Agenda item

Daily surveillance of COVID-19 data and intelligence is key to identifying increasing rates of COVID-19 in the community and taking prompt action as per Surrey’s Escalation Framework (ie deployment of mobile testing units, internal/external communications). A COVID-19 Intelligence Report for Surrey, summarising data that is in the public domain, is now being published every Monday and Thursday. In addition, 7-day cases and rates infographics is now being published daily. A process to support enhanced Local Contact Tracing data requirements is being established.

Witnesses:

Dr Rachel Gill - Public Health Consultant (SCC)

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.    The Public Health Consultant (SCC) introduced the COVID-19 Daily Data Dashboard, the bar chart showed the daily number of COVID-19 cases. Reporting delays meant that data could be incomplete for the most recent days, therefore the data shown was the last seven days of complete data for the week ending on 15 November 2020; in which there were 1,936 new cases in Surrey- there was a decrease of cases in Mole Valley and Guildford.

2.    Based on the number of cases, the rate for that seven-day period in Surrey was 161.8 per 100,000 population compared to 184 in South East England and 266.5 in England.

3.    She explained that the COVID-19 Intelligence Summary was published publicly on the Surrey County Council website bi-weekly every Monday and Thursday. The data was shared with a wide range of partners and it included data on the number of cases, the rate and R number nationally, county-wide, within Surrey’s eleven boroughs and districts, regional information and hospital activity, as well as further links to publicly available data sources with postcode level data.

4.    The Public Health Consultant (SCC) highlighted that Surrey ranked 98 out of all councils in England with a rate of 145.5 per 100,000 population in the seven days ending 16 November 2020 - with a range of 106.9 in Waverley to 220.3 in Runnymede per 100,000 population. The top ten ranking councils’ rates in England ranged from approximately 459 to 675.

5.    She noted the age-specific case rate heatmap for Surrey which showed that the 16-29 age range had the highest rates with cases spreading across the age groups and that mirrored the national pattern.

6.    She summarised the situational report for Surrey map which highlighted the number of cases in the last fourteen days by districts and boroughs ending 16 November 2020, with a range from 254 in Mole Valley to 445 in Spelthorne.

7.    Noted the change in the geographical allocation of cases due to PHE’s updated method in relation to the location of people who tested positive or negative for COVID-19. Previously the address was taken from an individuals’ NHS Summary Care Record created from GP medical records as opposed to the new location which prioritised the address given at the point of testing. The change meant the better geographical distribution of cases for example in the case of university students.

8.    She added that the change of location was applied retrospectively back to 1 September 2020 and as a result Surrey saw a 4% reduction of cumulative case numbers, with a 9% decrease in cumulative cases in Elmbridge and an 8% decrease in Waverley.

9.    Regarding the number of positive cases against the number of tests carried out, the Public Health Consultant (SCC) explained that the positivity rate was analysed daily and was the number of people who tested positive out of the number of people who were tested.

10.  A Board member praised the work of the Public Health and the Communications teams (SCC) and particularly the presentation of the data, noting that the daily data dashboard was clear and accessible. She added that the Board was fulfilling its key purpose of public engagement as evidenced by the public questions and the number of online impressions.

11.  A Board member noted that she had received concerns and many questions from residents who were shocked with Elmbridge’s escalation to Tier 2 - before the national lockdown. As a result of the change of location which prioritised the address given at the point of testing, she queried whether that would have made a difference to Elmbridge’s allocated tier - taking into consideration address changes for university students as an example. In response, the Public Health Consultant (SCC) noted that the subsequent 14% difference in cumulative cases after being applied retrospectively, would not have made a difference on the decision to escalate Elmbridge’s local alert level.

RESOLVED:

The Board:

1.    Noted the report.

2.    Would continue to provide political oversight of local delivery of the Test and Trace Service.

3.    Would continue to lead the engagement with local communities and be the public face of the local response in the event of an outbreak.

4.    Members would ensure appropriate information on the programme and on COVID-19 in Surrey is cascaded within their own organisations and areas of influence.

Actions/further information to be provided:

None.