Current UK Risk Level : HIGH

The risk to the UK remains high (as of 13/03/2020).

As of week commencing 11/05/2020, we’re in Phase two (Smarter controls) of the Government’s recovery strategy. The country is also moving from Level 4 to Level 3 by the new COVID Alert System and taking the first step in relaxing lockdown measures.

 

Please note the Government’s messaging has changed from ‘stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’ to ‘stay alert, control the virus, save lives’

 

 

Current UK Situation

• As of 9am on 12 May, 1,460,517 people have been tested, of which 226,463 tested positive. As of 5pm on 11 May, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 32,692 have died. 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	314	228.3 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	507	204.2 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	132	144.4 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	189	105.7 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,295	170.7 per 100,000 resident

• Government’s Daily Press Conference: 12 May – transcript available here.
  • Reminder of the details of the next phase of our fight against coronavirus that we set out this week
  • Step 1 – from this week:
    • Those who cannot work from home should now speak to their employer about going back to work.
    • You can now spend time outdoors and exercise as often as you like.
    • You can meet one person outside of your household outside (outdoors), provided you stay 2 metres apart.
  • Step 2 – from June 1, at the earliest
    • Primary schools to reopen for some pupils, in smaller class sizes
    • Non-essential retail to start to reopen, when and where it is safe to do so
    • Cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors, without crowds
  • Step 3 – no earlier than July 4
    • More businesses and premises to open, including potentially those offering personal care such as leisure facilities, public places, and places of worship.
  • We’re asking people to stay alert by:
    • working from home if you can;
    • limiting contact with other people;
    • keeping distance if you go out – 2 metres apart where possible;
    • washing your hands regularly;
    • wearing a face covering when you are in enclosed spaces where it’s difficult to be socially distant – for example in some shops and on public transport;
    • and if you or anyone in your household has symptoms, you all need to self-isolate.
  • Highlighted the new ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidance on working safely, available to UK employers, across 8 work settings, which are allowed to be open and where their employees cannot work from home. The guidelines outline practical steps for employers to take, including carrying out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with employees or trades unions.
  • The government has made available up to an extra £14 million for the Health and Safety Executive, equivalent to an increase of 10% of their budget.
  • Chancellor has announced a four-month extension of the furlough scheme. From August to October the scheme will continue, for all sectors and regions of the UK, but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work.
  • 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
• Government to support businesses through Trade Credit Insurance guarantee – Businesses with supply chains which rely on Trade Credit Insurance and who are experiencing difficulties maintaining cover due to Coronavirus will get support from the government.
• New partnership to sequence human genomes in fight against coronavirus – Thousands of patients severely ill with coronavirus will have their genetic code studied to help scientists understand whether a person’s genetics may influence their susceptibility to the virus.
• Government expands expert team to rapidly roll out coronavirus test and trace programme – The programme is backed by increased testing capacity and a contact tracing app developed by NHSX, launched on the Isle of Wight earlier this month. It is heartening to see a local authority Chief Executive (Leeds City Council) has been appointed to lead this programme who will be able to take into account the local authority perspective.
• NHS England: More nurses should be coronavirus legacy – Nursing degree courses should be expanded to capitalise on the surge in interest in NHS careers prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said today.
• BBC: Global Picture
  • The global number of infections now stands at more than 4.2 million, with almost 300,000 deaths linked to Covid-19.
  • In the US, top health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci has warned against reopening too soon. Several US states already restarting their economies have infection rates that are rising, not falling, but President Trump is eager to get things going.
  • Brazil has seen its highest daily rise in virus deaths, with 881 new fatalities, but its president, Jair Bolsanaro, insists the economy must be allowed to keep going.
  • India, meanwhile, has announced a $266bn (£217bn) support package to help the country’s economy.
  • The Chinese city of Wuhan is drawing up plans to test its entire population.
  • In Europe, France has overtaken Spain when it comes to deaths – putting it behind only Italy, the UK and the US. Russia now has the second highest number of confirmed cases in the world, but its official death toll remains relatively low

 

 

Suffolk

 

Passenger transport services adapted during COVID-19 pandemic: Suffolk County Council is co-ordinating its passenger transport services to ensure crucial deliveries and services around the county can continue. As well as continuing to fund bus services on vital routes to provide travel for key workers and access to essential facilities for members of the public, Suffolk County Council is co-ordinating its passenger transport services to ensure crucial deliveries and services around the county can continue. The county council’s passenger transport team is working with its partners to reutilise its community  transport, taxis and subsidised minibus services, while its normal passenger transport service is not being used at full capacity. Click here for more information.

