Both counties rates are much lower than that seen in parts of Essex and Hertfordshire, as well as the whole of Greater London, which found out yesterday it would be entering the highest level, Tier 3.
For example, the London Borough of Havering, with 1,321 cases in the week to December 9 meant a rate of 509 per 100,000, which puts Norfolk’s rate into some perspective, and suggests Tier 3 status would be highly unlikely at this point.
The over 60s
Norfolk’s rate has been on an upward trend in both the under 60s and the over 60s since late November. Rates among people aged over 60 were at 77.9 on December 9, rising from 63.6 in just over a fortnight.
Dr Justin O Grady
Published:
5:30 PM December 15, 2020
Scientists in Norwich are researching and tracking the Covid variant. Stock image.
- Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Health Secretary’s announcement in the House of Commons about a “new variant of coronavirus which may be associated with the fastest spread in the south-east of England” needs to be considered in context.
All RNA viruses mutate. As a virus makes copies of itself, occasionally a random change happens that propagates, sometimes the change or mutation is significant but often it’s not. We can expect a virus to mutate.
With SARS-CoV-2 these mutations happen at a rate of around one to two mutations per month and, as a result of this on-going process, many thousands of mutations have already arisen in the SARS-CoV-2 genome since the virus first emerged in 2019.
Emergency services at the scene of a crash on Red Lion Street in Norwich.
- Credit: Simon Parkin
Police have urged anybody who was in Norwich when a woman in her 80s was hit by a bus to step forward with information.
She suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident and was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further treatment - and remains in a serious condition.
The incident saw the road closed for more two hours and bus services diverted while police carried out investigations of the scene. It re-opened around 4.30pm.
Now, officers have appealed for anybody that saw the collision and did not speak to police at the time to come forward with information.
Both counties rates are much lower than that seen in parts of Essex and Hertfordshire, as well as the whole of Greater London, which found out yesterday it would be entering the highest level, Tier 3.
For example, the London Borough of Havering, with 1,321 cases in the week to December 9 meant a rate of 509 per 100,000, which puts Norfolk’s rate into some perspective, and suggests Tier 3 status would be highly unlikely at this point.
The over 60s
Norfolk’s rate has been on an upward trend in both the under 60s and the over 60s since late November. Rates among people aged over 60 were at 77.9 on December 9, rising from 63.6 in just over a fortnight.
“I was really pleased because I thought it would be complicated but it was so straightforward and simple,” she said.
“They gave me a time for this visit and one in three weeks time, and I was really pleased to have the opportunity.
“I m quite surprised, I didn t think it was going to be as straightforward as it was.
“My experience is that there is absolutely no problem. I ve had it now and it was so straightforward and it is to help us all to move on.
GP practices across Norfolk and Waveney are poised to start vaccinating patients against COVID-19. One of the hubs is St James Medical Practice in King s Lynn.