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 ‘delay’ phase of the government’s action plan to limit the spread of the virus.

 

Current UK Situation

• As of 9am on 31 March 2020, a total of 143,186 people have been tested, of which 25,150 were confirmed positive. As of 5pm on 30 March 2020, of those hospitalised in the UK, 1,789 have died. The figures for test results and for deaths are compiled from different sources, which is why the figures for deaths are reported from an earlier point in time than the figures for test results. Latest numbers can be viewed here.
• In Suffolk we have 116 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 by local authority here.
• Government’s daily briefing: 31 March 2020
  • Sadly, yesterday (30 Mar) we recorded the highest single increase in the number of deaths as a result of COVID-19. 381 people died, meaning that of those hospitalised in the UK, the number who have passed away now totals 1,789.
  • More NHS staff are returning to the frontline and more frontline testing is taking place to help those self-isolating come back and to protect those working so hard in our hospitals and in social care.
  • Before the epidemic struck we had very little domestic manufacture of ventilators. Now orders have been placed with consortia led by Ford, Airbus, the Formula 1 Racing teams including Mclaren, GKN Aerospace and Rolls Royce and Dysons. This weekend, the first of thousands of new ventilator devices will roll off the production line.
  • We are conducting rapid clinical trials on those drugs, including anti-malarials, which may be able to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on those affected.
  • Military helicopter facilities have been set up to support medical transports across Scotland and the rest of the UK. The task force is also available for general support such as moving equipment and personnel to where they are needed across the UK.
  • Press conference slides (transport use, new cases, hospital admissions, deaths) and datasets available here.
  • View past press conferences on YouTube.
• Supporting disabled people through the coronavirus outbreak – A joint statement from Justin Tomlinson MP, Helen Whately MP and Vicky Ford MP outlining how the government plans to support disabled people, their carers, and their families during the coronavirus outbreak.
• MHRA approves new life-saving breathing aid to help keep coronavirus (COVID-19) patients out of intensive care – Adapted breathing aid (CPAP) developed by UCL, UCLH and Mercedes Formula One provides vital technology to NHS.

 

SUFFOLK

 

• Guidance for businesses on grant funding: The Government has released new guidance for businesses on the support grant funding they may be eligible for. For more information visit; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-support-grant-funding-guidance-for-businesses?utm_source=b4f9bdbf-710a-4ee2-b783-da955ee31ea5&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

 

• Care Market: Cllr Hopfensperger has written about how SCC are supporting the care market at this time. To read the full piece visit;  https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news/show/supporting-the-care-sector-during-the-coronavirus

 

• Let’s keep moving Suffolk; A new online resource has been launched to support everyone in Suffolk to get active from the safety of their homes and gardens or during their one session of daily exercise away from their home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Keep Moving Suffolk is the brainchild of the county’s Most Active Partnership – a group of key public service and voluntary agencies working together to make a positive impact on physical health and mental health activity in Suffolk. For more information visit www.keepmovingsuffolk.com which is full of local and national information and resources that have been developed specifically to make it easy for people to become, or remain, active at home during these challenging times.

 

• Suffolk Local Offer Facebook page: The Suffolk Local Offer Facebook page provides information and support for families who have children with Special Educational Needs. This page is being used to share lots of helpful advice and tips to families who are educating their children at home during this time. To find out more please visit; https://www.facebook.com/SuffolkLO

 

• Trading Standards: A reminder that Scammers are taking advantage of Coronavirus to spread fear and uncertainty in the community. Please stay alert and report any scams to Suffolk Trading Stands on 08082231133

 

• Community Action Suffolk Survey: Community Action Suffolk have launched a survey to establish the impact Coronavirus is having across the County. This survey will help them to develop a strategy with key partners and stakeholders across the County to provide the right help and support to protect the sector and the valuable role it plays in many people’s lives in Suffolk. To fill in the survey on behalf of your organisation visit; https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CAS-VCSE-survey. The deadline is Sunday 5 April 2020

 

 

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.

#	Title	Who For	Comments
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014	local authorities	The guidance sets out how local authorities can use the new Care Act provisions, created under the Coronavirus Act 2020, to prioritise care and support for those who need it most. The provisions are temporary and should only be used when it is not possible for local authorities to comply with their duties under the Care Act 2014. This guidance must be read alongside the ethical framework for adult social care.
NEW	COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased	people required to manage bodies of deceased persons	Includes advice for safe funerals after discussions with faith leaders
NEW	Coronavirus (COVID-19): recreational general aviation	people in recreational general aviation	People should not take part in recreational flying during the current coronavirus outbreak.
UPDATED	COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing	Everyone	Added easy-read guide to looking after your feelings and your body.
UPDATED	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings	staff, parents and carers, pupils and students.	Under ‘Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers’ added section on parental support for keeping children safe online Under ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): school closures’ added information about the workforce, hubs and links to other guidance.
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	General Public – this is the only site we should be promoting to the public for information
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 – for non-clinical settings – for health professionals
4	Full guidance on staying at home and away from others	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.
5	COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection	households with possible infection
6	Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do	Everyone
7	Coronavirus: How to help safely	Everyone
8	COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people	Everyone
9	COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable	All adults and children who should be shielded and their family, friends, and carers
10	PHE Health Matters	Post on General FAQs that include a section to submit questions at the bottom of the page.
11	PHE Campaign Resource Centre	Range of comms resources that can be used
12	COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing	parents and carers on looking after children or young people
13	Mental health support and advice from: WHO mentalhealth.org.uk Ipswich & East CCG Living Life To The Full NHS Practitioner Wellbeing	General public, staff and carers
14	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
15	COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings	non-healthcare settings
16	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government	Local councils
17	COVID-19 essential travel guidance	Public
18	Further businesses and premises to close	businesses
19	COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses	employees, employers and businesses
20	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding	businesses

 

 

Global – 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 71, 31 Mar  (new since last 24hrs)

Location	Confirmed	Deaths
Globally	750 890 confirmed (57 610)	36 405 deaths (3301)
Western Pacific Region	104 868 confirmed (1093)	3671 deaths (22)
European Region	423 946 confirmed (31 131)	26 694 deaths (2733)
South-East Asia	4215 confirmed (131)	166 deaths (8)
Eastern Mediterranean Region	50 349 confirmed (4020)	2954 deaths (142)
Regions of the Americas	163 014 confirmed (20 935)	2836 deaths (379)
African Region	3786 confirmed (300)	77 deaths (17)