Latest Data Shows Infection Increase in Hounslow Slowing

Large rises warned of earlier in the month appear not to have persisted

Hounslow’s rising cases of coronavirus have slowed in the last few days, data suggests.

Borough health bosses had previously warned residents that “large rises” of cases were being reported particularly across Heston, Hounslow Central, Hounslow West, Cranford and Chiswick.

Latest weekly data shows the borough had 18.1 cases per 100,000 people between August 10 to 16, up from 13.3 for the week up to August 9.

Hounslow’s figures continue to remain low compared to boroughs in other parts of the country where local lockdowns are in place. For example, the latest data for Oldham shows a weekly rate of 103.1 per 100,000.

Public Health England figures show during the August 10 to 16 period, that the cumulative rate of Hounslow’s cases since February rose from 434.6 to 450.1 per 100,000 – a hike of 15.5.

But daily data tracked by the Local Government Association shows a slowing down of confirmed cases, with the cumulative rate rising from 451.9 to 455.6 per 100,000 from August 17 to 23 – an increase of 3.7

The rate of 455.6 per 100,000 remained the same between August 21 to 23, until it hiked to 457.8 per 100,000 as of August 24.

Local authority chiefs last week urged residents to social distance from people not in their own households, and particularly in relation to visiting friends and family in their homes.

Walk-in testing centres were also open in Heston over Wednesday and Thursday for residents to check for coronavirus by doing a free swab, rather than booking an appointment in advance.

Borough leaders are also encouraging residents to volunteer to become community champions to spread awareness and messages to others over how to protect themselves from coronavirus.

On August 28, council leader Steve Curran said,“I’m pleased to report that, after the localised spikes in cases of coronavirus we experienced earlier this month, we are now back to the previous low and steady rate in the borough. Our cases per 100,000 currently stands at about 11. This equates to fewer than 30 positive cases reported in the last seven days, and at this time is below the average for northwest London.

"I’d like to say a big thank you to the people in the affected areas, particularly Heston, Cranford and Hounslow, who responded quickly to our targeted communications and call to action, both in terms of abiding by social distancing guidance and getting tested locally. About 1,000 people were tested over just two days at the mobile sites in Heston and Hanworth.

"This demonstrates clearly how we can work together to control the spread of this deadly infection and protect our friends, family and most vulnerable residents. I also want to thank our Community Champions, faith leaders and voluntary organisations for their assistance in quickly sharing important information and advice with their communities.
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For more information to get a test locally, click here.

To find out more about becoming a community champion click here.

Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter

August 30, 2020