Suffolk County Council – Daily Covid-19 bulletin – 10th July

Help us call time on Coronavirus this weekend - Keep social distancing. Stick with it Suffolk.

Current UK Alert 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 5pm on 9th July: 287,621 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK (pillar 1 and pillar 2 testing). Of those who tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK, 44,602 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 – please note that these case numbers and the rates per 100,000 population  cannot  be compared with the case numbers and rates given in previous bulletins. From 2 July, the number of lab-confirmed positive cases now includes those identified by testing in all settings (pillars 1 and 2). Pillar 2 refers to tests in commercial labs working in partnership with the NHS. Previously, only Pillar 1 confirmed cases were included (tests completed in NHS labs). Due to this change many cases previously not attributed to any area are now included in area totals. This is not a recent surge in cases – the cases now being reported occurred from April onwards. As this quality of this data continues to improve, these numbers may continue to fluctuate over time, but overall, case numbers and case rates in Suffolk remain low compared to the East of England and England as a whole. 3 cases have been added compared to the previous briefing (3 in East Suffolk).

 

Ipswich

696

506.1 per 100,000 residents

East Suffolk

867

349.2 per 100,000 residents

Mid Suffolk

324

316.1 per 100,000 residents

Babergh

259

283.4 per 100,000 residents

West Suffolk

476

266.1 per 100,000 residents

Suffolk

East of England

England

2,622

23,563

247,609

345.7   per 100,000 residents

380.0   per 100,000 residents

442.3   per 100,000 residents

 

COVID-19 related news from GOV.UK

 

Other COVID-19 related news

  • Suffolk County Council’s Public Health team have launched an online ‘Coronawatch’ dashboard to gather all publicly available data on COVID-19 in Suffolk in one place.

You will be able to access national and local data including confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), Deaths from coronavirus, Care home outbreaks and Google social mobility data from the dashboard along with a series of briefings which have been produced on related topics, all from publicly available sources.

Visit the Coronawatch Dashboard: www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/jsna/coronawatch

 

BBC Health:

 

BBC Global:

  • Hong Kong is to suspend all schools amid a spike in locally-transmitted cases of Covid-19, officials confirm
  • The US posted another record rise in cases of more than 65,000 in 24 hours – according to Johns Hopkins University
  • Singapore is holding a national election with strict safety measures in place
  • New Zealand’s ex-PM Helen Clark, appointed to a WHO panel, says the global response has been “flat-footed”
  • A second South American leader, this time in Bolivia, has tested positive for the virus, following Brazil’s Bolsonaro
  • Globally there are now 12.2 million cases and more than 550,000 deaths

 

Suffolk

 

Covid-19 Response: Read the speech to a meeting of Suffolk County Council from Cllr. Matthew Hicks, Leader of the Council, on the role the council has played during the COVID19 pandemic. Click here

 

Worry about returning to work: Suffolk Mind’s Head of Mental Health Education, Ezra Hewing issues some advice to help those of you feeling anxious about returning to work. Click here to read

 

Dealing with worry during coronavirus: Suffolk Wellbeing are running an online course called ‘Coping with Worry during Coronavirus Times’. This live webinar is for everyone who is experiencing worry during these Coronavirus times. Although it is normal to worry during times of uncertainty, it can also start to affect our emotional health and general wellbeing. The webinar will explore themes such as understanding worry, what maintains worry and offers tips on how we can cope with worry in a more helpful way. Click here for more information.

 

 

Key National Guidance updates

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

VAT on admission charges to attractions

Professionals

Check which attractions are eligible for the temporary reduced rate of VAT from 15 July 2020.

NEW

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Local authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies

Professionals

The Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies is for local authorities in England to use to support people who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to COVID-19.

UPDATED

Reopening High Streets Safely Fund guidance

Local authorities and partners

FAQ for the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund has been updated to reflect latest positions and developments.

UPDATED

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Employers

Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities guide added.

Performing arts guide added.

All close contact businesses can open from 13 July with some restrictions.

UPDATED

Coronavirus (COVID-19): countries and territories exempt from advice against ‘all but essential’ international travel

Everyone

Serbia was removed from the exemptions list based on the latest assessment of risks there. The FCO advises against non-essential travel to Serbia

UPDATED

Meeting people from outside your household

Everyone

Updated guidance for team sport

 

UPDATED

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do

Everyone

Guidance updated in line with new advice on 9 July 2020.

 

UPDATED

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation

Public, providers of outdoor sport facilities, elite athletes, personal trainers and coaches

Added the Return to recreational team sport framework and added a link to guidance for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities.

UPDATED

Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care

Education, childcare and children’s social care organisations

Updated overview and the early years, supply teachers in state-funded schools, independent schools, further education and apprenticeships and higher education sections.

UPDATED

Staying alert and safe (social distancing)

Everyone

Updated to reflect changes to guidance.

 

UPDATED

Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for care homes

Professionals

Updated the attachment ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): care home support package’. This now includes a link to a list of local authorities that have published information online on how they’ve spent funding for adult social care during the pandemic.

UPDATED

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government

Professionals

Added links to: Collection: A Plan for Jobs; Guidance: What educational and childcare settings need to do if there is a local lockdown; Announcement: Majority of children no longer need to shield; Announcement: £1.57 billion investment to protect cultural arts and heritage institutions; Guidance: Local Lockdown social distancing; Speech: Prime Minister’s statement on coronavirus 3 July 2020; Collection: Draft planning guidance to support the Business and Planning Bill; Guidance: Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace; Announcement: Regular retesting rolled out for care home staff and residents; Announcement: funding package for councils to help address coronavirus pressures and cover lost income during the pandemic

UPDATED

NHS test and trace statistics (England): methodology

Professionals

The methodology document has been updated to reflect the changes in the methodology for calculating the time taken to receive a COVID-19 test result from time of test for home testing kits. More details about pillar 1 test turnaround times and the reasoning behind the percentage of people testing positive being removed from the publication has also been added.

 

 

Useful Websites

 

 

Title

Who For

Comments

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:

General public, staff and carers

 

6

Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19:

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.

 

 

Local Resources:

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

 

 

Title

Who For

Comments

 

Mobile Testing Units in Suffolk

Everyone

It is important that anyone with coronavirus symptoms gets tested. Mobile testing units are mobilised by the Ministry of Defence and regularly appear across Suffolk. Please share details of the testing sites with your local community – see under Where can I get tested in Suffolk?

 

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.

 

Coronawatch Dashboard

Everyone

Access to national and local data including confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), deaths from coronavirus, Care home outbreaks and Google social mobility data from the dashboard along with a series of briefings which have been produced on related topics, all from publicly available sources.

 

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

 

Situation in Numbers WHO SitRep 171, 9 July