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 12^th July: 289,603 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, 44,819 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. 
• Compared to the previous briefing (13 July 2020) 4 cases have been added: 2 in East Suffolk, 1 in West Suffolk and 1 in Mid Suffolk.  All of these were cases added in the last two weeks, rather than historical confirmed cases.

Area	Cumulative cases	Rate per 100,000 residents
Ipswich	696	506.1 per 100,000 residents
East Suffolk	869	350.1 per 100,000 residents
Mid Suffolk	325	317.1 per 100,000 residents
Babergh	259	283.4 per 100,000 residents
West Suffolk	477	266.7 per 100,000 residents
Suffolk	2,626	346.2 per 100,000 residents
East of England	23,750	383.0 per 100,000 residents
England	249,510	445.7 per 100,000 residents

 

 

COVID-19 related news from GOV.UK

• HMRC invites hospitality industry to register for Eat Out to Help Out – Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now (from 13 July) sign up to a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining out. Those who use the scheme will offer a 50% reduction, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to all diners who eat and/or drink-in throughout August. Promotional materials for establishments taking part are available here.
• New planning rules to protect our cultural heritage – Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced on 12 July 2020 that with the changes taking effect next week, cultural institutions across England will be saved from being redeveloped or demolished.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines: letter to the European Commission – Letter from Sir Tim Barrow, UK Ambassador to EU, to the European Commission confirming that “The UK Government has decided on this occasion not to join this internal EU initiative, but given our shared interest in ensuring that vaccines are available to all, we are committed to strengthening our collaboration with the EU outside the framework.”
• Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 10 July 2020 – Main points include:
  • More than half of adults (52%) who have left their home have worn a face covering to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) – an increase from last week (43%).
  • Over 2 in 10 adults (21%) said they would be comfortable or very comfortable to eat indoors at a restaurant compared with 6 in 10 (60%) who said they would be uncomfortable or very uncomfortable.
  • A quarter of adults (25%) said they were likely or very likely to go on holiday in the UK this summer, however, just under 1 in 10 adults (9%) said they were likely or very likely to go on holiday abroad this summer.
  • Although average anxiety levels during the coronavirus pandemic have been on a downward trend, this week has seen the largest week-on-week increase to a score of 4.0 from 3.6 last week (anxiety is measured on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 is “not at all anxious” and 10 is “completely anxious”.
• The R number and growth rate in the UK – As of Fri 10 July, the latest R number range for the UK is 0.7-0.9 and the greatest growth rate range for the UK is -5% to -2% per day. Breakdown by NHS England regions:

 

 

 

Other COVID-19 related news

• WHO: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions – updated guidance from WHO including Q&A, which stresses that it is important to stay at least 1 metre away from others, clean hands frequently, and cover the mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when sneezing or coughing. When physical distancing (standing one metre or more away) is not possible, wearing a fabric mask is an important measure to protect others. Cleaning hands frequently is also critical.
• Johns Hopkins: Enhancing Public Trust and Health with COVID-19 Vaccination – Highlights the importance of building trust and understanding to address concerns about the vaccine itself—especially one produced on an accelerated timeline. Includes recommendations for a people-centric approach to improve the planning and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program.
• Johns Hopkins: Dr. Laura Murray, Clinical Psychologist, Returns for More COVID-19 Mental Health Questions (podcast) – What are the mental health challenges for people living in areas where cases are spiking? How can parents help younger children who are missing school and camps or college-aged children who aren’t sure when they can return to campus life? How can people deal with work-from-home stress while feeling grateful about having a job?  
• Vox: I’m an epidemiologist and a dad. Here’s why I think schools should reopen – Six questions about the safety of kids, teachers, and families, answered.
• The New York Times: Like ‘a Bus Accident a Day’: Hospitals Strain Under New Flood of Covid-19 Patients – I.C.U. units are reaching capacity. Nurses are falling sick, contributing to shortages. The new coronavirus spikes are challenging hospitals across the United States.

 

BBC Health:

• Mathon farm workers isolating after 73 cases – Up to 200 workers have been told to self-isolate on the farm in Herefordshire where they pick crops after 73 of them tested positive for Covid-19.
• More than 100 outbreaks tackled a week, says Matt Hancock – Mr Hancock said increased testing meant officials could now be “targeted” in their response. It is now also two weeks since Mr Hancock announced Leicester would be the first city in the UK to be put under a local lockdown. Restrictions are expected to be reviewed this week.
• Calls for government to clarify face coverings in England – It is understood the UK government is looking at whether to make face coverings compulsory in shops in England.

 

BBC Global:

• Sunday saw a record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, with more than 230,000 new infections. Most were in the Americas, with Mexico now fourth in the list of countries with the most deaths, surpassing Italy.
• In the US, Florida set a state record for cases on Sunday, with 15,299 new infections registered. Florida has proved vulnerable due to tourism and an elderly population, but has continued to press ahead with lockdown easing – reopening Walt Disney World, for example – despite warnings from medical experts.
• South Africa is taking action against its rising infection rate, including another ban on alcohol sales to take pressure off the healthcare system.
• Hong Kong is to suspend all schools amid a spike in locally-transmitted cases of Covid-19.

 

Suffolk

 

Summer in a box: Suffolk County Council has secured approx. £963,000 of funding from the Department of Education (DFE) to deliver a summer holiday activity and food programme for children in Suffolk. The programme is aimed at Suffolk’s most disadvantaged families, children in care and young carers. The summer can often be a challenging time for families as they try to keep children occupied, happy and healthy, this will be especially true this year due to the covid-19 pandemic. Many children have missed out on time in school and have been impacted by lockdown so it is important that they have access to stimulating activities for them over the summer holidays. The Covid-19 pandemic has however meant we have had to adapt and modify the programme to ensure we are in line with government guidance. For more information click here

Job Vacancies: Care homes, hospitals and other health and social care organisations, pivotal to the Covid-19 response have a range of roles on offer, and you can find these and other job vacancies in Norfolk and Suffolk here

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	COVID-19: Guidance for managing beaches, the countryside and coastal areas	owners and operators of beach, countryside and coastal destinations	This guidance is of a general nature and should be treated as a guide. In the event of any conflict between any applicable legislation (including health and safety legislation) and this guidance, the applicable legislation shall prevail.
UPDATED	Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme	Food establishments	You can now register your business for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
UPDATED	COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities	Community facilities	Section 3c revised to reflect availability of the Performing Arts guidance.
UPDATED	Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)	Workplaces	Shops and branches – Updated to include guidance on mass gatherings in the workplace (section 1.1).
UPDATED	Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak	providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings	Updated content on considering group sizes. Added information on the opening of indoor sports facilities, and when providers will be able to use these venues. We also made clear that providers should only be operating in premises legally able to open. Added links to further relevant guidance providers may need to have regard to.

 

 

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: 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.

 

 

Local Resources:

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

 

	Title	Who For	Comments
	Public Health Suffolk’s 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.
	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.
	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 174, 12 July