The numbers haven’t changed much locally. 63 new infections in the 7 days to 10 Dec 21 (65 two weeks previously) and 522 per 100,000 people (previously 539) but we know that the national figure went to the highest level reported, 78,610 new daily cases, earlier this week. Thank you very much Omicron.

We know that vaccinations are a part of fighting this surge and the figures reported on 14 Dec 21 say that only 76.2% of people in Histon & Impington have had two doses and just 38% have had a booster. The national numbers are 81.5% and 43% respectively so we could do better. Please sign up and get your jabs now.

We are now on plan B which means face coverings in all public indoor settings, working from home (if possible) and Covid passports for large events.

The press conference on Wednesday was sobering and it was down to Professor Whitty to spell it out in simple but stark terms how he thinks we should approach Xmas. Don’t ‘cancel Xmas’ but scale back the events. Meet fewer people and avoid larger gatherings, especially indoor ones.

We are fortunate in Histon & Impington. There is good compliance when it comes to using face coverings and by and large social distancing is observed. Our cafes and restaurants have outside facilities and several continue to practice the Covid measures of early in the year. They can be visited with confidence.

The Covid alert level was increased to 4 at the beginning of the week. Nobody knows when it is likely to be go down again so until then we’ve got to be patient, look after our fellow people and follow the rules: get a jab, wear a face covering and avoid unnecessary contacts.

The guidance from the NHS is unchanged.

• get vaccinated against COVID-19 – everyone aged 12 and over can book vaccination appointmentsnow
• meet people outside if possible
• open doors and windows to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
• limit the number of people you meet and avoid crowded places
• wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when it’s hard to stay away from other people (particularly indoors or in crowded places)
• wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day

Finally: if you are, or you know somebody who is, having difficulty with life because of Covid please contact your street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

It seems to have been a long time since we published our last Covid digest but it was only a little over 3 months ago. At that time we were bemoaning a high 7-day number of new infections, 40-50 were being recorded in August, and our infection rate was 364 per one hundred thousand. The 7-day number is now at 65 and the rate is at 539. This compares with 590 for South Cambridgeshire, 526 for Cambridgeshire and 439 for England.

And now we’ve got the omicron variant just when we seemed to be working our way through the latest surge in delta cases.

We understand that one of the reasons behind our high numbers is a low rate of vaccination and that hasn’t changed since the summer. Please, if you haven’t been vaccinated yet sign up and get it done. Getting vaccinated and behaving carefully (see below) are the two things that we, as individuals, can do to make a difference.

The good news though is that the Addenbrookes numbers are down and it is not experiencing a crisis of demand for Covid treatment being more than it can deliver.

There are new laws: we must wear face-coverings in retail settings and on public transport. And there’s updated guidance from the NHS:

• get vaccinated against COVID-19 – everyone aged 12 and over can book vaccination appointments now
• meet people outside if possible
• open doors and windows to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
• limit the number of people you meet and avoid crowded places
• wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when it’s hard to stay away from other people (particularly indoors or in crowded places)
• wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day

It’s probably fair to say that locally we have relaxed a little. Although many people continue to wear face-coverings and to avoid close contact it’s not as many as it was. Given what’s now happening it’s perhaps best that we exercise a little more caution in the forthcoming weeks. We won’t on our own affect any national decisions of course but we will make our neighbours and others more confident that we are all doing our bit to minimise the spread of infection locally. And we will show respect to our local retailers who are doing their best to comply with the law.

Our advice therefore is that we follow the NHS guidelines above but that we also test regularly and self-isolate if we test positive. And if you have not been vaccinated, or you’ve had your first two jabs but not yet had your booster, sign up now and get it done. Get vaccinated now!

