Reading covid figures as hundreds test positive each week

In the last week of September, 118 people tested positive for covid (in the seven days leading to Saturday, October 1).

That’s according to the latest figures from the Government coronavirus website.

Increasing case numbers and the flu season were discussed at a meeting of Reading Borough Council’s health and wellbeing board on Friday, October 7.

At the meeting, councillors received an update on Covid-19 figures.

Statistics show the number of people who have received a booster Covid-19 vaccine is below target.

The target is set at 75 per cent of people aged 16+.

However, in Reading, 53.3 per cent of people aged 12+ have had a third vaccine dose.

Amounts of 16 people who have received a third booster from December 2020 to September 2022. Credit: Reading Health and Wellbeing Board

A map in a council report shows the numbers of people within each Lower Super Output area in Reading.

The area with the least third doses was an area in Church ward, where 3,394 people have no third dose vaccination, followed by an area in Whitley (2,042 with no third dose) and an area in Katesgrove (1,905 with no third dose).

Figures for how many people who have no third dose of a coronavirus vaccine in Reading by Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) on September 23. Credit: Reading Health and Wellbeing Board

Sadly, two people in Reading died after a Covid-19 diagnosis in the seven days leading to Friday, September 2.

That means a total of 419 people have sadly died after testing positive for Covid-19 since records began in March 2020.

Until April this year, the number of Covid-19 cases and vaccinations could be monitored on the Public Health for Berkshire Covid-19 dashboard. However, the dashboard was deactivated.

The page it used to be on states: “Due to the scaling down of testing, any case rate, testing and positivity data will not represent the true picture in the area. This means the data we have been providing via our dashboard is no longer reliable or fully accurate.

“So, we have removed the dashboard section of our Berkshire Public Health website.”

Public Health for Berkshire continues to monitor Covid-19 figures on a monthly basis.

The figures come as concerns grow about the flu, which is highly infectious.

To protect those at risk, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has confirmed that everyone aged 50 and over will be among those offered a Covid-19 booster and flu jab this autumn to help increase protection against respiratory viruses ahead of winter.

You can book coronavirus vaccinations on the NHS website.

READ MORE: Concerns in Reading raised over Covid spread and lower vaccination rates

If you would like a flu vaccine, you can obtain one from an NHS pharmacy if you are eligible.

You would be eligible if you meet the age criteria above, have an underlying medical conditions you’re going through pregnancy, or if you’re a frontline adult social care worker who cannot get a vaccination from your employer.

Children under 18 can only get a flu jab at a GP surgery or their school.