Indian Covid not having 'high impact' in Hartlepool and wider Tees Valley area

Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) heard how Covid-19 infection rates across the area have been falling in recent weeks and are as low as eight cases per 100,000 in Hartlepool.

In a report ahead of the latest CCG governing body meeting, chair Dr Boleslaw Posmyk said there had been no cases of the Covid Indian variant in the Tees Valley CCG area.

Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday, Dr Posmyk, a GP in Darlington and Hartlepool, said updates will be provided if the situation changes but that to date the region has not seen a “high impact” from the variant.

He said: “There’s been the recent appearance of the Covid Indian variant around the country, which has been causing some concern.

“Fortunately in our CCG area it is not having particularly as high impact as it sadly is in some other areas of the country.

"But obviously it will be constantly, carefully monitored and updates will be provided if the situation changes.”

Dr Posmyk also praised the “highly admirable and very significant” work of staff across different health organisations and the CCG to maintain day to day services as much as possible while also tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Craig Blair, the CCG’s director of commissioning, strategy and delivery, confirmed positive news in regards to Covid-19 infection rates declining in the region in recent weeks.

He said the highest case rate is in Middlesbrough, with 32 cases per 100,000 people, with Hartlepool having the fewest with just eight, according to latest figures.