If you need or someone you know needs help our local Covid helpline number is 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

The Covid infection rate stats have made pretty grim reading for Histon & Impington over the last weeks. From being one of the least impacted parts of the country it’s seemed that we have become one of the worst with  a 7-day infection rate of 40-50 infections being recorded though the end of July and into August. The infection rate was 364 per hundred thousand people in the seven days to 14 Aug 21 compared with 300 for the total UK, 308 for Cambridgeshire and 313 for South Cambs (all to 19 Aug 21).

Why?

It’s easy to be wise after the event of course but a rise to national levels was to be expected following the big ‘freedom’ of 19 Jul 21. With people being allowed to travel and congregate without limit there would be no barriers to the spread of infection. It was perhaps surprising that rates did not rise to the levels suggested (50-100,000/day) but not that they would even out across the country. What we saw was the impact of infections elsewhere being ‘imported’ now that we no longer had the rules in place to keep them out.

The bigger surprise though has been that we are not just seeing a national level of infection but something worse and that’s simply a consequence of (a) our success in being low infection, and (b) relatively low levels of vaccination locally especially in Cambridge. Once we were open to infection it took advantage of the opportunity afforded by so many people who had not yet been infected and/or vaccinated.

Living in our community we don’t seem to be acting in a way that implies a fear of infection. People are still out and about and our businesses are open and supplying the goods and services which we need. But we do all seem to be acting with responsibility. Masks are being worn inside and most of our businesses are steering a responsible course between no rules and continuing to observe basic mask-wearing and social distancing guidance. Thank you; everyone!

There are no rules anymore but there is NHS ‘guidance’ at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

• Meet outside, or open windows and doors for indoor visitors
• If you think you have symptoms stay at home and take a PCR test
• Wear face coverings in crowded places and on public transport
• Check in to venues when you go out
• Wash your hands with soap regularly, and for at least 20 seconds
• Get vaccinated (go to https://bit.ly/2Wd7ua7 to find out who can be vaccinated)

If you need or someone you know needs help our local Covid helpline number is 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

Those who track the stats will know that last week any smugness about Histon & Impington continuing with a pretty low infection rate is of the past. In the 7 days up to 20 Jul 21 43 new infections were recorded for a rate of 356 per hundred thousand. That compares with 532 for England as a whole and 341 for South Cambs which are both for the period up to 25 Jul 21 (ie they are more up to date). The South Cambs numbers are said to be ‘stabilising’.

Addenbrookes’ admission are also up but with proportionately fewer in intensive care when compared to earlier in the year.

Our community appears to be behaving with remarkable responsibility with a high level of mask wearing and attention to social distancing. Our businesses are doing likewise and the statements from Tesco (https://bit.ly/3kVklYf) and the Co-Op (https://coop.uk/2UPItkq) have both been supportive with employees continuing to wear masks and customers being encouraged to do likewise.

Our hospitality businesses are all doing their best  to navigate a middle road between unbridled freedom and slavish adherence to old rules. The guidance on the Red Lion Facebook page is fairly typical:

‘Further to the government announcements, we here at the Red Lion will still put the health & safety of our customers and staff above all else. We will still wear masks to serve you. It’s your choice if you want wear them when moving around and you can come to the bar to order and pay.

We’d like you to sit back down as soon you can. Ordering on the app is still the best inside or out and we can do table service inside if none of these options suit you.’

Many people have rather enjoyed table service and it’s good to see that this will still be supported. The Guardian thinks that will indeed continue https://bit.ly/36YEDrE

And to repeat what we said last week, this means that we should:

• Continue to observe ‘hands, face and space’ especially in crowded indoor spaces;
• Be tolerant of those who choose not to relax their behaviour. And of those who do;
• Recognize that vulnerable people may now feel less safe in our community; and
• Support our businesses and whatever rules they put in place

Our community has looked after itself in exemplary fashion. However the changes will probably bring more stress. If that happens and you or anyone you know does need any help for any reason please contact the street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

Monday (19 Jul 21) is talked of as being ‘Covid Freedom Day’ but that doesn’t mean that we’ll be free of Covid. It just means is that we’ll be free of the rules which have governed our lives over the last 16 months or so and enabled us to fight off two surges in infection rates. Now we have a third surge but the strategy is to fight it in another way: no rules but rely on common sense.

