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 2 June, 277,985 people have tested positive. As of 5pm on 1 June, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 39,369 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	612	246.5 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	177	172.7 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	149	163.0 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	226	126.3 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,513	199.5 per 100,000 resident

• Government’s daily press conference on COVID-19: 2 June – as of 9AM, transcript not available

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

• Public health border measures to come into force next week – The new rules will be published 3 June. Key measures will include that all arrivals (bar a short list of exemptions) will be required to complete an online locator form to supply contact details, travel details and the address of where they will self-isolate for 14 days.
• Coronavirus recovery in prisons and probation – Prisons and Probation Minister Lucy Frazer set out how those services will start to recover from the restrictions imposed in response to coronavirus. The new guidance is available here (prisons) and here (probation), which are also highlighted in the table below.
• Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on contact tracking and tracing – Chair of the Committee Clive Betts has raised various questions to the PM about the government’s approach to contact tracking & tracing, particularly on the implementation responsibility and the role of local organisations.
• NHS COVID-19 contact tracing message: how can I tell if it’s real or a scam? – UK’s consumer body Which? Explains what to look out for if you think an NHS Test and Trace call or message could be fake.
• Current COVID-19 hotspots – and how your area compares – Interactive map from Sky News analysis of data from recent weeks, which indicates how prevalent the virus remains across England and Wales.
• BBC: Ibuprofen tested as a treatment (Liberate trial) – The team from London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital and King’s College believe the drug, which is an anti-inflammatory as well as a painkiller, could treat breathing difficulties. The trial will use a special formulation of ibuprofen rather than the regular tablets that people might usually buy.
• BBC: Risk of death is higher for ethnic minorities – The latest PHE report says that people from ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of dying from coronavirus. Age remains the biggest risk factor, while being male is another. The impact of Covid-19 is also “disproportionate” for other Asian, Caribbean and black ethnicities. But it remains unclear why. Prof John Newton said although the virus was having a worse impact on black and minority ethnic people, “that is not necessarily because of their ethnicity” and could instead be related to their job, for example. “The report if nothing else emphasises the complexity of what we’re seeing, so really we’re urging people not to jump to conclusions and institute measures which are not really justified by the data,” he added.
• BBC: Global Picture
  • Italy is opening up for tourists once more. Travellers from most European countries will be allowed to enter from Wednesday, with no quarantine, and Italy is also lifting restrictions on domestic travel, allowing people to move between regions.
  • Across Europe, new virus cases are steadily declining, The only exceptions are Russia and other Eastern European countries.  Read how various European nations are opening up here.
  • Brazil’s death toll has now surpassed 31,000. The country is the worst-hit in Latin America, the current global hotspot of the pandemic. Despite this, several major Brazilian cities are starting to reopen, causing concern among health officials

 

 

Suffolk

 

Emergency Walking and Cycling Measures: SCC are making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle. Roads closed to motorised vehicles:   

• Wellesley Road Bridge, Ipswich  (closed from 4 June 2020)
• Upper Brook Street, Ipswich (closed from 15 June 2020). This is part of the Safer Places work  https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/ipswich-reopens-after-lockdown-1-6681869

 

Help Sleeping: Every mind matters have published some tips on how to get to sleep and how to sleep better. They also have expert advice and tips to help look after your mental health and wellbeing if you are worried or anxious about Covid-19. Click here to find out more.

 

Visit Suffolk Advice: With lockdown restrictions loosened more people will be visiting Suffolk’s stunning coast and countryside – but Visit Suffolk have urged the public to do it safely, observe social distancing and follow the Countryside Code. This includes respecting wildlife who may have recolonised in some areas and making sure you stick to public rights of way. For more information click here

 

Breastfeeding Awareness Week: This week is Breastfeeding Awareness Week and the focus of this year’s week is breastfeeding during the Covid-19 pandemic. Start 4 Life have shared lots of information and support for mums on their breastfeeding journey. Click here for more information.

 

 

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	COVID-19: National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services	Prison sector	This Framework sets out how we will take decisions about the cautious easing of these restrictions, guided by public health advice and the best available data. There will not be a simple easing of restrictions across the estate, but this national guidance will ensure there is consistency in decision-making by governors.
NEW	COVID-19: Probation Roadmap to Recovery	Probation services	A summary of how we plan to continue to deliver probation services whilst COVID-19 remains a factor but government guidance on lockdown is gradually relaxed.
NEW	COVID-19: review of disparities in risks and outcomes	professionals	This is a descriptive review of surveillance data on disparities in the risk and outcomes from COVID-19. The review looked at different factors including: – age and sex – where people live – deprivation – ethnicity – people’s occupation – care home residence   The findings help improve our understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and will help guide the future public health response to it.
UPDATED	What parents and carers need to know about schools and education during the coronavirus outbreak	parents and carers	Updated information on what parents and carers need to know about schools, colleges and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak. This includes information on the curriculum, afterschool activities, repeating a year for pupils, transport and keeping children safe online. We have also amended information on if its compulsory to send pupils to educational settings and education for children at home. It also includes updated information for parents of children with special education needs.
UPDATED	COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings	health professionals	Added: – 4.3-4.4 Staff who have been notified that they are a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19  should inform their line manager and self-isolate for 14 days – 5. Risk assessment for staff exposures in the workplace while not wearing PPE, or had a breach in their PPE
UPDATED	Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested	everyone	Added documents for care homes: ‘How to use Randox test kits’ and ‘How to use non-Randox test kits’.
UPDATED	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings	staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.	Early Years guidance updated to include a restructure of the document in line with wider opening, updated content on funding including in relation to the Competition and Markets Authority and insurance, updated content on infection prevention and control, a new section on attendance, new information on the use of community centres and before and after school clubs, a new section of safeguarding and welfare including provisions for children with SEND and a clarification on paediatric first aid certificates.
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 134, 2 June