Croydon Hospital refuses to say how many Covid patients have been vaccinated as cases rise

By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter

Croydon University Hospital will not say how many coronavirus patients being treated have had one or two vaccinations.

The hospital in London Road is currently caring for 27 Covid-19 patients, four of whom are on ventilation.

So far in the borough, more than 301,000 doses of the vaccination have been administered, but cases are still rising.

The latest figures in Croydon currently stood at 300 per 100,000 people for the seven days up to July 13, this is up from 216 per 100,000 in the previous week.

Overall in London the case rate is 311 per 100,000 for the week up to July 13 and 398 in England.

Rachel Flowers, director of public health at Croydon Council, said: “Incidence rates in Croydon are still rising so I would encourage everyone to stay safe by continuing to follow the advice on infection control. Hands, space, face, fresh air is still a thing.

“Please can I ask, if you haven’t had two jabs of the vaccine, please do, that makes the difference, let’s together keep Croydon safe.”

According to Public Health England’s latest Covid-19 vaccine surveillance report, by July 11 the overall uptake in England for dose 1 was 61.8 per cent and 46.9 per cent for dose 2.  

And it is estimated that the vaccine programme has directly averted more than 46,300 hospitalisations. 

The report said: “PHE estimates to 27 June 2021 based on the direct effect of vaccination and vaccine coverage rates, are that around 46,300 hospitalisations have been prevented in those aged 65 years and over in England.

“The indirect effects of the vaccination programme will not be incorporated in this analysis, therefore the figure of 46,300 hospitalisations averted is likely to be an underestimate.”

Croydon University Hospital have been contacted for comment.