This week we are finally starting to turn a corner in beating this latest Covid-19 wave. Cases are still high but coming down nationally and across Hampshire, and hospitalisations are just starting to decrease. Tragically, deaths are still very high but this should soon follow cases in falling.
Meanwhile, the vaccine roll-out has continued to grow, with over 5 million doses now received. Yesterday alone, over 360,000 people received a jab – the highest daily figure yet.
These numbers might seem abstract, but they are having a very real impact. My team and I again called all Meon Valley care homes this week to check on their progress. I am delighted to announce that all residents who wanted the vaccine and are not currently suffering from Covid have received a jab.
Care home staff have also all received it except for a dozen in one home who will get their injections soon. This is a really positive development that will relieve the burden on care home staff, who have been brilliant this year, and give residents the chance to get out and see friends and family in the near future.
The good news does not stop at care homes. Latest figures from the NHS released yesterday show that in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 166,417 people have been vaccinated and this is one of the best performing parts of England.
To break this down, 74,107 over 80s and 72,178 under 80s have received their first dose. In addition, 17,162 over 80s and 2,970 under 80s have received a second dose.
We still need to be careful and follow the rules. Cases remain high and younger people are still at risk from this virus – over half of those in hospital are under 70. But this does at least mean that an end is in sight and coming closer.
On Friday I had an online meeting about regenerating the centre of Waterlooville, which I have spoken about in Parliament again recently. I brought together the Waterlooville Councillors, Havant Borough Council, and representatives from Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and Hampshire County Council to discuss how we can draw up a plan and involve the public in shaping the future of the town centre. The Government is making funding available for projects like this through the Levelling Up Fund, and I expect to hear more about the application process for grants from it in the near future.
I have also been working with constituents and Openreach to secure better internet access. 99% of constituents already have decent access, so I am focussed on improving the situation for the remaining 1%. I will soon be meeting Openreach again to discuss how we can make this happen.
It is going to be a chilly weekend, maybe with some snow and hopefully some sunny weather on Saturday, so I hope you are able to get out for a walk. Keep safe.
