The reason for a sharp rise in recorded positive COVID tests explained

Last Tuesday data on the Public Health England website showed there had been 487 positive tests in the city.

The latest figures released yesterday show there have been 1,265.

However, Dr David Edwards, Health Protection Consultant of Public Health England, East of England said the rise in numbers was down to pillar 2 data being included for the first time. He said: “The East of England Coronavirus Response Centre has been providing data to Directors of Public Health on a daily basis, to keep them informed of any new cases in their locality, across testing from pillar 1 and pillar 2. This active surveillance helps us detect and manage any potential local clusters of cases, and take swift health protection action in collaboration with local partners to stop further spread.

“Daily pillar 2 data by local authority has been included on our data dashboard to provide more detail in addition to the weekly pillar 2 data already published. In June, pillar 2 accounts for around 81% of positive tests in Peterborough overall. Although the daily numbers now look higher, our analysis and response with local partners has not changed - the overall levels of coronavirus in Peterborough continue to decline.”

Coronavirus testing is split into pillar 1 and pillar 2 testing. Pillar 1 data confirms swab testing in Public Health England (PHE) labs and NHS hospitals for those with a clinical need, and health and care workers. Pillar 2 data includes swab testing by commercial providers.

In the past week one death connected to coronavirus has been recorded at Peterborough City Hospital.