New data released by Public Health England shows the true number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Richmond is more than a quarter higher than previously thought.

The new data includes 'Pillar 2' tests, which are carried out in the community, such as those posted to people's houses or carried out at drive-through centres and mobile testing units.

Previously only 'Pillar 1' tests carried out by the NHS or in care settings were being published publicly at local authority level.

This is because at the beginning of the pandemic, when community testing was not widely available, 'Pillar 1' was the main source of data.

However, in recent weeks in some areas - most notably Leicester - 'Pillar 2' tests have begun to outnumber 'Pillar 1', revealing that the number of people with coronavirus in a given area may be much higher than previously realised.

'True' total number of cases in Richmond

In Richmond, the addition of 'Pillar 2' tests increased the borough's total by 113, bringing the true number of cases to 531. This is a rise of 27%.

It is understood that Directors of Public Health have had access to general 'Pillar 2' figures since June 11, and access to postcode information on a dashboard since June 24.

Data protection issues meant that initially the Pillar 2 figures could not be made public.

Weekly new cases of virus

The latest update on the weekly new case rates of coronavirus for each local authority, covering both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 data, was also released for the period June 22-28.

The infection rate in Richmond is now 3.1 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people, up from 1 per 100,000 the week before.

Weekly case rates are one of the best indicators of the spread of the virus.

Leicester's figure is around 141 per 100,000 - much higher than any other authority - and led to the city being the first in the UK to enter a local lockdown.

Richmond Council this week rubbished claims in the Daily Express and other titles that the borough was one of 36 in the UK at risk of needing to lock down.

It reiterated this statement today (Friday, July 3), saying "the council wants to remind residents, that despite national reports, the number of confirmed cases currently in the borough remains low".

'Far from the end of this crisis'

Cllr Piers Allen is the chair of the both Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board and the Adult Social Care and Housing Committee on Richmond Council.

He said: "Although nationally the number of Covid-19 cases is falling and our local numbers remain low, we are acutely aware that we are far from the end of this crisis and there is potential for further spikes in the disease. We have already seen this in Leicester.

"We therefore have to do everything we can to ensure that here in Richmond we put a lid on any new, future, outbreaks as soon as they occur.

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"We are fortunate to have the regional coronavirus testing centre (Twickenham Stadium) located in the borough and that will allow us to very quickly establish if we have any new outbreaks and to then carry out a rapid track and test process.

"It is important to note that we all have our part to play in combatting this virus.

"Everyone has to keep following the government advice, keeping their distance and washing their hands, whilst we continue to keep the cases at a low level."

Department of Health and Social Care

A spokesperson for the DHSC said: "All councils in England now have the ability to access testing data, right down to an individual and postcode level.

"PHE has already been providing this data to directors of public health in the event of an outbreak so that they can take all necessary action to curb the spread."

London's regional director for PHE, Professor Kevin Fenton, added that 'Pillar 2' data accounts for around 20 per cent of positive tests in London overall.

He said: "Although the daily numbers now look higher, our analysis and response with local partners has not changed – the overall levels of coronavirus in London remain low and steady."

Outbreak management plans

Local councils also published their local outbreak management plans this week.

Both Richmond and Wandsworth councils have been given £858,000 each by the government to tailor their plans.

These include how to deal with outbreaks in care homes and schools, ensuring there is a local testing capacity, and supporting vulnerable local people to get help and self-isolate.

The seven key themes in Richmond's plan were announced today.

Reassurance for Richmond residents

Richmond's director of public health Shannon Katiyo will lead the response.

She said: "I want to reassure local residents that we are working hard to help prevent and control outbreaks of Covid-19 here in Richmond-upon-Thames.

"Protecting the health of the public is one of our key priorities and this new local outbreak management plan is the next phase of controlling the spread of coronavirus and encouraging people to get tested and cooperate with NHS Test and Trace.

"The plan allows us to act fast as we receive local information and to manage and prevent the spread of outbreaks as lockdown measures are relaxed."

Richmond will use national test and trace services, and its drive-through testing centre at Twickenham Stadium, as well as regular mobile testing units.

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