Steep rises in COVID cases in Oxfordshire’s 17- and 18-year olds
Young people aged 16 to 18 in Oxfordshire are being reminded that the COVID vaccine is available to them after a whopping 227 per cent rise in cases among 17 and 18-year-olds in the space of just a week.
The rise in cases – with 396 cases recorded in people at these two ages – has contributed to a week on week rise of 32 per cent in cases overall in the county.
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Cases are now on a very substantial upward trend again in the county and the need for people to be cautious in their daily behaviour and get vaccinated remains very important.
“Notably, there’s been an exceptional increase in cases among those aged 17 and 18 over the course of just one week. We know that many young people are keen to come forward and get the vaccine as soon as possible. We urge you to look out for grab-a-jab clinics and for communication from your GP or to book through the National Booking System if you are eligible.
“While we know that most young people are less likely to suffer badly from COVID –there always remains a chance - we do know that young people can still pass it onto those in older age groups, and those at a higher risk of complications.
“Therefore, as we look towards the return of schools, colleges and universities in September, now is the perfect time to come forward and get protected against COVID and don’t forget to keep up with regular testing.”
Getting tested in Oxfordshire
There are plenty of options for local people to get tested to ensure that they are not carrying the virus with the possibility of passing it on to others.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms and wish to get tested there are several PCR facilities available:
- Drive-through facility at Oxford Parkway
- Banbury (Castle Quay shopping centre) - opening soon (an alternative mobile unit is available most days at Bodicote House).
- Oxford (Osney Lane, and Oxford Brookes University in Headington)
- Witney (Woodford Way car park).
Getting vaccinated in Oxfordshire
Booking a vaccine if you are 18 and over can be done simply via the NHS website
Meanwhile the local NHS are sometimes able to set-up walk-in vaccination clinics, with all the information available on Oxfordshire CCG’s website.
Case rates in Oxfordshire
The countywide rate for the week ending 20 August was 338.5 per 100,000
By district the rates are:
- Cherwell 299.7 cases per 100,000 of the population
- Oxford 345.0 cases per 100,000 of the population
- South Oxfordshire 351.3 cases per 100,000 of the population
- Vale of White Horse 326.5 cases per 100,000 of the population
- West Oxfordshire 380.5 cases per 100,000 of the population
Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.