COVID-19 update from Haringey’s Director of Public Health, Dr Will Maimaris

Cases of COVID-19 are now rising in every region of the UK. Data to the 10 March shows an increase of 52.9% in reported cases in the UK over the past week.

Hospital data has also shown that COVID-19 hospitalisations have continued to increase to 1,253 on 4 March, marking a 23.4% rise from the week before.

In Haringey, infection rates have begun to gradually increase again after a prolonged period of reduction, following the Omicron peak at Christmas. Hospitalisations remain stable locally.

On a more positive note, there has also been a steep reduction in fatalities linked to the virus, with around 1 in 1,000 confirmed Covid infections proving fatal. 

This spike in infections is doubtless linked to the ending of legal restrictions in England. As of 24 February, all COVID-19 restrictions were scrapped, and free mass testing will stop from 1 April.

All of us can play our part by understanding the situations where risks of COVID-19 infection and transmission are likely to be higher and taking actions to reduce these risks.

While no situation is risk free, there are easy and effective actions you can take to protect yourself and others around you.

Vaccination is our first defence against COVID-19 and the protection the vaccines offer has saved thousands of lives and prevented countless serious illnesses.  It’s never too late to get vaccinated and you can find details on our website of where you can get your vaccine in Haringey.

The old adage ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ has never been more relevant, not only to protect ourselves  from Covid, but also other seasonal colds and flus. Combined with regular handwashing or using hand sanitizer, particularly in public spaces, this is good practice that we should all be in the habit of doing.

While no longer legally required, we all know that it makes sense to wear a face covering, if we can, when in crowded or confined spaces. 

Similarly, if meeting other people indoors, open a window, even for a few minutes to ventilate the room with fresh air and allow any virus particles to escape.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature, a new persistent cough or a change to or loss of your sense of smell or taste, order a COVID test and if you test positive, stay at home and avoid contact with others. None of us want to be the one to pass on COVID-19 to our friends or family.

We know that COVID-19 will be with us for some time, so please play your part in keeping Haringey safe by practicing all of these safer behaviours and actions.

If you are worried about going back to a more ‘normal’ life, there is information from the NHS on how to cope with anxiety about lockdown lifting (external link).