Suffolk County Council – Covid-19 briefing – 24th April 2020

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 on 23 April, 425,821 people have been tested, of whom 138,078 have tested positive. As of 5pm on 22 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 18,738 have died. Full details and latest numbers are available here.
  • In Suffolk we have 814 confirmed 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 (23 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
  • New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure – High street shops and other companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Councils given flexibility with free childcare funding – Councils can move free entitlements funding between settings in exceptional cases to meet demand during Coronavirus outbreak
  • Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms – All essential workers in England and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested.
  • Access to parks and public spaces, including burial grounds and cemeteries – Government urges local governments to continue allowing access to parks and public spaces and highlights updated guidance to make clear that burial grounds and cemeteries may remain open, and that grounds surrounding crematoria may also remain open, including gardens of remembrance.
  • Scottish Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – Sets out challenges Scotland faces and outlines the approach that will guide decisions about transitioning out of the current lockdown arrangements.
  • Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s guidance On ethical, professional decision making in the COVID-19 Pandemic aimed at pharmacists.
  • Centre for Economic Performance: When to release the lockdown – This report from the Centre of Economics Performance compares the economic benefits of releasing the lockdown with the social and psychological benefits using the number of wellbeing years approach (WELLBYs) similar to the Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) approach used in health care.

 

Suffolk

 

Let’s Get Cultural and Creative: Suffolk Libraries have launched a new online directory of arts and culture experiences, curated by Suffolk County Council and other partner organisations, which will allow access to these resources during the Uk lockdown. This includes content provided by Dance East, Suffolk Archives, Red Rose Chain, and many more. The Let’s Get Cultural and Creative web directory can be found here: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/letsgetcreative

 

Businesses Against Scams: Suffolk businesses are being encouraged to join Businesses Against Scams, an initiative from National Trading Standards, which supports businesses in avoiding COVID-19 related fraud and scams. As many businesses are adapting to working remotely, and away from their office locations, fraudsters are exploiting this transitional period to defraud businesses across the UK. More information available on Business Against Scams website: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/BAS

 

Suffolk Voluntary Sector COVID-19 Impact Survey: Community Action Suffolk have released the results of the Suffolk Voluntary Sector COVID-19 Impact Survey to allow Suffolk organisations in the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector to have information accessible to help make businesses decisions in a very challenging climate. The results are available here: www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk

 

Spiritual and Pastoral Support: The Church of England in Suffolk are offering NHS staff and key workers in the care sector, from all faiths and none, spiritual and pastoral support on their new helpline 01473563563. The phoneline is staffed 24 hours, seven days a week. More information can be found at: www.cofesuffolk.org/bishops/nhs-support

 

Construction of The Hold to resume: Work on The Hold, Suffolk’s new records and heritage centre, is set to resume after social distancing procedures were agreed with the contractors RG Carter. Initially due to finish at the beginning of May, progress has been hindered by delays caused by the coronavirus. Delivery of the project is expected in summer 2020, however, this is still subject to change in the current and uncertain environment.

 

Collaborative Communities Covid-19 Board Update: This infographic shows the work that has been done by the Collaborative Communities Covid-19 Board so far, which includes foodbanks, donations, the Home, But Not Alone phoneline, and emergency food parcels:

 

 

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

Support for the bereaved

bereaved families, friends or next of kin

Information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions.

NEW

[For those overseas] Wellbeing and mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

UK residents currently abroad

Advice about how to look after your wellbeing and mental health if you cannot return to the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UPDATED

What parents and carers need to know about schools and education during the coronavirus outbreak

parents and carers

Updated sections on closures, transport, vulnerable children, critical workers and resources. Removed information about Easter holidays.

UPDATED

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

Updated health professionals guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings – added clarifications of testing capacity and strategy.

For health professionals added ‘guidance for taking swab samples’.

UPDATED

Work out 80% of your employees’ wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

businesses who have furloughed staff due to coronavirus

How to claim’ section has been updated

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

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.

4

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

Everyone

 

5

Coronavirus: How to help safely

Everyone

 

6

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information leaflet

UK households

 

7

Mental health support and advice from:

General public, staff and carers

 

8

Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19:

General public

 

9

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

10

Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested

critical workers who are self-isolating

 

11

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

12

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

13

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 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 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.
  • The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) has launched a GOARN COVID-19 Knowledge hub. The hub is designed as a central repository of quality public health information, guidance, tools and webinars which can be accessed freely at any point.

 

Situation in Numbers WHO SitRep 94, 23 April (new since last 24hrs)

Location

Confirmed

Deaths

Globally

2 544 792 confirmed (73 657)

175 694 deaths (6689)

European Region

1 251 458 confirmed (31 972)

113 336 deaths (3384)

Regions of the Americas

957 402 confirmed (32 111)

47 812 deaths (3038)

Eastern Mediterranean Region

144 450 confirmed (5101)

6469 deaths (143)

Western Pacific Region

137 902 confirmed (1632)

5818 deaths (25)

South-East Asia

36 039 confirmed (2127)

1498 deaths (71)

African Region

16 829 confirmed (714)

748 deaths (28)