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 moving into Phase two (Smarter controls) of the Government’s recovery strategy. As per PM’s 11 May message, the country is in the process of moving from Level 4 to Level 3 by the new COVID Alert System and taking the first step in relaxing lockdown measures – According to the PM’s statement “Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of the British people in this lockdown, we have helped to bring the R level down and we are now in a position to begin moving to Level 3, in steps”.

 

Please note the Government’s messaging is now  â€˜stay alert, control the virus, save lives’ (previously ‘stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’)

 

 

Current UK Situation

• As of 9am on 3 June, 279,856 people have tested positive. As of 5pm on 2 June, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, across all settings, 39,728 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	349	253.8 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	617	248.5 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	177	172.7 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	150	164.1 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	227	126.9 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,520	200.4 per 100,000 resident

• PM statement at the coronavirus press conference: 3 June 2020 – transcript here
  • NHS Test and Trace relies on everyone playing their part. There is plenty of capacity and everyone with symptoms is eligible, so please:
    • order a test from nhs.uk/coronavirus  as soon as you develop symptoms.
    • isolate yourself if a contact tracer tells you that you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
  • Public health measures at the border (isolation upon arrival to the UK). When community transmission was widespread within the UK, cases from abroad made up a tiny proportion of the total. Now that we’re getting the virus under control in the UK, there’s a risk cases from abroad begin once again to make up a greater proportion of overall cases. We will review how the policy is working after three week and explore the possibility of international travel corridors with countries that have low rates of infection. Further details in Home Secretary’s speech here.
  • International action – to ensure that the world’s poorest countries have the support they need to slow the spread of the virus, on 4 June I will open the Global Vaccine Summit. Hosted by the UK, and will bring together more than 50 countries and leading figures like Bill Gates to raise at least $7.4 billion for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
  • Reminder that gatherings inside other people’s homes are still prohibited. Breaking these rules now could undermine and reverse all the progress that we’ve made together.

o   Archive of slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences available here.

• BBC: Stalled vaccine programmes ‘putting children’s lives at risk’ – WHO is one of several groups expressing concern about  the long-term impact of stalled vaccination programmes. “Measles is on the rise… diphtheria, cholera,” United Nations Children’s Fund executive director Henrietta Fore says.
• BBC: Thousands of homeless could be ‘back on streets by July’ – The National Homeless Charity Crisis UK has warned contracts between local councils and hotels are due to end as government funding runs out.
• BBC: Asymptomatic care workers may unknowingly spread coronavirus – Staff could have been unknowingly spreading coronavirus through care homes, according to the UK’s largest charitable care home provider. A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We’ve set out a comprehensive support package for residents and staff, including a £600m infection control fund, testing regardless of whether you have symptoms, and a named clinical lead to support every care home.”

Suffolk

 

Suffolk Says Thanks: A new, colourful way for people across Suffolk to show their appreciation for others, is underway in Suffolk. Suffolk Says Thanks recognises the small acts of kindness taking place across the county in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is being launched by the Suffolk Resilience Forum, which contains a specific group tasked with looking at emotional wellbeing in the community as a result of the pandemic. Visit www.suffolksaysthanks.com For more information.

 

Information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses: The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses has been updated with information on farm visits and inspections starting week commencing 1 June. Click here for more information.

 

Government support finder: Financial support is still available for businesses during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. To find out what support you may be eligible for, please use the Governments free business support finder tool.

 

 

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): travellers exempt from English border rules	International Travellers	This guidance explains who will be exempt from new English border rules introduced due to coronavirus. The rules will apply to travellers to the UK from 8 June 2020.
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK	International Travellers	Sets out how to self-isolate if you arrive in the UK on or after 8 June 2020. You will not be allowed to leave the place you’re staying for the first 14 days you’re in the UK.
NEW	Coming to the UK for seasonal agricultural work on English farms	Seasonal agricultural workers and their employers	Advice for seasonal agricultural workers coming to England to work on farms and their employers. The rules on self-isolation for seasonal workers are different from those for other international travellers to the UK because of the importance of the work for food supply.
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency accommodation survey data: May 2020	rough sleepers management information	New management information about the support for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping during the COVID-19 pandemic. This data provides the latest snapshot for May 2020. Local breakdown not available (only figures for London and Rest of England).
NEW	Higher education: reopening buildings and campuses	higher education sector	Guidance for higher education providers in England on when and how to reopen their campuses and buildings.
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	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	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
5	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
6	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
	Support from the Suffolk Growth Programme Board (SGPB)	Everyone	SGPB is a partnership of all Suffolk local authorities, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, University of Suffolk and New Anglia LEP. In Suffolk our Economy & business recovery work for COVID- 19 is being led by SGPB and the website includes links to funding / surveys / economic impact work. Please do pass this information on to your contacts.
	Suffolk Domestic Abuse 24/7 Helpline – Freephone 0800 977 5690	Everyone	The freephone number is live from 9am on Friday 22nd May 2020 for anyone with concerns including professionals who may be supporting clients as well as friends and family members who are concerned for loved ones.
	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 135, 3 June