Is there any point in looking at case numbers now

[CarlaH]

I sometimes look at the map that shows how many cases there are in the different counties.

Today I noticed that most of the map has turned blue rather than red which it was when I last looked a week or so ago.

All I keep hearing about are the number of people who have got covid. Some vaccinated some not.

All through i have made decisions about going out to shops and stuff by looking at how many cases there are here but now I think that so many people aren't testing because they don't want their holidays and other things cancelled so I can't rely on the figures.

Don't know how to make decisions about going out and about now. I guess it isn't going to get any easier is it?

I am in Scotland, there were around 21 thousand tests today which is similar to what it is most days...I don't know the usual numbers for England or Wales sorry but it doesn't seem like people have stopped testing to me.

Just because people are saying it on Mumsnet doesn't mean that it is actually happening.

I should say 21 thousand tests reported* today, obvs they were actually taken yesterday. Just before the pedants appear.

I think the most accurate indication of the levels of covid are in the sewage samples taken. I've not seen last weeks yet, but the week before was indicating much higher levels than testing suggested.
You can't get inaccurate results from sewage. So I'm guessing it's people infected not wanting to disrupt their lives and get tested for mild covid.

Many infected will be in their 20's possibly on short term or zero hour contracts with only government sickness benefit.

Thanks for kinder responses.

Interesting beautifullymad about the sewage data.

I am old and fat and keep hearing about people that have covid after vaccinations.

It's not as easy as it was to stay safe now with no need for others keep their distance or wear masks.

Oh well I will just have to stay in more than I did last year when cases here were low.

So I'm guessing it's people infected not wanting to disrupt their lives and get tested for mild covid.

And also LFTs were picking up a load of asymptomatic cases in schools, as people likely aren't doing as many numbers will fall.

I’m assuming it’s double OP and using that. I know we will never have a true daily case number but personally feel with so many not testing in schools as they are closed or because they don’t want to stay home and miss things that the case numbers aren’t correct and the Zoe figures are much higher.

Rather than cases, I think the risk is more about activity. So anything outside is much much safer. And anything really packed inside is always going to be more risky, so you need to mitigate as much as possible. There is a scale somewhere they publish for activities but I think it's US based. I know for example that where my OH works despite having quite a few people in for the whole period they've had no cases having been caught at work, so they are obviously a covid-safe workplace. Whereas some call centres have had loads of transmission. If having some source of information helps you I understand that

It's a bit out of date but this is the kind of thing I mean www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/coronavirus/everyday-activities-and-the-risk-from-coronavirus

[quote Leftbutcameback]It's a bit out of date but this is the kind of thing I mean www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/coronavirus/everyday-activities-and-the-risk-from-coronavirus[/quote]
Thank you.

I personally have never been bothered about catching it anyway and especially not post-second jab, but I absolutely agree that if you are worried or trying to avoid catching it the best thing to do is risk assess the activity rather than look at case numbers. The case numbers won’t really help in the sense that you only need one person to catch it from. If I was going out of my way to avoid Covid, I’d judge it mainly on proximity to other people and levels of ventilation.

@MiddleParking

I personally have never been bothered about catching it anyway and especially not post-second jab, but I absolutely agree that if you are worried or trying to avoid catching it the best thing to do is risk assess the activity rather than look at case numbers. The case numbers won’t really help in the sense that you only need one person to catch it from. If I was going out of my way to avoid Covid, I’d judge it mainly on proximity to other people and levels of ventilation.

Yes I agree but its more difficult now as people don't care about coming close and a lot aren't wearing masks.