Young adults account for half of all new COVID-19 cases in Oxfordshire
Young people in Oxfordshire aged between 18 and 29 are being encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible and continue with twice-weekly testing as cases in the county continue to rise.
In the seven days up to 18 June, cases have increased to 422 (a rate of 61 per 100,000) from 283 the previous week, with 50 per cent of these positive cases falling within the 18 - 29 age group. Oxford City and South Oxfordshire have seen the highest increases.
All 18 - 29 year olds are now able to book a vaccine appointment.
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “The Delta variant is being shown to be considerably more transmissible than the previously dominant Alpha variant, and this is clear in Oxfordshire where we have seen an almost fifty per cent increase in new cases over the past week alone.
“It seems that this variant appears to have hit the younger age groups in Oxfordshire hardest, and unfortunately it is this age group which is also the least likely to have received their vaccines yet.
“Therefore, we are encouraging everybody over the age of 18 to book their jab as soon as they receive the text message alert. They may be invited to their GP practice or they can book an appointment through the national NHS booking service.”
Pop-up vaccination clinics at Oxford Brookes University and Oxford University have started yesterday (23 June) and, as part of vaccination ‘Super Saturday’ events, there are two pop-up clinics running this weekend in Oxford city for those who have booked appointments and for walk-ins.
In July pop-up clinics will be held at large businesses which have a younger age workforce, together with mobile vaccination clinics using NHS Health on the Move vans.
Ansaf continued: “If you struggle to book your vaccination locally first time, please keep trying. New slots will be released as soon as vaccine deliveries are confirmed.
“In the meantime, everybody should continue with twice-weekly lateral flow testing, stick to hands, face, space, ventilate where they can, and remember that socialising outdoors is far safer than indoors.
“It’s also important not to forget that you must have two doses of the vaccine to receive the full protection and that the first dose does not start offering notable protection until two weeks after the jab has been administered.”
It is now easier than ever to get a lateral flow test. Those residents who are not tested through their school or workplace can order a pack through the gov.uk website or by calling 119. Alternatively, they can also be collected from test sites and pharmacies. One pack contains seven tests.
National guidance on the current status of roadmap rules can also be found on gov.uk
Case rates by district in Oxfordshire
The overall case rate in Oxfordshire stands at 61 per 100,000. By district the figures are as follows:
- Cherwell 47.8 per 100,000
- Oxford 78.2 per 100,000
- South Oxfordshire 71.8 per 100,000
- Vale of White Horse 45.6 per 100,000
- West Oxfordshire 60.6 per 100,000