Pillar 2 data released

The Government has finally released the Coronavirus 'Pillar 2' testing data. You will recall Mayor Dave Hodgson has been calling on the Government to provide this data, along with more detailed postcode level data to enable us to make better informed decisions locally.

The 'Pillar 2' data includes the results of tests carried out at drive-through centres and home testing kits processed in commercial labs. These have been the majority of Bedford Borough's tests for the last few weeks.

A full set of the combined 'Pillar 1' and 'Pillar 2' positive test numbers is at https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/region#category=utlas&map=rate (updated daily).

Bedford Borough has, as of last night, 1,227 positive tests - or a rate 715 per 100,000 residents (cumulative i.e. total to date). This is one of the highest rates in the country and the highest in the south of England.

While have not had a spike, like Leicester, we need to remain cautious. To avoid the risk of a local lockdown, slow the spread of the virus and save lives, I am urging residents to stay at home as much as possible this weekend. If you do need to go out keep two metres apart, wear a face covering (particularly on public transport), and regularly wash your hands and please do follow the guidance of any shop, pub, restaurant or business that you visit.

This week the Council adopted our Local Outbreak Plan and you can read it here. The Plan details what we will do if there is a new spike in cases or a localised outbreak. It is hoped the Council do not have to use it, but it is better to be prepared.

Mayor Dave is continuing to press for better and more detailed data and we should have the draft report of the Public Health England and Joint Biosecurity Centre's 'deep dive' next week.