It was in March 2020 when the first ever Covid lockdown began in the UK. People were forced to quarantine to help stop the spread of the virus.
Since then, Covid measures have lifted and the majority of people in the the country have received their Covid jab - including at least one booster. Following the vaccination roll-out, shops and other services have completely reopened.
As we approach Winter, a new wave of Covid has hit the country and large parts of Berkshire have documented an increase in its number of Covid cases. An expert from the University of East Anglia called Paul Hunter says that this isn't to do with a new variant, but something else.
READ MORE: Covid rates in Berkshire towns two-and-a-half years on from first coronavirus lockdown
He says that the biggest factor is waiving immunity. "We know that for most highly transmissible endemic infections the incidence of infection is largely driven by the rate at which immunity is lost in the population", he said.
Mr Hunter went on: "We also know that protection against infection or reinfection following COVID vaccination or indeed an infection may not last long. Fortunately, protection against severe disease is more durable. Hopefully the fourth dose will provide somewhat longer-lasting protection against infection, but it’s too early to know for sure."
This Winter will see the Covid virus and flu freely circulate - without the mandate of any precautionary measures. The flu did not seem to circulate as much as was expected last year, probably due to the use of face masks and hand sanitiser.
Now that there are no measures in place, Dr Amir Khan warns of what experts have coined a 'twindemic'. Eligible people in the UK are being actively encouraged to go out and get both their flu jab and a booster Covid vaccine.
Latest coronavirus infection rates for each Berkshire Local Authority:
Reading saw 118 new confirmed cases of the virus in the seven days up to October 1, 2022. This gave the area as a whole an infection rate of 73.6 per 100,000 people.
Bracknell saw 105 new confirmed cases of the virus in the seven days up to October 1, 2022. This gave the area as a whole an infection rate of 84.6 per 100,000 people.
Wokingham saw 150 new confirmed cases of the virus in the seven days up to October 1, 2022. This gave the area as a whole an infection rate of 86.2 per 100,000 people.
Windsor and Maidenhead saw 90 new confirmed cases of the virus in the seven days up to October 1, 2022. This gave the area as a whole an infection rate of 59.5 per 100,000 people.
Slough saw 71 new confirmed cases of the virus in the seven days up to October 1, 2022. This gave the area as a whole an infection rate of 47.5 per 100,000 people.
West Berkshire saw 174 new confirmed cases of the virus in the seven days up to October 1, 2022. This gave the area as a whole an infection rate of 109.8 per 100,000 people.
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