Number of people with coronavirus in Westminster sees slight increase

By Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

The number of people with coronavirus in Westminster has seen a slight increase to 303.5 cases per 100,000, according to the latest government data.

The number of cases refer to test results by the end of last week (week 26) and had increased from a rate of 296.9 cases per 100,000 people the previous week.

And as of Wednesday of last week there were 704 cases overall in Westminster since the pandemic started, according to government data.

The data released publicly by Public Health England now includes the so-called Pillar 2 as well as Pillar 1 test results.

Pillar 1 data comes from tests that were carried out by the NHS or in social care settings.

Pillar 2 data comes from tests carried out in the community, such as ones that are posted to households or carried out at drive-through centres.

Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, Westminster’s shadow spokeswoman for public health, said: “I’m just relieved that numbers are low.

“You would expect Pillar 1 numbers to be low as hopefully transmission in hospitals isn’t happening any more, and people should be tested in the community before going into hospital.

“So I’m relieved that Pillar 2 isn’t too high in Westminster,” she said.

The release of data featured in a row after the lockdown in Leicester as local officials said it would have made a huge difference if they had had all the Pillar 2 figures previously.

Leicester recorded just 80 new positive tests between June 13 to 26. But health secretary Matt Hancock revealed that there were in fact 944 positive cases during that fortnight, after Pillar 2 data was added.

Public Health England’s London region said it has shared “data across all pillars of testing,” with all the London boroughs since the beginning of May.

And a spokeswoman said it has routinely shared detailed data, including test results with councils’ heads of public health since the pandemic started in March.

This week Westminster City Council published its outbreak control plan.

It sets out measures for controlling any new outbreaks of coronavirus, including managing cases in schools and care homes, how to get tests done swiftly, and supporting vulnerable people – including black and ethnic minority communities – who have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19.

The response to any outbreaks in the capital will be led by the London Covid-19 Response Centre (LCRC).

But local councils, including Westminster, are responsible for support, including helping high risk communities and groups, the local economy, essential services and workforce issues, and helping those who have to shield by self-isolating.

Last month Hackney council’s director of public health criticised the lack of detail in the data.

He said: “I find that just being told ‘This number of people, this number of positive tests and this number of contact tracing in your area,’ is not particularly useful information.

“It doesn’t help me to know what the context was. Without having any further information about it, neither they nor I know whether it was related to a care home unless the person tells them.”

Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for public health and adult social care for Westminster City Council, said: “We have been made aware of a number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Westminster over the past week.

“However, although we have seen an increase in the number of cases in the borough, this number is still relatively low.

“We want to reassure everyone that we’re working closely with Public Health England and the NHS to help prevent any spread of the virus in our city.

“We have a robust plan in place to help identify outbreaks in the borough, so we can protect the health and safety of our residents, who are our utmost priority.

“While lockdown is beginning to ease, we encourage people to continue to follow Government guidelines on social distancing and washing their hands.

“If you, or anyone in your household is displaying symptoms, please stay at home and book a test through NHS Test and Trace.”