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 âdelayâ phase of the governmentâs action plan to limit the spread of the virus.
Current UK Situation
- As of 9am on 26 April, 543,413 people have been tested, of whom 152,840 have tested positive. As of 5pm on 25 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 20,732 have died. Full details and latest numbers are available here.
- In Suffolk we have 896 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.
- Governmentâs daily press conference (26 April 2020) â transcript here
- Food availability now is back to normal levels and has been for several weeks. The food supply chain has also seen a significant reduction in staff absence over recent weeks. As staff who had been self-isolating through suspected coronavirus symptoms have returned to work.
- So far 500,000 food parcels have been delivered to the shielded group.
- There are encouraging signs of progress, but before we consider it safe to adjust any of the current social distancing measures, we must be satisfied that we have met the five tests set out last week by the First Secretary.
- 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
- Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers – Mobile testing units, operated by the Armed Forces, will travel around the UK to increase access to coronavirus testing.
- Clinical trial approved to help the NHS treat COVID-19 patients using plasma – A clinical trial has been given approval to determine if plasma donated by patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can help those battling the illness.
- Furloughed workers to receive full parental leave entitlement – Furloughed workers planning to take paid parental or adoption leave will be entitled to pay based on their usual earnings rather than a furloughed pay rate.
- UK leads way as nations endorse landmark pledge to make coronavirus vaccines and treatments available to all – Countries from around the world today joined the UK in pledging to give everyone equal access to new coronavirus vaccines and treatments around the world.
- Multi-million support for vulnerable children during COVID-19 – More than £12 million will be spent on 14 projects across the country to tackle the increased risk some children and young people are facing as they stay at home to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
- Vital routes for supplies and people kept open through coronavirus support package – government pledges support for freight services to protect flow of goods; light rail systems in Sheffield, Manchester, West Midlands, Nottingham and Tyne and Wear set to receive support; thousands of volunteers from transport sector are put on standby to support frontline services.
- Help us help you: NHS urges public to get care when they need it – The plea comes alongside new findings that four in ten people are too concerned about being a burden on the NHS to seek help from their GP. A new public information campaign â including digital adverts, posters and social media featuring NHS staff â will be rolled out this week. Over the coming weeks the NHS will take steps to encourage people to use other vital services â such as cancer screening and care, maternity appointments and mental health support.
- BBC: PM returns – Boris Johnson back at Downing Street to lead response
- BBC: Boris Johnson says this is moment of maximum risk as he urged people not to lose patience with the lockdown.
- BBC: NHS contact-tracing app is tested at RAF base – It works by using Bluetooth signals to log when smartphone owners are close to each other – so if someone develops Covid-19 symptoms, an alert can be sent to other users they may have infected.
Suffolk
Guidance for carers: The government have published guidance for care staff who are supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. For more information click here
GP Practices: The NHS have reminded people that GP practises across the country are still open and that you shouldnât be deterred from calling your practice if you feel unwell. Seeking medical help is one of the four reasons that people can safely leave home, in line with government guidance. For more information visit; www.england.nhs.uk/2020/04/help-us-help-you-nhs-urges-public-to-get-care-when-they-need-it/
Suffolk Mind Night Owl Service: This is a challenging time for everyone and lots of people will be seeking additional support for their mental health, Suffolk Mind can help. They call be called on 0300 111 6000 or you can sign up to their Suffolk Mind Night Owls service on their website. For more information visit; www.suffolkmind.org.uk/additional-help/helpful-support-telephone-and-online/
Victim support: Victim Support is launching a 24/7 online Live Chat service and is available to all victims of crime across England and Wales. The victim Supportâs online services will include Live Chat, a 24/7 online support service. The service is provided by people specially trained to help those affected by any crime and it makes no difference if the crime has been reported to the Police. For further detail about the service visit; https://www.nsvictimcare.org/24-7-live-chat-now-available-for-victims/#
A new app has launched this week to support breastfeeding mothers: The âBreastfeeding Suffolkâ app is built for mothers who are thinking about breastfeeding or have just given birth to their new-born baby. The app features helpful tools that allow mothers to read daily information cards related to their breastfeeding cycle, record child development milestones and track feed times.
