term. However, the virus thrives when people are in close contact with one another. So I would strongly urge everyone to limit their social interactions and focus instead on the many COVID-secure family activities that are taking place over half-term.”
Ansaf Azhar, Director for Public Health at Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire is currently at the ‘medium’ or tier 1 level in the COVID-19 alert system. This is the national three-tier system, which classifies areas as medium, high or very high based on their numbers of infection and overall risk level.
Discussions have taken place this week with central Government about whether all areas of Oxfordshire should move to the ‘high’ alert level, given concerns over the spread of the virus to age groups beyond people in their teens and 20s to potentially more vulnerable groups.
The decision has been taken not to move the county to a high alert level at this stage. However, the situation is being monitored extremely closely and Oxfordshire’s Director of Public Health and Council Leaders are pushing for a move to happen as soon as possible.
Moving to a high alert level would mean that residents could not socialise with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.
“All the council leaders in Oxfordshire supported the recommendation of the Director of Public Health that because of rising numbers of cases in older age groups in the county we should move to Tier 2 with its restrictions on households meeting up. I am disappointed that a decision has been made in London to ignore the considered view of the Director of Public Health and the councils who are looking after people’s health and wellbeing on a daily basis. I hope the Government will reconsider this over the next week, while also bringing forward an improved winter economic support package for local businesses that are negatively impacted as a result of a move to Tier 2. Meanwhile I call on all of Oxford’s citizens to show restraint and take care during the half-term break to help keep the virus under control.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
“In light of the escalating situation across the county, we are pushing hard for Oxfordshire to be moved to a high alert level. This would be a preventative measure to stem the spread of the virus and protect the county’s most vulnerable residents.
“We are aware that some businesses, particularly the hospitality sector, would be affected if we moved to a high alert level, and we welcome the announcement from Government today that additional support will be available.
“However, we must do everything we can to keep residents across the county safe. We know that the majority of transmissions occur when different households mix, so increasing our alert level to high, which prevents households from mixing socially in indoor settings, is one of the best ways we can help our residents at this critical time.”
Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council
“With cases in all age groups across the County now beginning to spread between households I am very worried about COVID spreading faster during half-term. Having seen the local data and discussed the situation with the Director of Public Health and council officers I am convinced that this delay on restricting households mixing will put local lives at risk. While numbers are lower than some other parts of England, the exponential growth in cases that occurs means we need to act urgently.”
Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council
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