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 1 April 2020, 152,979 people have been tested, of which 29,474 were confirmed positive. As of 5pm on 31 March 2020, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 2,352 have died (this only includes deaths in hospital). The figures for test results and for deaths are compiled from different sources, which is why the figures for deaths are reported from an earlier point in time than the figures for test results. Latest numbers can be viewed here.
• In Suffolk we have 125 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: 1 April 2020
  • From today businesses will start benefiting from £22 billion in the form of business rates relief. And grants of up to £25,000 which are being paid into the bank accounts of the smallest high street firms.
  • As of today, these local authorities have received more than £12 billion for grants to small businesses.
  • Loans for businesses are also being issued through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme since it came into operation last week.
  • 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.
• BBC: Coronavirus: Testing will ‘unlock puzzle’, PM says – it was revealed only 2,000 out of some half a million frontline NHS workers in England had been tested. The prime minister’s official spokesman said the government was working with NHS England, Public Health England and other organisations to boost test capacity with an additional network of labs and testing sites. Meanwhile, Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge has become the first in the UK to use a new, much quicker Covid-19 test for staff and patients.

 

Suffolk

 

• PPE: An appeal has been launched by SCC for businesses in the county to donate any unused Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure our critical front-line staff working in care homes, children’s homes can continue to give care and support to Suffolk’s most vulnerable people. We need; fluid repellent face masks, nitrile non powdered disposable gloves, disposable aprons, disposable eye protection/splash goggles and sanitiser gel. If businesses think they could help we ask that they contact PPE@suffolk.gov.uk with; their current PPE stock information (type and quantity), where they are located in Suffolk and a contact number so we can get in touch.

 

• Free School Meals: We are receiving a very high volume of applications and emails regarding free school meals and we are processing these as quickly as possible. Information on free school meals has been updated on the SCC website http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/schools-guidance/free-school-meals-coronavirus

 

• Domestic Violence 24 Hour Helpline: For some, having to isolate at home as a family will be a truly frightening experience. Domestic Abuse support services are still available to support them. The number of domestic abuse incidents will rise during the coronavirus outbreak. Being asked to stay at home, uncertainty over jobs and money may lead to increased stress within households. COVID-19 is not an excuse for abuse. National Domestic Violence 24 hour helpline – 0808 200 0247/Respect Phoneline ‘Are you hurting the one you love? Choose to stop.’ – 0808 802 4040

 

• Early years childcare: If parents are a key worker or have a child that is classed as vulnerable and their usual early year’s childcare setting is not available, they can contact the Family Information Service for help to find alternate provision. They can be contacted on 0345 60 800 33 or for more information go to; https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/childcare-information-and-support-for-parents-and-providers/guidance-for-parents-and-carers/suffolk-family-information-service/

 

• Five Ways to Wellbeing: For advice on what we can do every day to make ourselves feel good while at home please visit; https://www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/projects/5-ways-to-wellbeing/advice-for-staying-well-at-home  

 

• Rural businesses and landowners guidance: Further information has been published for farmers, landowners, and rural businesses including additional information on how the Rural Payments Agency will be working. Further information can be found here

 

• BT skills for tomorrow: BT have moved all of their support online and created a series of webinars to help small business owners and their employees on a wide range of topics including digital marketing, using collaboration tools and how to get a business online. These have been developed by BT, their colleagues and their trusted partners including Small Business Britain and Google Digital Garage. View the full list of webinars

 

• Clap for Carers: Once again we would like to encourage everyone to join in with the 8pm #ClapForOurCarers to praise the NHS this evening. It is absolutely right that we show them our support and appreciation for all their tireless work. It might also be worth remembering our other unsung heroes during this show of appreciation. Our care workers who are visiting people in their homes to provide them with essential care, those working in our care and nursing homes who are supporting their residents through these worrying times. Our social workers who are continuing to support those people and families who need them now more than ever and our wonderful family carers, who continue to put the needs of their loved ones above their own needs. These incredible people are showing great strength and dedication to others and are often doing this quietly in the background, just getting on and doing what needs to be done. Each and every one of them deserves to feel the support of the rest of the nation, so please try to think of them while we applaud our brilliant NHS this evening.

 

 

Useful Websites (any new guidance is in RED)

The existing guidance is being updated extremely regularly (and in some cases daily) so please check any guidance relevant to your area to ensure that you are accessing the most up to date version. I will only be able to highlight new published and some other key published guidance in this bulletin.

#	Title	Who For	Comments
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification of data controllers to share information	data controllers in healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies	Notification of data controllers in healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies that they should share information to support efforts against coronavirus (COVID-19). For patients, this means that their data may be shared with organisations involved in the response to coronavirus (COVID-19), for example, enabling notification to members of the public most at risk and advising them to self-isolate.
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for businesses	businesses	Guidance for businesses setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF).
UPDATED	Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for local authorities	local authorities	Updated information on state aid, monitoring and reporting requirements, post payment checks, eligibility of charities.
UPDATED	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings	staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.	Added ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): induction for newly qualified teachers’. Updated ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people’ guidance on educational provision over the Easter holidays. Updated ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures’ to clarify the income support available and the requirements for providing safe, quality care for vulnerable and critical workers’ children.
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 – for non-clinical settings – for health professionals
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	COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection	households with possible infection
6	Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do	Everyone
7	Coronavirus: How to help safely	Everyone
8	COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people	Everyone
9	COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable	All adults and children who should be shielded and their family, friends, and carers
10	PHE Health Matters	Post on General FAQs that include a section to submit questions at the bottom of the page.
11	PHE Campaign Resource Centre	Range of comms resources that can be used
12	COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing	Everyone
13	COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing	parents and carers on looking after children or young people
14	Mental health support and advice from: WHO mentalhealth.org.uk Ipswich & East CCG Living Life To The Full NHS Practitioner Wellbeing	General public, staff and carers
15	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
16	COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings	non-healthcare settings
17	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government	Local councils
18	COVID-19 essential travel guidance	Public
19	COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased	people required to manage bodies of deceased persons
20	Further businesses and premises to close	businesses
21	COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses	employees, employers and businesses
22	Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014	local authorities	The guidance sets out how local authorities can use the new Care Act provisions, created under the Coronavirus Act 2020, to prioritise care and support for those who need it most. The provisions are temporary and should only be used when it is not possible for local authorities to comply with their duties under the Care Act 2014. This guidance must be read alongside the ethical framework for adult social care.

 

 

Global – WHO Situation Report

• WHO RISK ASSESSMENT (Global Level) – Very High
• WHO Corvid-19 Dashboard for professionals using near real time data.

 

Situation in Numbers WHO SitRep 72, 1 April (new since last 24hrs)

Location	Confirmed	Deaths
Globally	823 626 confirmed (72 736)	40 598 deaths (4193)
Western Pacific Region	106 422 confirmed (1554)	3701 deaths (30)
European Region	464 212 confirmed (40 266)	30 089 deaths (3395)
South-East Asia	5175 confirmed (960)	195 deaths (29)
Eastern Mediterranean Region	54 281 confirmed (3932)	3115 deaths (161)
Regions of the Americas	188 751 confirmed (25 737)	3400 deaths (564)
African Region	4073 confirmed (287)	91 deaths (14)