We won’t be free as long as we live in the shadow of Covid so it is essential, whether or not we understand and agree with the Government’s strategy, that we do exercise common sense.

In Histon & Impington we continue to be blessed with a low infection rate. Although it’s sometime since we’ve been in the white zone (less than 3 infections over a seven day period) it’s hovering at 11 at present. That’s an incidence of 91 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to a national (England) average of about 350. It would be good if we could find a way to keep it that way.

Our local businesses have a dilemma. They have supported us so well during the periods of lock down and constrained activity and are naturally hoping that they can open up. However they also know that many people in the community are concerned. Many residents have reported their intention to continue to wear a face covering, especially indoors, and their worry about social distancing norms being abandoned.

Both the Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (https://bit.ly/3wJO6O9) and the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council (https://youtu.be/OSThyt2HVu8) have expressed support for the continuing wearing of masks in public places

Different businesses will respond in different ways and that’s their right. They will do so sensitive to what their customers want and it’s up to them to balance this with their need to trade profitably.

None of this is right or wrong. We all, businesses and customers, just need to exercise common sense and recognise that our collective behaviour over the next weeks will determine whether or not we can keep our local infection rate down.

This probably means that we should:

• Continue to observe ‘hands, face and space’ especially in crowded indoor spaces;
• Be tolerant of those who choose not to relax their behaviour. And of those who do;
• Recognize that vulnerable people may now feel less safe in our community; and
• Support our businesses and whatever rules they put in place

Our community has looked after itself in exemplary fashion. However the changes will probably bring more stress. If that happens and you or anyone you know does need any help for any reason please contact the street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

Since the last digest we’ve enjoyed a long spell in the infection white zone (less than 3 new infections over a seven day period) before suddenly seeing a leap at the end of last week. It’s been up to 12 and now it’s at 9. That of course is in the context of the national surge driven by the delta variant and the consequential postponement of ‘Covid freedom day’ which had been set for 21 Jun 21.

This is a matter of concern of course but at the moment we should think of it as pressing the ‘pause’ button and not of hitting rewind. With sensible behaviour and the continuing rollout of the vaccination program it appears that we can be confident about seeing an improvement again as we get into July.

In the meantime we should:

• Continue to be deliberately cautious. ‘Hands, face and space’ should continue to underline our behaviour around our community and elsewhere;
• Get a test when we display symptoms of the delta variant. These can be similar to those of a summer cold or hay fever so please err on the side of caution. Get tested!
• Be vaccinated as soon as we are called. Vaccination protects the individual and reduces transmission. The more people who get vaccinated the better it will be for all of us.

We have been looking forward to events through the summer as we have expected to emerge from  the final stages of lockdown but sadly some of these have been cancelled or can only go ahead under strict control. Several Feast related events have been cancelled although it is still intended that the Feast Market will proceed (10 Jul 21) albeit in a limited fashion and in a Covid compliant manner. A final announcement will be made at the end of the month.

However please note that the Flaming June Half Marathon is going ahead next Saturday, 20 Jun 21, because it was always planned to run this race under the current Covid rules.

Despite the current ‘pause’ increasing thought is being given to ‘life after Covid’ and the developing conclusion is that there isn’t one. There will be life of course but Covid will continue to be with us in the same way that the flu and other respiratory illnesses are. We will simply learn to live with it: getting booster vaccinations, avoiding infection hotspots and isolating (staying at home/in bed) when we’re ill.

Our community continues to look after itself in exemplary fashion. However if anyone does need any help for any reason they should contact their street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

It’s nothing to worry about but the infection rate in Histon and Impington has been back up to three before returning to the white zone. That’s a total of less than three new infections over a seven day period and that last such period was up to and including 18 May 21. Across South Cambs the rate remains low and we’re just seeing odd infections here and there with wards moving in and out of the white zone.

