Current UK Risk Level: HIGH

The risk to the UK has been raised to high (as of 13/03/2020).

As of 13 Mar, UK is in the ‘delay’ phase of the government’s action plan to limit the spread of the virus.

 

Current UK Situation

• As of 9am 21 April, 397,670 people have been tested, of whom 129,044 have tested positive. As of 5pm on 20 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 17,337 have died. Full details and latest numbers are available here.

• In Suffolk we have 701confirmed cases. However, with routine community testing discontinued, these figures will not describe the full extent of cases locally. You can view the latest UK dashboard of cases by local authority here.
• Government’s daily press conference (21 April 2020) – as of 9AM, transcript not available
  • Press conference slides with the latest data from COBR coronavirus fact file (transport use, new cases, hospital admissions, deaths) and datasets available here.
  • View past press conferences on YouTube
• Chancellor expands loan scheme for large businesses – Rishi Sunak unveils the final details of Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
• BBC: the first UK human trials for a Coronavirus vaccine, developed by Oxford University, will begin this week.
• BBC: Tiny fraction of ‘at risk’ children attending schools – Term resumed this week, but worrying figures show only a tiny fraction of vulnerable children in England are taking up the emergency school places kept open for them.
• BBC: Which regions have been worst hit? – the BBC has analysed the latest figures to show which parts of the country have been worst hit by the disease.
• BBC: Are the five tests being met? – it is clear we are not in a position to ease the lockdown. The biggest hurdles seem to be the two issues the government is receiving most criticism for – testing and PPE.
• NHS England death figures: deaths in hospital appear to be showing a downward trend which is encouraging and we could cautiously call this as signs of “green shoots”.

 

 

Suffolk

 

Healthwatch survey: Healthwatch Suffolk is working with statutory partners, local groups, networks and VCSE organisations to run a general survey about the impact of coronavirus in Suffolk. With so many changes happening across services, Healthwatch are asking for feedback to understand more about how the changes are impacting on people’s care. This is all about supporting health and social care services and informing the response to COVID-19 in Suffolk. Full details about this short survey are available here: https://healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/news/covidsurvey/

 

New Anglia Growth Hub: Advisers from the New Anglia Growth Hub are offering free advice and guidance to Norfolk and Suffolk businesses.  Businesses can speak to an adviser on 0300 333 6536 or email growthhub@newanglia.co.uk. For more information visit www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk/covid-19-business-toolkit/

 

Tackling the disadvantage gap – advice: The Children’s Commissioner has published a new briefing today on tackling the disadvantage gap during the covid-19 crisis with the vast majority of pupils not attending school. To read the advice visit; www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/tackling-the-disadvantage-gap-during-the-covid-19-crisis/

 

Mental Health Service for NHS staff: A new mental health service has been launched, offering telephone support to all NHS and care staff in Suffolk and North East Essex during the Coronavirus outbreak. Suffolk and North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups together with independent mental health charities Suffolk Mind and Mid and North East Essex Mind, have come together to open this dedicated telephone support service. For more information visit: www.suffolkmind.org.uk/news/new-service-offers-nhs-staff-mental-health-support-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

Mental Health resources for children: Suffolk Mind have published helpful resources to support the mental health of young people across the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff in the EARLY (Emotional Awareness and Resilience Learnt Young) Minds team have created videos, blogs and activities to help children to stay well by meeting their emotional needs whilst at home. To find out more visit www.suffolkmind.org.uk/additional-help/resources-for-children/

 

GCSEs, AS and A level awarding: The government have published information for schools, students and parents on how qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2020. Read here

 

Suffolk Community Foundation – Covid-19 Fund: The Suffolk Coronavirus Community Fund has now raised over £1million! Suffolk Community Foundation has sent their thanks to everyone who is helping to respond to the coronavirus emergency and rebuild local lives. If anyone would like to donate they are asked to visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/suffolkcoronavirusfund

 

 

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	Guidance for those involved in managing COVID-19 deaths	employers and workers handling loss of life  (including general public, local authorities, coroners, funeral services)	All the guidance currently available to support you and your workers, ensure individuals are well protected when handling an increased number of deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic and to make sure that any tragic loss of life is handled with the utmost respect and care. The list includes official HMG guidance and advice from relevant authorities.
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for people receiving direct payments	people who buy care and support through a direct payment, local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and those who provide care and support
UPDATED	GCSEs, AS and A level awarding: summer 2020	schools, students and parents	Information for schools, students and parents on how qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2020.
UPDATED	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings	staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.	Updated guidance on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	General Public – this is the only site we should be promoting to the public for information
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 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	Full guidance on staying at home and away from others	Everyone	The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.
5	Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do	Everyone
6	Coronavirus: How to help safely	Everyone
7	Coronavirus (COVID-19) information leaflet	UK households
8	COVID-19 essential travel guidance	Public
9	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
10	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
11	Children’s Commissioner: Children’s guide to coronavirus	children	Aimed at children: – Answer your questions about coronavirus – Tell you how to stay safe and protect other people – Help you make the best of your time at home Information correct as of 27 March 2020
12	Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested	critical workers who are self-isolating
13	Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult social care action plan	adult social care (includes people’s own homes, residential care homes and nursing homes, and other community setting)	This document sets out the government’s plan for: 1. controlling the spread of infection in care settings 2. supporting the workforce 3. supporting independence, supporting people at the end of their lives, and responding to individual needs 4. supporting local authorities and the providers of care
14	Coronavirus (COVID-19): social care guidance	social care	Homepage for all the main guidance for social care, including: – Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes – COVID-19: guidance for supported living and home care – COVID-19: ethical framework for adult social care – Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014 – Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements – Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care
15	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children’s social care services	local authorities and their partners

 

 

Local Resources:

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

 

	Title	Who For	Comments
NEW	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 RISK ASSESSMENT (Global Level) – Very High
• WHO Covid-19 Dashboard for professionals using near real time data.
• The number of confirmed cases reported by countries reflects national laboratory testing capacity and strategy, thus the interpretation of the number of cases reported should take this into account.

 

Situation in Numbers WHO SitRep 92, 21 April (new since last 24hrs)

Location	Confirmed	Deaths
Globally	2 397 216 confirmed (83006)	162 956 deaths (5109)
European Region	1 187 184 confirmed (38143)	106 342 deaths (2756)
Regions of the Americas	893 119 confirmed (34869)	42 686 deaths (2071)
Western Pacific Region	134 506 confirmed (2068)	5685 deaths (37)
Eastern Mediterranean Region	134 470 confirmed (5037)	6185 deaths (137)
South-East Asia	31 670 confirmed (2094)	1341 deaths (66)
African Region	15 555 confirmed (795)	704 deaths (42)