Current UK Risk Level: 3

On 19/06/2020 update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the UK alert level confirmed that the UK COVID-19 alert level has been lowered from risk level 4 to risk level 3. It does not mean that the pandemic is over.The virus is still in general circulation, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur.

 

Please note the Government’s messaging is ‘stay alert, control the virus, save lives’ (previously ‘stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’)

 

 

 

Current UK Situation

• As of 4:29pm on 23 June, 306,210 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, of those, 42,927 have died across all settings. You can view the latest UK dashboard and cases by local authority here. Confirmed cases* in Suffolk are broken down by Districts & Boroughs as follows:

 

Ipswich	351	255.2 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	625	251.8 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	183	178.5 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	154	168.5 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	235	131.4 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,548	204.1 per 100,000 resident

 *Please note numbers may go up or down as the reported data are continually checked and cleaned.

 

• The Governments most recent daily COVID-19 press briefing was given on June 23, by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance. Archive of press conference slides, datasets and transcripts available here.

• This was the last of the daily coronavirus updates and the Prime Minister announced that further meetings will be held as and when needed.
• The Prime Minister said that the five tests to assess the risk of coronavirus have been consistently met and announced a further easing of lockdown measures.
• From Saturday 4th July, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, leisure facilities and tourist attractions, outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres will be able to reopen – providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.
• Two households will be able to meet in any setting with social distancing and people can enjoy staycations in England.
• Where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’ along with mitigation.
• The government is continuing to work with “close proximity” businesses such as night clubs, soft play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas.
• The infection rate continues to fall, and the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control.

 

• Staying safe and social distancing up until July 4 and thereafter

• The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal and this guidance applies from 4 July only in England- until then, the existing restrictions will remain in place.
• Clinically vulnerable people can meet people outdoors and, from 4 July can meet indoors and should be especially careful and diligent about social distancing and hand hygiene. Advice to those shielding will be relaxed in two stages if the incidence rate in the community remains low. Further details can be found here.
• The government will continue to review the impact of the measures and keep the public informed. If needed, further restrictions will have to be implemented again.

• Working safely during COVID 19

o   The government has advised the opening of businesses with the exception of the organisations listed in this guidance on closing businesses and venues

o   People who can work from home should continue to do so and other workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open.

o   Workplaces should be set up to meet the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines before operating. At all times, workers should follow the guidance on self-isolation if they or anyone in their household (or support bubble), shows coronavirus symptoms.

• The visitor economy

This is for owners of businesses such as:

o   hotels and other guest accommodation

o   indoor and outdoor attractions.

o   business events and consumer shows: Business conferences, events, exhibitions and trade fairs are not currently allowed to take place in England.

o   Businesses have been asked to maintain records of the customers and visitors for up to 21 days to assist the NHS test and Trace if needed.

 

• Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services

• To keep customers safe these businesses have been asked to possibly further lower capacity, stagger entry times with other venues and arrange specific transport routes.

 

• Guidance for close contact services

• This guidance covers the risk assessment and the requirements for businesses involved in hairdressing, beauty and nail bars, makeup, tattoo and spray tanning studios, spas, sports and massage therapy, well-being and holistic locations, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers

 

·      £105 million to keep rough sleepers safe and off the streets during coronavirus pandemic

• Interim support for 15,000 vulnerable people to be accommodated during the pandemic is being planned
• Money to help rough sleepers secure their own tenancies as well as provide short-term housing while delivery of long-term homes continues at pace.

·       Meeting people from outside your household

• In England, households are allowed to meet in any outdoor space in a group of up to 6 people from different households
• Single adult households can continue to form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household
• From 4 July, you can also meet in a group of 2 households (including your support bubble), in any location- public or private, indoors or outdoors.
• It will be against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law.

· Extra support for new teachers amid surge in applications

• Up to 5000 new teachers are expected to receive a boost in their training and development since the COVID crisis.

 

BBC: Coronavirus: UK must prepare for second virus wave – health leaders : After the Prime Minister announced the easing of lockdown measures, in an open letter to the British Medical Journal, ministers were asked to review if UK was prepared for a second wave of coronavirus.

BBC: Coronavirus: Daily Downing Street press conference scrapped: Boris Johnson led the final regular briefing, flanked by chief advisers Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance. From now on televised briefings will be given on an “ad hoc” basis to “coincide with significant announcements,” Downing Street said. It comes as the PM announced an easing of the lockdown in England.

BBC Global Picture:

• Virus deaths in Latin America race past 100,000
• Top US health official Fauci warns of disturbing new surge of cases across states
• Asia’s biggest slum in Mumbai seems to have the coronavirus outbreak under control for now

 

 

Suffolk

 

Daily Mile Medals: During the Covid-19 crisis it has been widely recognised how people benefit from keeping active, both in terms of physical health and mental health. Many families have also realised the importance of keeping their children active, fit and happy. In partnership with The Daily Mile and Ipswich Twilight races, Keep Moving Suffolk is offering 300 children under the age of 12 the opportunity to receive a unique medal for completing their Daily Mile with family members on any day between the 29 June and the 5 July. For more information click here

 

Walking and Cycling: Due to Covid-19 there has been a large increase in people walking and cycling. Find out how we’re trying to turn that trend into a habit with our cycling and walking measures across the county, improving health, air quality and congestion. Click here

 

Test and Trace: SCC’s Director of Public Health, Stuart Keeble has talked about Test and Trace, how it works and what to do if you are contacted or develop symptoms. Click here to view the video

 

 

Useful Websites (any new guidance is in RED)

The existing guidance is being updated extremely regularly so please check any guidance relevant to your area to ensure that you are accessing the most up to date version. We are not including in this table all the published material but some of the key guidance that would be relevant to Suffolk County Council and our partners.

