Cambridgeshire has been granted an extension of its Covid ‘Enhanced Response Area’ status for three weeks, to Christmas Eve.

This does not mean more restrictions for local residents than in the rest of England. But it does mean continued intervention in schools. 42 per cent of all Covid infections are in the 0-17 age group. It also means continued support for vaccination teams, contacting households in areas of low uptake. And Cambridgeshire has benefited from extra communications on preventing Covid spreading.

The application to extend the county’s status was made by the area’s Director of Public Health, supported by leading politicians. Work in schools will include identifying close and household contacts, and enabling daily rapid Covid testing, including in primary schools.

Vaccination uptake in 12–15 year olds has increased rapidly in most areas during the county’s ERA status. “Pre-ERA we were considerably below both the England and East of England average for the numbers of 12–15 year-olds who were vaccinated. Now all areas in Cambridgeshire are above the England average, and most are also above the East of England average too,” the Director of Public Health says.

“We are pleased this extension will allow us to continue measures that have only just got going and need longer. This will support schools where there are significant issues with Covid until the Christmas break, and continue to drive up vaccine uptake.”