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 26 May, 265,227 people have tested positive. As of 5pm on 25 May, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 37,048 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	346	251.6 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	589	237.3 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	168	163.9 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	146	159.7 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	218	121.9 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,467	193.4 per 100,000 resident

• Health and Social Care Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 26 May 2020 – transcript here

o   For the first time since 18 March, I am very encouraged to confirm that yesterday there were no deaths from coronavirus recorded in Northern Ireland. Today’s figures from the ONS show across the UK as a whole, the lowest number of deaths from coronavirus for six weeks. We are past the peak. We’re flattening the curve.

o   PPE – We have now signed contracts to manufacture 2 billion items of PPE here in the UK. Around the world, we have signed deals with over 100 new suppliers, including agreeing contracts for a further 3.7 billion gloves. These new supplies mean we are not simply keeping up with demand – but are able to begin to replenish our stockpiles.

o   Treatments – We are beginning a new trial, for selected NHS patients, of an anti-viral drug, called remdesivir. Early data suggesting it can shorten recovery time by about around four days. This is probably the biggest step forward in the treatment of coronavirus since the crisis began.

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

• National Voices: Letter regarding NHS COVID-19 tracing app to Matthew Gould (NHSX CEO) – The letter raises concerns that certain groups can’t or won’t take advantage of the app and that much more needs to be done for these groups, either by supporting them to take advantage of this technology, or by providing them with alternatives where needed.

·       BBC: Local lockdowns will be used to suppress ‘flare-ups’ – Today (27 May) we’ll get more details on plans to impose local lockdowns to deal with flare-ups of the virus in England. It could see schools, workplaces or wider areas shut down. This would be part of the test, track and trace system designed to prevent a second wave of infections. Mr Hancock said: “We have a system that we’re putting in place with a combination of Public Health England and the new Joint Biosecurity Centre, along with the local directors of public health who play an absolutely crucial role in the decision-making in the system.”

·       BBC: Global picture

o   Latin America has now become the centre of the pandemic. Brazil has by far the highest recorded death toll in the region, and with the rate of testing very low, the true figure will inevitably be far higher.

o   US is nearing the grim milestone of 100,000 lives lost.

o   In Europe, Spain is beginning a 10-day period of national mourning in memory of the almost 30,000 people who have died.  France has announced a bail-out for its struggling car industry, and Denmark has reopened its borders to couples who were divided by the lockdown.

 

Suffolk

 

Suffolk recycling Centres update: Following the successful re-opening of Suffolk’s Recycling Centres, 2,068 additional appointments are now available each week to enable more people to recycle their waste.  Two weeks ago <Thursday May 14> all of Suffolk’s 11 sites re-opened on an appointment only basis and since then, 95% of all slots have been booked. This amounts to 28,500 appointments. The booking system has proved an efficient and effective way of allowing people to easily dispose of their rubbish and help manage demand on the service, and has been given widespread public support. It has helped reduce traffic disruption on roads around the sites, and supported social distancing on site for staff and members of the public. For more information click here

 

Slow Down, Save Lives: With the roads significantly quieter due to the covid-19 pandemic some drivers may be more likely to speed. Therefore Police in Suffolk will be targeting speeding drivers as part of a nationwide enforcement campaign starting next week, whilst promoting the message #SlowDownSaveLives. The initiative, which is co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, will run from Monday 25 May until Sunday 7 June, and will see an increased amount of checks and enforcement across the county.  Officers will be speaking with drivers during the campaign, aiming to highlight the dangers of speeding and informing them of the risks and consequences that driving above the limit can have. For more information click here

Sizewell update: The Council Leaders of East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council have offered a joint response following submission of EDF Energy’s application for a Development Consent Order to build a new nuclear power station at Sizewell. Whilst both councils have been supportive of EDF Energy making the DCO submission, they continue to call on the energy provider to ensure they talk to the two local authorities before triggering the formal Section 56 process and timescale which includes a period of formal public engagement. With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there is a high level of concern that the current period of social distancing and restricted movement will not give the community its fullest opportunity possible to engage with the planning process. Over the next 28 days, the Planning Inspectorate has to assess EDF Energy’s submission and determine if they are willing to accept it for Examination. During this period, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council will be asked, as ‘host’ local authorities for their opinion on the adequacy of consultation that EDF Energy has carried out in advance of the submission. If the application is accepted by the Planning Inspectorate after the 28 day period, both councils expect to work closely with the Planning Inspectorate and EDF Energy to set an appropriate start time for the Section 56 period, which is a formal time-specific planning process. Read more 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
UPDATED	Coronavirus (COVID-19): scientific evidence supporting the UK government response	Professionals	Updated the list of evidence provided to SAGE with 2 papers on environmental transmission and dispersion: – Environmental influence on transmission of COVID-19 (28 April 2020) – Evidence of environmental dispersion of COVID-19 for different mechanisms (14 April 2020)
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
	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 127, 26 May