Cambridge is experiencing the fourth fastest rate of increase of Covid infections in any English city, official figures show.

The week until Wednesday (5th – 11th August) showed a 17% rise in cases on the previous week, with 523 people confirmed as having the virus and 62 people testing positive today. Addenbrooke’s Hospital recorded 30 patients admitted with the virus – five more than a fortnight ago.

No deaths have been recorded from the virus in the past fortnight.

The University’s own testing service recorded 13 cases in the week to 8th August, rising from 2 cases the previous week.

Vaccination uptake in Cambridge has been lower than the UK average, with 46.9% having received two doses of a vaccine. Nationally, the figure stands at 75.3%.

While the vaccination figure rises to 55.3% in neighbouring Peterborough, Cambridge remains the city with the fourth fastest increase in Covid cases in the country, whilst Peterborough is highest.

Young people seem to be leading the increase in Cambridge, with 1,009 cases per 100,000 recorded among 15-19-year-olds over the past week. Cambridge and neighbouring areas, including parts of East and South Cambridgeshire, have recorded an average rate of 400 cases per 100,000.

The University committed last week to resuming full in-person teaching in Michaelmas term but said it would “respond accordingly” to any changes in local or national guidance.

The areas of Cambridge with the highest rates of infection were Cherry Hinton and Romsey in the east of the town, which recorded average rates of 500 per 100,000. Trumpington and Central & West Cambridge recorded 110 cases in total – a rate of around 368 per 100,000.

It was announced today that 16- and 17-year-olds in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will be able to receive vaccines for Covid-19 without an appointment, according to new government policy.

Nationally, 29,612 people were recorded as having the virus today (11/08), down from 30,125 last week.