PEOPLE in Wokingham are being told that taking vitamin D supplements won’t protect them from Covid-19.

This week, councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth asked Wokingham Borough Council whether it will “publicise the importance of vitamin D” as a deficiency may “affect your ability to fight the infection”.

“Many medical professionals are concerned there may be rates between vitamin D deficiency and higher rates of Covid mortality,” she told a meeting of the council’s Wellbeing Board on October 8.

But councillor Charles Margetts, executive member for health, pointed out that The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has found there is no link.

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A study published in June states: “There is no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to specifically prevent or treat Covid-19.”

Cllr Margetts said: “Since there is no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplementation to prevent Covid, there are no plans to promote the importance of vitamin D with regard to Covid.

“However, we will fully keep this under review and keep our eye out for any new evidence.”

He added: “The UK government advises that everyone should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during autumn and winter months.

“They also advise that people whose skin has little to no exposure to sunlight and ethnic minority groups with dark skin – from African, Afro Carribean and South Asian backgrounds – should consider taking a vitamin D supplement all year round.”

At the meeting, Ingrid Slade, head of public health in Wokingham, said there is “a rising number of cases” in Wokingham due to “an increase in community transmissions”.

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In Wokingham, 834 people have tested positive for Covid-19 during the pandemic and 152 have died after contracting the virus.

According to the latest figures, 77 of those deaths were recorded in care homes.

Wokingham has an overall infection rate of 487.4 cases per 100,000 people, which is well below the average for the South East (530) and the national average (853.9).

The council says the “the majority of cases” in Wokingham have been reported in five wards – Winnersh, Hawkedon, Evendons, Wescott and Emmbrook.