Rates of COVID-19 continue to decrease across the whole of Cambridgeshire, and in every district they are now well below the national and regional average.

At four cases per 100,000 population for the week ending 22 May, Cambridgeshire is well below the England average of 23.6 and the regional average of 18.6.

Hospital admissions are still low and there have been no deaths since the end of April, which remains encouraging.

This looks encouraging, but past experience shows that this can change very quickly so it is still important to follow the rules and understand that getting back to a more normal way of life depends on all of us and the actions we take.

As previously reported, Fenland District Council, Peterborough City Council and South Holland District Council will be focusing on the food production, packaging and distribution, and general warehousing industries, lower paid workers and those on zero hour contracts who have higher rates of infection. These groups of workers often experience wage and job insecurity that affects willingness to be tested and to self-isolate if positive. In addition, they often experience overcrowded accommodation and travel to work arrangements that are not COVID-safe.

People aged 30 and over, or those who turn 30 before 1 July, are now being called to book their vaccine which they can do so at www.nhs.uk. The latest statistics on vaccine delivery for local authorities are available under the ‘weekly data’ heading on Statistics » COVID-19 Vaccinations (england.nhs.uk)

People are also still being called to have their second vaccine – it is vital to have both doses to give the best possible protection.