Covid-19 vaccinations due to start in Biggleswade on Monday

The programme is due to start at the Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade from Monday, January 18, while staff at Shefford Health Centre began offering appointments from December 15.

The NHS has stated that it will let residents know when it’s their turn to have the jab, and it is asking people not to contact them for an appointment before then.

Mayor of Biggleswade, Madeline Russell, said: “It’s great that we now have a vaccination centre opening in Biggleswade so that people don’t have to go to Stevenage and will hopefully be able to get their vaccinations sooner.

“I just hope that people won’t have to queue outside, as in other places. We want everyone to get protection.”

Shefford Town Mayor, Paul Mackin, said: “I think Shefford Health Centre was chosen because it’s very efficient, well organised, and serves a large community, such as Chicksands and Henlow, not just Shefford.

“My wife had her first innoculation on the first or second day that they were doing the vaccine. [On arrival] you are given a paper with all the details, you go into a room to have the shot, then you are taken to a waiting area – sat well sectioned off from everybody else – for 15 minutes.

“Then they come and tell you that you’re fine, and you’re off home. The medical centre is well organised and has got it really well sorted out.”

Mr Mackin’s said his wife is in the ‘80+ and vulnerable’ category, while he is in the ‘70+’ category and has now been invited to make an appointment. He would also like to reassure residents that the NHS sends lots of appointment reminders via text.

Mr Mackin added: “Thank you to the NHS and the emergency services. They are doing a wonderful job.”

The latest coronavirus statistics from the council show that Sandy was the ward with the most cases, not just in Chronicle country, but in all of Central Bedfordshire.

The figures, released on Thursday (January 14), cover data reported over the seven-day period up until January 10. While Sandy had 97 cases, the other wards in Chronicle country reported the following: Shefford 67; Biggleswade North 66; Arlesey 64, Stotfold and Langford 62, Biggleswade South 55, and Potton 30.

There were 1,489 new 
Covid-19 cases during the period, down 317 since the last analysis was released (on January 7).

The number of individuals tested was also lower at 6,608, that’s 786 fewer than last time.

However, the latest report also confirmed that the number of deaths registered involving Covid-19 had increased. From December 19–25, 17 people died, whereas from December 26 to January 1, 20 people died.

The CBC report stated: “The direction of travel for Covid-19 cases is pointing in the right direction with a slight decrease from the previous week.

“This is good news, but the number of Covid-19 cases is still very high and the pressures on the hospitals remains significant. We must continue with following the lockdown rules to protect the NHS and save lives. We must all stay at home and remember: Hands, Face and Space.”