Northamptonshire health chiefs answer YOUR Covid-19 questions

Northamptonshire's health chiefs answered questions put to them by the Chronicle & Echo's readers this week.

The Chron asked the public what they wanted to ask the county's leaders at a Covid-19 press conference yesterday (October 16).

And after a week that saw not only the first Covid related death at Northampton General Hospital for 73 days but also the introduction of the Government's new tiered restriction system, the conference's panel had this to say in response.

■ Question from reader Nick Fennell: "Why are we making the restrictions we are when the infection rate is still a very small percentage of Northamptonshire's population?"

Northamptonshire GP Dr Joanne Watt: "It's far to say we probably haven't detected all of the Covid that is out there. And I think it's about acting early, getting tested and limiting the spread.

"I think if we can adhere to the guidance we've been given we can get those levels to drop. But there is more out there, so it's important that we don't do things just because we can.

"Even one person being admitted to hospital, becoming unwell or ending up in intensive care is one person too many. That is somebody's life, that is somebody's family. These are our families and friends and our community.

"We really need to work to protect the people in our community. We can do this if we do it together. But even a small rate is too many. We need to look after each other and this is our opportunity to do that.

And the leader of Northampton Borough Council Jonathan Nunn said: "There may be a very small percentage of Northampton's population is infected but every single one of us is at risk."

■ Question from reader Claire: "Why is Northamptonshire in the lowest tier given the recent cases?"

Director of Public Health Northamptonshire Lucy Wightman said: "At the moment compared to other areas we may look better but it's still not good enough.

"There are no clear thresholds that have been outlined by the Government. But I think the reason we are in the lowest is one, if you compare our rates to other areas we are at the lower end of the spectrum. But being the best of a bad bunch is not good enough for me and it's not good enough for the local residents.

"This is about taking early action so we can not only maintain our position but even improve it.

"The second element is we are almost a victim of our own success here. We have demonstrated that working together we can turn trends around.

"We were in the position we were a few weeks ago when we were on the chief medical officer's watch list [because] when compared to other areas we were high.

"Our attack on that position, the increased number of tests, the adherence to isolation requirements and the reduction to household mixing got us to the good place that we were in a few weeks ago where we could come off that watchlist.

"We know we can do this, we know we've got influence over this locally, so let's utilize some of the actions we did previously.

■ Question from another reader: The first person to sadly die at NGH while testing positive for Covid-19 in 73 days happened this week, but more and more people have been testing positive during that time. Does this mean the virus is losing strength or we getting better at treating it?

Chief executive of NGH and KGH Simon Weldon said: "We have had deaths in both hospitals over the past week, and that's the first time that has happened in quite a while.

"Inevitably when community transmission increases, sooner or later that will pass into the hospitals and sooner of later that will results in people passing away.

"I want to say on behalf of the hospitals that every one of those deaths is an irredeemable tragedy for the family of the loved ones and the families involved.

"The virus is not getting weaker. It's still out there. And we are still waiting for the definitive treatments and a vaccine to really make the difference that we need. We have learned huge amounts about the virus and since the first wave we have got better at treating the illness. That does not mean it is not an incredibly serious issue for people. It does not mean it is not an incredibly serious disease of old age.

"We continue in Northamptonshire to be part of those research trials helping to look for that answer."

And Northamptonshire GP Dr Joanne Watt said: "I still don't think we have detected the full range of people in the community who are suffering from Covid-19.

"As a GP I have people who have a cough and they say things to me like 'but I'd know if it was Covid'. They wouldn't.

"It's really important if you think you have Covid that you must self-isolate.

"It's about protecting the people around you. If you have symptoms do not mix with anybody else. Do self-isolate immediately. You may not be vulnerable but the people around you are going to be extremely vulnerable and one of those people may become unwell enough to be admitted to hospital or even intensive care.

"It's really important to limit the spread, get yourself tested and adhere to the advice."