Elsewhere the situation is of course largely good but with some cause for concern because of the ‘Indian variant’ which seems to have established a position in Bedford. This rather suggests that we should not visit it for the time being not so much because of the risk of contracting Covid per se but of bringing the strain into our community.

The Indian variant notwithstanding and whether or not the next phase of release from lock down is delayed you’ve got to believe that we are getting on top of the pandemic nationally. With Covid cases in hospitals way down, high levels of vaccination and readily available testing the indicators continue to be positive. At least the pressure is now largely off the NHS for which we can be thankful.

Our GP surgeries have served us well. They have continued to be accessible and they have run the vaccination program incredibly well. However we need to be mindful of the pressures under which they continue to operate so:

• Please do not add to their workload by calling for help with ailments which you really should treat yourself. Remember that GP time is a scarce resource and we should not waste it; and
• Please be patient as they continue to roll out the vaccination program. It may be frustrating to have to wait but trying to jump the queue doesn’t help anybody.

Most important though: if you are in contact with our surgeries be nice to them!

Lots of us have now self-administered a ‘lateral flow test’. Kits are freely available at pharmacies and it’s worth having a box to hand and doing a test if you are about to participate in a large gathering and/or have just been to one. It’s not compulsory but it’s not a bad idea.

The Covid response team has met and continues to monitor the needs of the community. If anyone does need any help for any reason they should contact their street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

The infection rate in Histon and Impington has been ‘white’ for several days now. Neighbouring villages are also white and the overall rate for South Cambs has gone down enough that on the NHS map it’s now showing as yellow. That’s all round good news which rather suggests that we can enter the next phase of the release of lockdown with some, albeit cautious, confidence.

Next Monday (17 May 21) sees us entering this next phase and the headline changes which are most relevant for us are:

• people will be able to meet indoors in groups of up to six or as two households, or outdoors in groups of up to 30 people;
• pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to serve people indoors but social distancing rules continue to apply and it’s still table service only. If you do use these businesses please obey their rules. They are there for a purpose!
• adult sport and exercise classes can resume indoors; and
• pupils will no longer be expected to wear face coverings in classrooms. Twice weekly home testing will remain in place.

Note that although the rules on hugging and social distancing have to some extent been relaxed and are left to individual discretion it is still compulsory to wear a face covering when in shops and in many other indoor circumstances.

Our businesses continue to respond. The King Bill is reopening (for outside service this Wednesday, 12 May 21) and the Histon Smokehouse (aka the Urban Shed) will reopen on Tuesday. We will have to wait a little longer for the Indian Ocean which is redecorating although it is still offering a takeaway service.

So it’s all good news then but we do need to be wary. It’s often the case when restrictions are eased that developing problems become manifest. It’s accepted that there’s been a build-up of mental health issues within the population and this will not go away just because lockdown is easing.

The fact that many of us will be so visibly normal and appreciative of the new rules may make it harder for others to cope. They may have suffered under lockdown and see no prospect of improvement. We all need to recognise this phenomenon and be sensitive to the needs of those friends, colleagues and neighbours who might remain ‘in a bad place’.

The Covid response team has not met but continues to monitor the needs of the community. If anyone does need any help for any reason they should contact their street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

The good news is that the group of four infections which Histon & Impington recorded a week ago has now slipped out of the calculation of our infection rate. It now stands at 3 and in terms of the infection per 100,000 inhabitants it’s now at about the same level as South Cambs in total.

The bad news is that the infection rate in Cambridge has gone up quite a bit and this even merited an item on Anglia News the other night. The Director of Public Health explained it in terms of increased social contact and if you’ve been into the City recently you can understand what she means. With the fine weather and the opportunity to visit ‘non-essential’ shops people have turned out in numbers and this has had an impact.

