Responding to Omicron

The latest data (up to 16 December) for Kent and Medway show a continuing rise in Covid infections. For Kent, the 7 day rate of infections per 100,000 population is 875, up 37.6% in a week. This is above the England average, though (only just) below that of the South East. Dartford (at 1264.7/ 100,000), Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells have the highest levels of infection. As elsewhere in the country, the Omicron variant is playing an increasing part in the spread of the virus.

Hospitalisations are increasing too, though so far at a relatively slow rate and are far below the levels seen in the early part of this year. The degree to which Omicron’s high transmission rate is offset by (possible) lower severity and the benefits of widespread vaccination remains uncertain.

KCC works alongside its partners (NHS, police, fire, district councils and others) in the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) in responding to this latest phase of the pandemic. The KRF’s recent media release sets out the progress in the vaccine booster campaign - with a doubling of vaccinations in the last week and a record number (33,700) of jabs last Saturday, increased sites becoming available and communications to reinforce the need to get vaccinated or boosted (I recorded a video message last week as part of the campaign). Take up appears strong in relation to national trends. Earlier this week our Cabinet reviewed all the actions being taken to ensure that we are supporting the booster drive to the fullest possible extent.

The media release also sets out other areas of work carried out by KCC and Medway Council, including testing sites, contact tracing and the Kent Together advice and support service. It also includes links to vaccination bookings, location of vaccination centres across Kent and Medway and other information.