We are nearing the conclusion of the lockdown measures imposed a month ago, in hopes of curbing the exponential spread of the virus and reducing the strain on the NHS. Different tiers were introduced for different regions; Sutton was in tier 2, which included restrictions on mass gatherings among other things.
Nationwide, new Covid infections fell by 30% over the November lockdown period. Although cases per 100,000 people in Sutton peaked on November 15th at 175, these newly identified cases can be attributed to infections prior to the lockdown (due to the 10-14-day delay in symptoms appearing). A gradual decline in infections can be observed after this, as there have been less new infections after November 3rd (when the lockdown was introduced). Today, the number in Sutton stood at 116 cases per 100,000 (the national average is 960).
In addition to this, cases nationwide have been decreasing, from 1320 infections per 100,000 people to 960 infections per 100,000 people. The lockdown in England has achieved its main goal of curbing infections, although regional differences persist (especially in the Midlands). The total number of cases in the UK stands at 1.63 million, and 58,000 people have lost their lives, but the recovery rate is now 0.88 (anything below 1 indicates a shrinking pandemic). There are now more people recovering than being infected.
The rate of infection relative to the rate of recovery has been lessening in England over the past month due to an effective response and testing programme, and a vaccine by US pharmaceutical company Moderna was found to have 94% efficacy in phase III trials. We're not out of the woods yet, but we're getting there.