We can’t affect what others do of course but we can do our best to ensure that our community is protected. That means being wary about going into Cambridge and consciously avoiding busy shops and the like and observing the basic rules wherever we are: hands, face and space!

Local behaviour is largely very good and it’s a pleasure to be able to enjoy our local pubs and non-essential shops again. Our pubs are doing a great job in serving us outside, even though it’s still a little on the cold side, and we thank them for it. We note that although the King Bill is not yet open it’s nonetheless supporting several food stalls during the week and that the Urban Shed is gearing itself to reopen as the Histon Smokehouse in May.

It’s worth reminding ourselves, and repeating what we’ve said before:

• Follow the house rules. Pubs etc must confirm to strict Covid guidelines and that’s why they impose rules about what we must do in order to enjoy their hospitality. Don’t question their rules, just enjoy the beer.
• Don’t flaunt your jabs. Just because you’ve had one or both vaccinations doesn’t guarantee that you’re immune. You must continue to follow the basic rules: you may still catch Covid (albeit less seriously) and you may still be a transmission risk.
• Be tolerant, and mindful, of others. Relaxing the rules is not compulsory and some may choose not to. Respect them. Continue to observe hands, face and space and give others confidence that you understand how they might feel.

There’s been much reporting of the impact of lock down on people’s mental well-being. This may become apparent over the next weeks so please let’s all be mindful of our neighbours and colleagues, friends and family. We’ve said it before: if you sense someone’s a bit down, feeling glum or unnecessarily anxious give them a chance to talk about it. If you’re unsure about how you might do that maybe refer them to the Worry Tree Café at www.hifriends.org.uk.

If anyone does need any help for any reason they should contact their street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.

On Sunday, 11 Apr 21, (at least) four people tested positive for Covid in Histon & Impington.

Our infection rate as measured by the number of new infections recorded over the seven days up to 11 Apr 21 increased from three to seven. It’s nothing to worry too much about, it maybe relates to four new infections in one household, but it’s a timely warning that, as we begin to emerge from lockdown, that we still need to be very careful. That means remembering the basic rules: hands, face and space.

One thing we can be certain of is that this sudden increase was nothing to do with the big re-open which happened last Monday. The impact of this is unlikely to be felt for another two weeks.

The easing of lock-down with all shops on the High Street now open and lots of opportunities for alfresco dining at our pubs appears to have gone ahead smoothly. We seem to have enjoyed this extra freedom and taken it for what it is viz just a small step to be appreciated and not abused.

It’s worth reminded ourselves:

• Follow the house rules. Pubs etc must confirm to strict Covid guidelines and that’s why they impose rules about what we must do in order to enjoy their hospitality. Don’t question their rules, just enjoy the beer.
• Don’t flaunt your jabs. Just because you’ve had one or both vaccinations doesn’t guarantee that you’re immune. You must continue to follow the basic rules: you may still catch Covid (albeit less seriously) and you may still be a transmission risk.
• Be tolerant, and mindful, of others. Relaxing the rules is not compulsory and some may choose not to. Respect them. Continue to observe hands, face and space and give others confidence that you understand how they might feel.

There’s been much reporting of the impact of lock down on people’s mental well-being. This may become apparent over the next weeks so please let’s all be mindful of our neighbours and colleagues, friends and family. We’ve said it before: if you sense someone’s a bit down, feeling glum or unnecessarily anxious give them a chance to talk about it. If you’re unsure about how you might do that maybe refer them to the Worry Tree Café at www.hifriends.org.uk.

The Covid19 response team continues to monitor the data which it’s getting and this indicates that our community is coping rather well, we’re looking after each other and demand for exceptional help and support appears to be minimal. However it is aware that problems might be hidden and encourages us all to stay alert and look out for each other.

If anyone does need any help for any reason they should contact their street co-ordinator or call the HICOVID19 helpline on 01223 320420.

Click here for a pdf of this digest.