Vaccination roll-out approaches the 50,000 people mark in Cardiff and the Vale
OVER 44,000 Covid19 vaccines have been administered in Cardiff and the Vale, according to figures released today.
There is further positive news in Cardiff, as cases and deaths are also beginning to fall – but we’re not out of the woods yet.
Deciphering the data around Covid can be tricky, so The Cardiffian has put together a snapshot of what the latest evidence tells us about the city.
Vaccinations
So far 44,707 vaccine doses have been given in Cardiff and the Vale, according to the latest data from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, including 2,435 yesterday.
These figures are primarily the first dose of the vaccine, and have mostly gone to frontline healthcare workers and the over 80s, followed by social care workers and care home staff and residents.
There are currently two versions of the Covid vaccine being administered in Cardiff.
The Pfizer vaccine, which is being delivered through mass vaccination centres and satellite clinics, is going mostly to frontline health and social care staff and those classed as ‘extremely clinical vulnerable’.
The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine meanwhile, is being administered mainly to the over 75s, those who are housebound, and carehome staff and residents, through GP practices and mobile vaccination teams.
This strategy is very likely because of the difference in storage temperature between the two. The Pfizer vaccine requires a temperature of -70C, which makes transporting and storing doses very difficult. In contrast, the Oxford vaccine can be stored in a regular fridge, and is much more suitable for small clinical practices without specialist equipment.
Both versions of the vaccine require two doses. Relatively few of those vaccinated in Cardiff and the Vale so far have received both doses of either vaccine, however evidence suggests that the first dose does offer significant short-term protection from serious illness.
Cases and Case Rates
According to Public Health Wales, the number of confirmed Covid cases reported in Cardiff today is 67.
The latest available data shows that the worst affected areas are Adamsdown, with around 480 cases per 100,000 people, and Ely West, with around 439 cases per 100,000.
The lowest case rate in Cardiff is in the Cyncoed South and Roath Park area, with around 79 per 100,000.
After a sharp spike in December, Covid cases in the city have been gradually decreasing since lockdown measures were imposed, and the percentage of Covid tests that yield a positive result is now around 14%, down from 20% at the beginning of the year.
These are positive signs, but it will likely still be some time before Cardiff can safely reopen. The World Health Organization recommends that the case positivity rate in an area should be 5% or lower for at least 14 days before lockdown restrictions are eased.
Hospitalisations
Between 10th-17th January, 114 people were hospitalised in Cardiff and Vale with a positive test result either prior to or on admission to hospital. This was a decrease of 42 from the previous week.
As of yesterday, a total of 28 ventilated critical care beds in the area are occupied by confirmed, recovering or suspected Covid19 patients, accounting for around 48% of ventilated critical care patients.
These figures are stark, but mark an improvement on the beginning of the year, when for a brief period all critical care beds were occupied.
Deaths
82 people in Cardiff died from Covid19 in the first two weeks of January, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. The majority of deaths occurred in hospital.
Deaths peaked at the beginning of January, likely as a result of the spike in hospitalisations in December, but we’re now seeing a gradual decrease.
