Residents urged to get vaccinated to stop new variants in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire residents are being encouraged to ensure that they come forward as soon as they are eligible to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as one of the best ways to stop any new variants spreading.
This comes as the variant first identified in India continues to spread across parts of the country.
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health said: “We’ve generally seen better than expected take up of the vaccine, and as a country we’re really moving quickly, which is great.
“However, as seen elsewhere in the country, people are still getting ill from the virus – especially among those who have not received the vaccine, but are eligible, or have only received one dose.
“But data does seem to suggest that for most people, receiving both doses of the vaccine helps to prevent them from getting ill. Therefore, it is absolutely vital that we all come forward as soon as possible to get both doses of the vaccine if we are to continue to stop the spread in Oxfordshire and protect our most vulnerable residents.
“It’s also vital that everyone follows the ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ guidance and takes part in rapid symptom-free testing twice a week. Over the last 14 days, over half of our cases have been identified through rapid lateral flow tests – so testing remains a vital part of our fight against the virus. This will help protect those who are not fully vaccinated or may have other vulnerabilities.
“We should also continue to self-isolate if we test positive or have symptoms. We must not let this new variant undo the progress we have made – we are now so close.”
Those over 30, and those who will turn 30 before 1 July 2021, are now eligible to receive the vaccine in Oxfordshire. Over 634,800 doses have been administered in Oxfordshire already, and nearly 95 per cent of those over 70 across Oxfordshire have now received both doses.
What is the current picture in Oxfordshire?
The current number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 of the population in Oxfordshire is 8.1.
- Cherwell: 10.6
- Oxford: 9.2
- South Oxfordshire: 4.2
- Vale of White Horse: 5.1
- West Oxfordshire: 11.7