Covid in Bristol: Are we in a better or worse situation than last Christmas?

The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across the UK and the Prime Minister is said to be considering introducing tough new restrictions on socialising - a situation reminiscent of last Christmas.

However, the country is in a very different position than it was last December.

The vaccine rollout has had a huge impact on the number of deaths and hospitalisations, although cases are surging across the country, including in Bristol.

Based on analysis of UK Government data we reveal how the pandemic has changed in Bristol over the last year.

The analysis covers the time period 13 December 2020 to 13 December 2021.

How many positive cases are there in Bristol?

Case rates are dramatically higher in Bristol than they were last December.

This year (on 13 December) Bristol recorded 583 cases, 570% more than on the same day last year when 87 new cases were reported.

Case numbers are based on the number of new cases by specimen date.

How many more deaths have there been in Bristol?

The vaccine rollout has seen deaths plummet in the last year but thousands of deaths have still been recorded across the UK, including many in Bristol.

Last year Bristol recorded a total of 242 deaths since the start of the pandemic, however, this year the number of total deaths has risen to 591- 349 more people have died over that time period.

This is a 144% rise in the total number of coronavirus deaths in Bristol.

The analysis is based on the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test by date of death.

The death rate per 100,000 people has dropped though.

Last year 1.9 deaths were recorded per 100,000 people in Bristol, while in 2021 the death rate is 0.4.

Death rates are based on a seven day rolling average.

How many people are in hospital in Bristol?

Hospital cases have also changed across [local authority] in the past year.

Last year on 14 December at North Bristol NHS Trust there were 77 people in hospital and eight people on mechanical ventilation beds, while this year there are 48 hospital cases and 10 people on mechanical ventilation beds.

This represents a 37.7% drop in hospital cases and a 25% increase in MV beds.

Last year on 14 December at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust there were people 118 people in hospital and nine people on mechanical ventilation beds, while this year there are 47 hospital cases and four people on mechanical ventilation beds.

This represents a -51.7% drop in hospital cases and a-56% decrease in MV beds.