A verbal update is to be provided on the surveillance of the data and intelligence concerning COVID-19.
Minutes:
Witnesses:
Dr Naheed Rana - Public Health Consultant (SCC)
Key points raised in the discussion:
1. The Public Health Consultant (SCC) noted:
· that daily the triggers and escalations concerning the number of cases were reviewed and intelligence concerning infection rates and vaccinations was triangulated in order to understand the direction of travel.
· that the latest reporting figures for Surrey for the fourteen-day period between 29 March - 11 April 2021 was 28.8 cases per 100,000 population and the seven-day period between 5 - 11 April was 12.1 cases per 100,000 population.
· that the fourteen-day period provided a more stable view of infection rates and to be mindful of the reporting delays for the most recent four days.
· that over the fourteen-day period Surrey’s infection rate was lower than both England and the South East, and over the most recent seven-day period Woking had the highest case rate in Surrey of 23.8 per 100,000 and Elmbridge had the lowest case rate of 6.6 per 100,000 population.
· the fluctuation in the epi curve over the three lockdowns, highlighting the first lockdown in March 2020 and the most recent reopening of schools on 8 March 2021 and non-essential retail opening on 12 April 2021.
· the importance of continuing to track cases in relation to the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown with the total number of cases in Surrey as at 12 April 2021 was 69,848 since the beginning of the pandemic and the latest case rate was 46.8 per 100,000 population.
· the case rate heatmap for Surrey from March 18 - 8 April 2021 by age group was dominated by lighter colours due to lower cases as a result of the January lockdown, partnership effort and compliance of residents.
· the case rate heatmaps by districts and boroughs from 16 March - 12 April 2021 showed darker areas reflecting high infection rates in age groups following the reopening of schools, later moving to lighter colours.
· the weekly case rates for Surrey and surrounding areas in the South East from 12 March - 8 April 2021 with the most recent heatmap dominated by lighter colours 0-24.9 per 100,000 population.
· the triangulation work in which greater data and intelligence was being received in terms of case rates and vaccine uptake broken down by age, Index of Multiple Deprivation deciles at Middle Super Output Area (MSOA); which were used to tackle areas of concern.
· the bi-weekly Covid-19 intelligence summary and the daily dashboard of Surrey Covid-19 cases - including vaccination data - were both being published weekly beginning 1 April 2021 due to smaller fluctuations in case rates.
Dr Charlotte Canniff joined the meeting at 2.13 pm
2. The Chairman welcomed the comprehensive presentation and the graphics which showed Surrey’s journey through the pandemic.
3. A Board member commended the surge testing for the South African variant in Surrey which was under control but noted the rise in cases in South West London such as Wandsworth, querying the current situation in Surrey in relation to that variant and what needed to be done.
- In response, the Public Health Consultant (SCC) noted:
· the quick launch of Surrey’s surge testing which revealed that the variant was not a huge concern in Surrey.
· the regular sequencing of cases to determine whether positive Covid-19 cases in Surrey residents were from the South African variant, especially concerning those located in any postcodes bordering London.
· that Surrey was more equipped to initiate surge testing rapidly as opposed to door to door knocking, learning from South West London and its use of Mobile Testing Units (MTUs).
· that isolation advice for the variant was the same and as usual the contact tracing system would follow up positive cases.
· that the variant was being contained thanks to local and national efforts, and in the event of a concern regional directors of Public Health and colleagues assembled rapidly to address the issue.
4. The Board member thanked the Public Health Consultant (SCC) for the individualised response above but asked what could be done as a system particularly due to parts of Surrey bordering South West London.
- The Public Health Consultant (SCC) noted that as a system Surrey continued in its partnership working with any matters of concern to be raised at the Incident Management Group.
RESOLVED:
The Board noted the verbal update and presentation.
Actions/further information to be provided:
None.