The coronavirus cluster map in Cornwall for the dates September 29-October 5. (Image: UK Government/Public Health England/Arcgis)
Seven new areas have reported coronavirus clusters in today’s Government coronavirus cluster map.
The map, which reports areas where there are more than two infections in a particular area, reports new outbreaks in Truro West, Par, Hayle, Ponsanooth, Mabe Burnthouse and Constantine, Penzance North, St Just and Land's End as well as Crowan, Wendron and Stithians.
No areas were removed from today’s map, which covers the week of September 29 to October 5, with increases in the number of cases in the Lizard, Wadebridge, Probus and Roseland, Pool and Illogan Highway and Camborne South. Several areas reported no change, while there were a reduction of cases in Camborne East and Altarnun and Stoke Climsland.
While the overall numbers fell during the period covered by the map, it shows locations, giving a more precise picture of areas where they rose.
Three cases first reported yesterday for the Isles of Scilly still appear on the map, despite the Council of the Isles of Scilly releasing a statement expressing surprise at the news.
A spokesperson for the council wrote on Facebook: “Many of you will have noticed that the government website for monitoring cases of COVID-19 currently suggests that there has been an increase in cases on the Isles of Scilly. This is a surprise to us - we are not aware of any further cases on the islands at this time. Our Public Health team is investigating the issue and seeking clarification about the government data and we will update you as soon as we know more.”
There were 40 positive tests reported in Cornwall for today, October 9, and these cases will be added to the map on October 13.
The Government’s coronavirus cluster map splits the country into areas of roughly 7,500 people, based on the 2011 census, known as Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs).
The map highlights areas where three or more coronavirus cases have been reported for a week period, with the numbers coming off of the map a week after being confirmed positive. This means a case reported on September 28 would no longer display on today’s map, which is for September 29 to October 5.
Areas not highlighted do not necessarily have no coronavirus cases in them, as the map does not highlight or count areas with less than three cases - meaning that if an area has one or two cases, it will display as 0 to 2 cases.
Some areas appear larger on the map than others due to the methodology used. An area where 7,500 people are split across a large, rural area of villages will appear larger on a map than a town or city centre- for example, the area for the town of Wadebridge would appear smaller than Probus and Roseland, which is mostly rural.
The Isles of Scilly, which has reported its first coronavirus cluster of three cases is one MSOA area, meaning that included in the one cluster are the islands of St Mary's, St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco and St Martin's. It doesn't differentiate between the areas meaning the cases may be on one island as opposed to all.
New and Existing Clusters
The Lizard - 9 cases (+2 cases)
Probus and Roseland - 7 cases (+1 case)
Camborne South - 7 cases (+1 case)
Pool and Illogan Highway - 6 cases (+1 case)
Wadebridge - 5 cases (+2 cases)
Shortlanesend, Chacewater and Carnon Downs - 5 cases (no change)
Saltash Town and Pillmere - 5 cases (no change)
Camborne East - 5 cases (-1 case)
Launceston - 4 cases (no change)
Truro West - 4 cases (New Cluster)
Redruth North - 4 cases (no change)
Penryn - 4 cases (no change)
Altarnun and Stoke Climsland - 3 cases (no change)
St Germans and St Mellion - 3 cases (-2 cases)
Lostwithiel and Penwithick - 3 cases (no change)
Par - 3 cases (New Cluster)
Perranporth and Goonhavern - 3 cases (no change)
St Day and Lanner - 3 cases (no change)
Hayle - 3 cases (New Cluster)
Ponsanooth, Mabe Burnthouse and Constantine - 3 cases (New Cluster)
Crowan, Wendron and Stithians - 3 cases (New Cluster)
Penzance North - 3 cases (New Cluster)
St Just and Lands End - 3 cases (New Cluster)
Isles of Scilly - 3 cases (no change)