  

	Title	Who For	Comments
NEW	Staying alert and safe (social distancing)	Public	Households can meet in any setting after 4 July Staycations are permitted
NEW	Opening certain businesses	Businesses and self- employed people	List which businesses may and may not open
NEW	Guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic	Self-employed individuals	·       These guidelines are applicable to residents of England only
NEW	Work safely during coronavirus (close contact services)	Those who run hair salons, nail bars and other services that require close contact	·       These guidelines are applicable to residents of England only
NEW	Visitor Economy	Hotels, indoor and outdoor attraction and business events	·       These guidelines are applicable to residents of England only
NEW	Prisons	Family and friends of those in prison	·       Restrictions will remain in place
UPDATED	PPE portal: how to order emergency personal protective equipment	GP and healthcare workers	Healthcare providers can order additional personal protective equipment (PPE) through the portal to top up their existing supplies for COVID-19 in an emergency. GPs and small social care providers can now place orders multiple times per week instead of a singular order
UPDATED	Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak	Providers registered with Ofsted and registered childminders
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	General Public
2	GOV.UK – COVID-19 homepage	Main cover webpage for all government guidance for public & professionals alike
3	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance	Main collection of guidance for anyone in any setting	Guidance includes: – Guidance for the public (incl. social distancing and shielding) – Guidance for non-clinical settings (incl. cleaning, educational settings, employees, employers, businesses, residential care, supported living and home care) – Guidance for health professionals – Infection prevention and control (incl. PPE) – Sampling and diagnostics
4	Heatwave Plan for England	Professionals
5	Mental health support and advice from: WHO mentalhealth.org.uk Ipswich & East CCG Living Life To The Full NHS Practitioner Wellbeing Samaritans	General public, staff and carers
6	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
7	European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) COVID-19 homepage	Professionals
8	Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker	Professionals	The tracker compares worldwide government responses to the coronavirus rigorously and consistently. The Oxford team collects information on common policy responses, scores the stringency of such measures, and aggregates these into a Stringency Index.   As of 18 June, UK’s stringency level is 73.15 (many restrictions). For comparison, New Zealand’s stringency level is 19.44 (few restrictions) and Cuba’s is 100 (many restrictions, including total stay at home confinement and all but essential workplace closing).

 

 

 

Local Resources:

Below are any local resources that would be relevant to Suffolk County Council and our partners.  

 

	Title	Who For	Comments
	Support from the Suffolk Growth Programme Board (SGPB)	Everyone	SGPB is a partnership of all Suffolk local authorities, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, University of Suffolk and New Anglia LEP. In Suffolk our Economy & business recovery work for COVID-19 is being led by SGPB and the website includes links to funding / surveys / economic impact work. Please do pass this information on to your contacts.
	Suffolk Domestic Abuse 24/7 Helpline – Freephone 0800 977 5690	Everyone	The freephone number is live from 9am on Friday 22nd May 2020 for anyone with concerns including professionals who may be supporting clients as well as friends and family members who are concerned for loved ones.
	New Anglia: Employment Opportunities in Key Sectors in Norfolk and Suffolk	Individuals and Businesses wanting to know what employment opportunities are available in some of our key sectors	The New Anglia LEP – alongside other partners including local authorities – have pulled together lists and links to key employment roles needed now as part of the response to the current crisis.
	Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership	Everyone	The website aims to help everyone understand the signs of neglect or abuse and what to do if they are worried about a child or an adult.
	NEW ANGLIA GROWTH HUB	Businesses needing support ­	A one stop shop source of information for government support and guidance available to  businesses including 121 business advice sources of business grants and loans.
	Healthy Suffolk: COVID-19 Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Information Hub	Everyone	This page contains links to a wealth of resources and support for your health and wellbeing.
	Suffolk County Council: Coronavirus information	Everyone	Suffolk County Council coronavirus (COVID-19) information, including health advice, service changes, business support and schools guidance.
	Keep Moving Suffolk	Everyone	The website contains free resources, ideas, tips, useful links and positive stories to encourage people to stay active during these unprecedented times.  The website and our social channels will be constantly updated.

 

 

Global: WHO Situation Report – reports available here

• WHO Covid-19 Dashboard for professionals using near real time data.
• GOARN COVID-19 Knowledge hub – central repository of quality public health information, guidance, tools and webinars which can be accessed freely at any point.

 

Situation in Numbers WHO SitRep 155, 23 June

 

 

	Total (new cases in last 24 hours)	Total (new deaths in last 24 hours)
Globally	8 993 659 cases (133 326)	469 587 deaths (3 847)
Africa	232 215 cases (7 542)	5 117 deaths (121)
Americas	4 437 946 cases (67 425)	224 207 deaths (2 436)
Eastern Mediterranean	933 052 cases (18 534)	20 997 deaths (466)
Europe	2 562 642 cases (18 864)	193 794 deaths (428)
South-East Asia	620 115 cases (19 924)	18 119 deaths (385)
Western Pacific	206 948 cases (1 037)	7 340 deaths (11)