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 Situation
- As of 9am on 29 March 2020, a total of 127,737 people have been tested, of which 108,215 were confirmed negative and 19,522 were confirmed positive. As of 5pm on 28 March 2020, 1,228 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.
- As of Sun 29 Mar, in Suffolk we have 87 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 and deaths by local authority here.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Secretary of State to the social care workforce – The letter thanks the social care workforce for their help on coronavirus (COVID-19) so far.
- New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak – People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope.
- PM Boris Johnson confirmed testing positive for coronavirus on Fri 27 Mar
- Government responds on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and high blood pressure medication – There is no evidence from clinical or epidemiological studies that treatment with ACE-I or ARBs might worsen COVID-19 infection.
- Rules on carrying over annual leave to be relaxed to support key industries during COVID-19 – workers who have not taken all of their statutory annual leave entitlement due to COVID-19 will now be able to carry it over into the next 2 leave years.
- First food parcels delivered to clinically vulnerable people who need to self-isolate at home for 12 weeks but have no support network of family or friends to help them.
- Government cracks down on spread of false coronavirus information online – The Rapid Response Unit, operating from within the Cabinet Office and No10, is tackling a range of harmful narratives online – from purported âexpertsâ issuing dangerous misinformation to criminal fraudsters running phishing scams. The government is running the SHARE checklist and Donât Feed The Beast campaign here.
- Frontline NHS workers are starting to be tested to see if they have coronavirus – Critical care doctors and nurses are being tested first, followed by staff in emergency departments, paramedics and GPs. Healthcare workers in England are being sent kits to their homes, with samples sent to one of three new labs. It’s part of a collaboration involving Amazon, the Royal Mail and Boots, as well as research labs and universities.
SUFFOLK
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue help those in need in our communities:
- Government has contacted 1.5 million of the most vulnerable residents in the UK, instructing them to self-isolate and remain indoors for a period of 12 weeks.
- Suffolkâs multi-agency tactical co-ordinating group is overseeing this work.
- Following co-ordination through Friday evening, firefighters in fire engines from virtually every fire station across the county knocked on the doors of 240 people on Saturday to carry out an essential welfare check and gather relevant information about any urgent need for food or other supplies.
- The following day an additional 450 people were contacted.
- The information being gathered by our firefighters is being recorded and will be used to support these people throughout the coming weeks.
- Of the weekend visits â 28 people were identified as at high risk and food packages have been arranged and provided on Sunday.
- A further 156 people were identified as medium risk and food will be delivered in the next few days.
- Public Health Suffolkâs five ways to wellbeing: Improve your physical and mental health while we stay at home.
- Connect with others. Take time to call a friend or family member. Itâs important to stay in touch with others however you do it, and sometimes simply talking about how you feel can make a big difference.
- Be active. It can improve your physical health, help manage stress and anxiety and generally make you feel better.
- Learn. Take the opportunity to think about learning a new skill or pick up something you have enjoyed doing before. More classes and courses are also available online now than ever before.
- Take notice. Itâs all too easy to become immersed in the constant, and ever-changing media coverage surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19). Take a break from watching, listening or reading news stories and use the time for the things you enjoy. Techniques such as mindfulness can be helpful.
- Give. Giving your time and energy to others is extremely important, never more so than now, and can pay dividends for your mental wellbeing. Whether itâs looking out for and helping a neighbour, or registering to volunteer to offer support in your community, there is plenty you can do.
- Tribe Volunteer app: Thank you to those individuals and groups who have already signed up. Colleagues on the Collaborative Communities COVID-19 Board will now begin to match the offers of help with those who need help. Someone will be in touch shortly.
- Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are working with Suffolk’s Public Sector Partnership to help find short term accommodation for key workers. Email accommodation@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk if you are in urgent need of this service.
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.
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Who For |
Comments |
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NEW |
COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing |
Everyone |
Advice and information on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. |
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NEW |
COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young peopleâs mental health and wellbeing |
parents and carers on looking after children or young people |
Guidance on supporting children and young peopleâs mental health and wellbeing. |
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NEW |
COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities |
landlords, tenants and local authorities |
Non-statutory guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities in the private and social rented sectors in the context of Coronavirus (COVID-19). |
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NEW |
Everyone |
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UPDATED |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings |
staff, parents and carers, pupils and students. |
Added guidance on âCOVID-19: safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providersâ. Updated school closure guidance on âHow are vulnerable children definedâ, âIs it compulsory for parents of vulnerable children to accept their place offerâ, âWill critical workers or parents of vulnerable children be penalised if they do not send their child to schoolâ, âWhat should schools do if vulnerable children do not attend schoolâ and what public health advice should schools followâ. |
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UPDATED |
Guidance for UK businesses trading internationally |
Addition of link to Self-employment Income Support Scheme. |
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General Public â this is the only site we should be promoting to the public for information |
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Main cover webpage for all government guidance for public & professionals alike |
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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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Post on General FAQs that include a section to submit questions at the bottom of the page. |
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Range of comms resources that can be used |
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Mental health support and advice from: |
General public, staff and carers |
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Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: |
General public |
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9 |
non-healthcare settings |
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10 |
Local councils |
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11 |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): scientific evidence supporting the UK government response |
Professionals |
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12 |
Public |
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13 |
COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people |
Everyone |
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14 |
All adults and children who should be shielded and their family, friends, and carers |
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15 |
businesses |
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COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection |
households with possible infection |
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17 |
COVID-19: hotel accommodation to support key workers and vulnerable people |
hotels, hostels, B&Bs |
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding |
businesses |
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19 |
Everyone |
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20 |
employees, employers and businesses |
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Global â 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 69, 29 Mar (new since last 24hrs)
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Location |
Confirmed |
Deaths |
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Globally |
634 835 confirmed (63 159) |
29 957 deaths (3464) |
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Western Pacific Region |
102 803 confirmed (1343) |
3626 deaths (34) |
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European Region |
361 031 confirmed (36 688) |
21 493 deaths (2753) |
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South-East Asia |
3709 confirmed (624) |
139 deaths (25) |
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Eastern Mediterranean Region |
42 777 confirmed (3846) |
2668 deaths (160) |
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Regions of the Americas |
120 798 confirmed (20 484) |
1973 deaths (488) |
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African Region |
3005 confirmed (174) |
51 deaths (04) |