The app also contains important contact details for local organisations and links to other helpful information such as children centres in their area through GPS, to ensure new mothers are up to date and informed throughout the full breastfeeding period. You can download the app by visiting https://breastfeedingsuffolk.co.uk/
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.
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Title |
Who For |
Comments |
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NEW |
Security of NHS and Public Health Services Digital Systems (Coronavirus) Directions 2020 |
National Health Service and/or public health body |
Statutory guidance on cyber security of network and information systems held by or on behalf of the NHS or a public health body during the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. This power will last until 31 December 2020. |
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NEW |
All staff involved in the COVID-19 response and the public |
National COVID-19 surveillance reports. The summary report contains findings from systems within community, primary, secondary and mortality surveillance. It also includes an international update. |
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UPDATED |
health and care systems and providers |
Added PDF version of the complete suite of guidance. Added clarification that chest compression is not an aerosol generating procedure to the PPE page. |
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UPDATED |
consumers |
Updated the guidance under the âTakeaway foodâ heading. |
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UPDATED |
schools, students and parents |
Guidance for vocational, technical and other qualifications updated to reflect consultation on grading arrangements for summer 2020. |
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UPDATED |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings |
staff, parents and carers, pupils and students. |
Updated ‘Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak’ to reflect changes in Early Years Statutory Framework. Added guidance on âUsing clusters and hubs to maintain educational provisionâ and âChanges to school admission appeals due to coronavirusâ. Updated information on furloughed apprentices, end-point assessment, functional skills apprentices and qualification certification. Added a link to the 16 to 19 free meals in further education guidance and information about Aldi joining the national voucher scheme Added guidance on managing school premises during the coronavirus outbreak. |
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UPDATED |
social care |
added COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults |
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UPDATED |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for local authorities |
local authorities |
Updated with clarification of whether grants are subject to tax. |
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1 |
General Public â this is the only site we should be promoting to the public for information |
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2 |
Main cover webpage for all government guidance for public & professionals alike |
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3 |
Main collection of guidance for anyone in any setting |
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4 |
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. |
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5 |
Everyone |
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6 |
Everyone |
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7 |
UK households |
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8 |
Mental health support and advice from: |
General public, staff and carers |
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9 |
Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: |
General public |
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10 |
children |
Aimed at children: Information correct as of 27 March 2020 |
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11 |
critical workers who are self-isolating |
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12 |
adult social care (includes peopleâs own homes, residential care homes and nursing homes, and other community setting) |
This document sets out the governmentâs plan for: |
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13 |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children’s social care services |
local authorities and their partners |
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14 |
bereaved families, friends or next of kin |
Local Resources:
Below are any local resources that would be relevant to Suffolk County Council and our partners.
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Title |
Who For |
Comments |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Everyone |
This page contains links to a wealth of resources and support for your health and wellbeing. |
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Everyone |
Suffolk County Council coronavirus (COVID-19) information, including health advice, service changes, business support and schools guidance. |
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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 â 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.
- The WHO Regional Office for the Americas urges countries to strengthen vaccination against seasonal influenza and measles to prevent respiratory illness and vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Countries must also continue to focus on other health emergencies and make progress against diseases such as malaria or poliomyelitis (polio).
- The WHO Regional Office for Europe has published key considerations for the gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions
Situation in Numbers WHO SitRep 97, 26 April (new since last 24hrs)
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Location |
Confirmed |
Deaths |
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Globally |
2 804 796 confirmed (84 900) |
193 710 deaths (6006) |
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European Region |
1 341 851 confirmed (27 185) |
122 218 deaths (2756) |
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Regions of the Americas |
1 094 846 confirmed (47 338) |
56 063 deaths (2960) |
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Eastern Mediterranean Region |
160 586 confirmed (5615) |
6887 deaths (137) |
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Western Pacific Region |
142 639 confirmed (1170) |
5943 deaths (37) |
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South-East Asia |
43 846 confirmed (2773) |
1747 deaths (89) |
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African Region |
20 316 confirmed (819) |
839 deaths (27) |