A topic I try avoid in the monthly message is Covid. However I think this month we have reached a turning point. The Covid case rate was at its highest in the city and county on January 4, according to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Resilience Forum on January 24th. Nottingham peaked at 1,770 per 100,000 on January 4. Cases in Gedling reached 2,250 on the same day and 2,228 across Ashfield. Figures have significantly dropped across the county since, with 873 cases being recorded per 100,000 in the seven days leading up to January 18. But health officials have still urged for caution.
This data indicates that the infection rate for Covid is now on the decline and for most people the risk to health after infection by the Omicron variant appears substantially lower than the risk from Delta. This is most likely due to a combination of immunity from prior vaccination and immunity from natural infection. However its increased transmissibility means more people can get it but less likely to get seriously ill. As the infection rate was rising through December and into early January it was wise of Interest Groups who meet indoors, where the transmission risk is higher, to postpone or Zoom their usual meetings. Masks and distancing were added to the monthly meeting to help minimise risk.
Hopefully we can now look forward to most group meetings resuming again. However at this stage it remains at the discretion of the group leader and group members. The risk outdoors or in large well aired spaces is much reduced and the cycling group have taken advantage of that.
You can read on this website about their inaugural crossing of the Bennerley Viaduct which has been restored and opened to walkers and cyclists.
At the December meeting the History Group welcomed a presentation from ‘Friends of Bennerley’ who were instrumental in saving this iconic structure for all to enjoy. It is worth a visit and a walk or cycle across if you can manage it.
David Rose Chairman