 

Covid-19 in care homes: Councillor Rebecca Hopfensperger, Cabinet member for Adult Care has addressed people’s concerns about how the how the Coronavirus pandemic is playing out in care homes and other residential care settings. To read the opinion piece click here

 

Schools update: Following on from the latest government announcement schools and early years settings across Suffolk remain open for vulnerable children and children of critical workers only. From Monday 1 June 2020 at the earliest schools and early years settings will also open to children in early years, nursery classes, reception, year 1 and year 6. If a child’s usual school or setting is not open or has been unable to make alternate arrangements for pupils, parents can call SCC’s helpline on 01473 263985 and we will help them find a school place. For parents needing an early years placement they can contact the Family Information Service on 0345 60 800 33.

 

Suffolk Highways repairs: Suffolk Highways has seized the opportunity to do more whilst roads are quieter, by increasing its number of repairs and road improvements since the Coronavirus lockdown began. 6,334 potholes and other highway faults were repaired in the county during March and April, compared with 5,345 in the same period last year, meaning a 18.5% increase in repairs. For more information click here

 

Free Business advice: If you feel your business has been affected by Coronavirus, whether you are experiencing supply chain issues, order or booking cancellations, a reduction in sales, or any other challenge, contact the Growth Hub to speak to one of the new Anglia LEP’s qualified business advisers. They offer free support and advice and can help you to access the support measures put in place by Government and the latest workplace guidance. Email growthhub@newanglia.co.uk or telephone 0300 333 6536.

 

Grants available through new LEP scheme: New Anglia LEP has launched a new Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the economic recovery. It will provide grants to support short-term business resilience projects and longer-term recovery and diversification projects. For more information or to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact the New Anglia Growth Hub on 0300 333 6536 or email growthhub@newanglia.co.uk

 

Guidance on spending time outdoors:  The government have published details on a range of outdoor activities which will be allowed in England from today subject to social distancing rules. To read the guidance click here

 

Guidance for the owners and operators of urban centres and green spaces: The government have published guidance to the owners and operators of public spaces with information and examples of measures that may be undertaken to adapt and manage public spaces in order to help social distancing. For more information click here

 

 

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	Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer public places – urban centres and green spaces	owners and operators of urban centres and green spaces	This guidance provides the owners and operators of public spaces with information and examples of measures that may be undertaken to adapt and manage public spaces in order to help social distancing. This guidance applies in England only and does not impose any legal obligations.
NEW	Claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme	self-employed	If you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) use this scheme if you’re eligible to claim the grant.
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Community Infrastructure Levy guidance	local authorities	In response to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), MHCLG has published guidance for local authorities on Community Infrastructure Levy matters.
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Planning update	local authorities	In response to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), MHCLG has published an update on planning matters, including temporary measures to make it easier to operate the planning system.
UPDATED	COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased	people required to manage bodies of deceased persons	Updated guidance on sharing information with others, residual risk of infection from the deceased and the use of body bags, and the use of PPE for those who are responsible for care of the deceased.
UPDATED	Guidance on access to green spaces	Everyone	Updated with the latest government guidance, including that you can now: – spend time outdoors more than once a day, including exercise, alone, with your household, or with one person who is not in your household as long as you stay two metres apart – take part in other outdoor sports and activities, including fishing – go swimming in either lakes or the sea as part of daily exercise provided that social distancing guidelines are observed – you cannot use public indoor and outdoor pools – all forms of water sports practiced on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft. There are no restrictions on how far you can travel to get to the countryside. However, you cannot visit and stay overnight at a holiday home or second home. You should travel in a private vehicle, alone or with members of your own household. Fines have been increased, and will now start at £100. This will double on each further repeat offence up to £3,200.
UPDATED	Closing certain businesses and venues	businesses	Guidance updated to reflect current regulations. Outdoor sports courts, including public and private outdoor enclosed areas such as tennis courts, golf courses, basketball courts, bowling greens and football pitches, can open. The government strongly advises that social distancing guidance is followed when using these facilities. Bars and clubhouses at outdoor sports facilities must remain closed other than for takeaway to be consumed off site.
UPDATED	Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020	educational and childcare settings	Added an initial planning framework for schools in England.
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	Main source for 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	Staying alert and safe (social distancing)	Everyone
5	Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do	Everyone
6	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
7	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
8	Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult social care guidance	social care
9	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children’s social care services	local authorities and their partners
10	European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) COVID-19 homepage	Professionals

 

 

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.
• 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 113, 12 May