Slough covid infection rate rockets - the age groups worst affected

[Cookham v Coronavirus]

Bosses in Slough are growing increasing worried about very high covid infection rates in the town.

The infection rate in over 60s and young adults has continued to surge despite the nationwide lockdown.

Figures in the week leading to Thursday, November 12, show the rate has spiralled from 236.1 cases per 100,000 people to 344.4 in Slough.

The figure among the over 60s is 186.6 per 100,000 and for young adults aged between 17 and 21 the infection rate has rocketed to 446.9.

A spokeswoman for Slough Borough Council told BerkshireLive there is an increasing concern over the levels among young people, who are statistically less likely to be badly affected by the virus.

However, the combination of a lot of young people and a lot of older people with the virus is a catastrophe, even though people are not supposed to be mixing due to the current restrictions.

She said: "We know that young people are generally not as badly affected as older people by the virus.

"However, the issue is that they can very easily infect older people.

"Having high rates in both groups is very worrying.

"Our rates are continuing to rise in Slough.

"We've said before it's not just down to the council, everyone has to follow the rules to try to get these numbers into a decline."

The spokeswoman also said there was evidence in Slough suggest people are confused by what isolation entails.

She said: "We have a lot of evidence of confusion of what isolation actually means.

"We've heard people say they've started having symptoms, and continued to do things like go to the shops and go out for their daily exercise.

"To be clear, you can't do that.

"If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you, and your family have to stay at home for two weeks.

"The only reason you can leave is if you go for a test. You can't pop to the shops, or go for walk.

"Even if you feel better, you must get tested and then stay at home until you get the results.

"If those are positive you must self-isolate."

She added there various schemes available for people in the borough who might be on benefits, or self-employed. There are also services which can help with things like food deliveries for families who find themselves at home.