Where are people catching it?

[ilkleymoorbartat]

Presumably people in Tier 4 are hardly using public transport, the buses in London are empty. Schools are off, pubs are closed. Everyone I know is obeying the rules, possibly going for outside walks with one other person. Where is this massive spread coming from?

The people we know who have tested positive in the last week almost certainly have cases originating from school (or via contact with a school child). For example, one of DS's friends tested on the 22nd (home test) but didn't get his (positive) result until yesterday. He's had had zero contact with anyone outside his family since school finished.

In established households. In support bubbles. In care homes. In clinics. In residential care (all sorts). Prisons, jobs that have accommodation provided, student houses & dormitories, people who work close together in poorly ventilated food processing plants.

Even school children spend 2/3 of their waking time with their families. That's long hours together.

Buses aren't empty around here. Every (socially-distanced) seat taken, hence some standing. Unless you go late at night.
And distancing in supermarkets seems to be forgotten.

Everyone I know who has got it recently works in a school or a hospital.

Everyone I know has caught it is in school as either a pupil or staff.

Schools.

non essential retail masquerading as 'essential'

My dad has just tested positive for covid and the only place he’s been since 12th December is the supermarket or to hospital appointments.

50% more infectious, so you would expect social distancing and mask wearing to be less effective, including in places like supermarkets.

We have had 12 positive cases from staff in our supermarket this week. The people who were working with them prior to their test results coming back are now isolating.

Of the people I know who had it recently, one was via school and then spread to family and the other caught it in hospital on a non covid ward.

Some from schools/workplaces, crowds when Xmas shopping, care homes, within families and support bubbles, hospitals/clinics when people have to attend, supermarkets. Could be a whole host of places.

Most people I know are following the rules, however, a significant proportion of people aren't. I was in a supermarket the other day and overheard several conversations about parties/get togethers/x, y and z coming on the 29th. All in a tier 3 area.

Took my DS on his scooter to the park just before Christmas -many big groups meeting together. Yes outside, but still big groups.

People ignoring the rules and mixing with others. I've known of several people diagnosed in the last week.

8 colleagues and countless students tested positive in the last month at my school.

An elderly acquaintance in SW London, in her 80s, must have caught it either on the bus or in a supermarket within a day or so either side of receiving the first vaccination. Unless it was actually in the queue to be inoculated, presumably less likely.

She doesn’t do online shopping and doesn’t drive, either. Now on oxygen in hospital.

Schools. Know lots of teachers and children who have had it. No one else.

If anyone vulnerable is still going out and about due to necessity, would recommend these for the month of Jan:

www.medisave.co.uk/ffp2-moulded-cup-face-mask.html

I gave blood recently and thought if I was going to catch it anywhere it would have been there. Everyone wearing masks, but a lot of people around. It was 4 weeks ago so I assume I was ok (or asymptomatic).

A relative of mine thinks she caught it in a hospital waiting room. People were asked to attend alone, but she says everyone but her was in a couple, and the room was packed. Again, everyone wearing masks, but it's not a cast iron protection. Fortunately she wasn't ill with it.

Seriously people need to learn to go to places and do things by themselves.

Looks like a good idea!

Poorly ventilated areas - even if every measure is being followed the air build up puts people at risk.

Poor mask management - touching it, not changing between uses, sticking it under your chin etc

People thinking masks stop you catching it so get too close (incorrect they stop you spreading it unless an ffp2 or ffp3 mask)

Supermarkets are a hot-spot due to the numbers
Christmas shopping with more people in proximity and again ventilation.

Schools to a certain extent (secondary tends to be worse than primaries it appears)

I noticed people keeping distance more carefully this week and wearing masks outdoors. Although there are a few more people about because of holidays and there being travel restrictions, I did wonder if it's fear of the new, easier to catch variant.

The roads round me are still extremely busy, so obviously people are out and about (though gods know why or where they're going)

Well when we last went for a walk to the local park I was shocked to see the children's play area absolutely rammed! Must have been over 50 kids in there, running around together, touching, touching the same equipment...

@PimlicoJo

People ignoring the rules and mixing with others. I've known of several people diagnosed in the last week.

This^^ I'm aware of people who should be isolating for contact with positive case but are still mixing and going to playgrounds. Not sure why government / councils haven't closed playgrounds. I'm currently staying in a two bed flat with my 3 children - and can't go to the local park to kick a ball or walk as don't want the tears from my youngest who is just 4 so clearly doesn't fully understand it when I say no to the playground but she sees others are allowed. That is def not essential and they need closing!

My daughters fil caught it whilst he was in hospital. He was in 3 weeks before he was ill with Covid so it definitely came from within the hospital.

I guess schools, hospitals, supermarkets, colleagues that have to work together such as firefighters.

My other daughter said the trams seem to have at least one adult without a mask every time she goes to work.