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 9 June, 289,140 people have tested positive. As of 5pm on 8 June, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, across all settings, 40,883 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	351	255.2 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	623	251.0 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	182	177.6 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	152	166.3 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	234	130.8 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,542	203.3 per 100,000 resident

 

• Business Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 9 June 2020 – transcript here
  • The R-rate continues to stay below 1
  • From Mon 15 June, retail outlets which have been required to be closed, will be able to open their doors again so long as they comply with the COVID-secure guidelines we published on 25 May. In the new normal, we have all got used to shopping with social distancing.
  • There are businesses which still remain closed. As soon as we can, we will publish further safer working guidance for restaurants, pubs and bars, as well as hairdressers, barbers, nail bars and related services.

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

• Parents returning to work after extended leave eligible for furlough – People on paternity and maternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the government’s furlough scheme, HM Treasury announced on 9 June.
• Study launched to monitor prevalence of COVID-19 in schools – The new voluntary coronavirus (COVID-19) study will assess and monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 among pre-school, primary and secondary school pupils and teachers. Teachers and pupils to be voluntarily swab tested, and up to 100 schools tested across England by end of summer term.
• COVID-19 Rapid Summary: Modelling the Pandemic – The House of Lords select committee on science and technology has published short summaries of their meetings which are a record of evidence heard from scientists with internationally recognised expertise about what is known and unknown about the developing science.
• BBC: NHS waiting lists in England could more than double to 10 million people by the end of the year – Warns the NHS Confederation (which represents hospitals and ambulance trusts). In a bleak report, it says staff will struggle to cope with coronavirus while resuming treatments for the likes of cancer and heart disease. The Department of Health insists it will continue to provide the resources the NHS needs.
• BBC: Eyesight of thousands at risk due to missed care – The UK Ophthalmology Alliance and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists have calculated that at least 10,000 people have missed out on care essential to maintaining their sight in England, Wales and Scotland.
• BBC: All primary pupils no longer going back to school – Plans for all England’s primary children to return for a month before the summer break have been dropped by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. Confirming the move, he told MPs he wanted all children back to school in September and that “exams will take place next year”.
• BAME women and Covid-19 (Research evidence) – The Fawcett Society (UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights) has published research evidence on BAME women, including on poverty and debt, work and employment, domestic and care work, access to support, and health and wellbeing.
• BBC: Global Picture
  • Brazil now has more daily deaths than any other nation.
  • Authorities in Delhi have warned that cases in the Indian capital could reach half a million. If that happens, 80,000 hospital beds will be needed – a  huge leap from the current capacity of nearly 9,000.
  • There have been more than 7m infections globally, with 3.37m recoveries and more than 411,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University

Suffolk

 

Diabetes support: New online support is now available for children and adults living with diabetes this includes a range of apps, videos and training to help them manage their condition during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here for more information.

 

Guidance for businesses who are reopening: Prior to reopening businesses should ensure the safety of the workplace by carrying out a risk assessment in line with the HSE guidance. For more information click here

 

Job Vacancies: Farms and food production businesses are looking for staff as they continue to operate during the pandemic. Check the new Anglia LEP website for all the latest jobs in the region https://newanglia.co.uk/employment-opportunities/

 

 

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	Informing DfE of the death of a carer or colleague across children’s services	children’s social care workers, foster carers, education staff	How employers and providers can tell the Department for Education (DfE) about the death of a carer or colleague across children’s services.
NEW	Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund	adult social care	Sets out the infection control measures that the infection control fund will support, including information on the distribution of funds and reporting requirements.
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	Heatwave Plan for England	Professionals	The Heatwave Plan for England remains unchanged for summer 2020. Additional actions may be needed due to COVID-19 and specific resources are available below.
5	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
6	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
7	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 141, 9 June