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 11^th June, 291,409 people have tested positive. As of 5pm on 10^th June, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, across all settings, 41,279 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	352	255.2 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	623	251.0 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	183	178.5 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	152	166.3 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	234	130.8 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,544	203.4     per 100,000 resident

 

• Government daily COVID-19 press conference- Health Secretary’s Statement- 11^th June (transcript currently not available)

• • Test and Trace: Stressed the importance to test the virus, and “tracing virus spread is critical to containing it locally, so it will ease national lockdown.”
  • In the plan to lift lockdown “Test and Trace is the radar”.
  • Emphasised the general public’s role “if you have symptoms, you MUST immediately self-isolate and get a test”.
  • “If you test positive, you MUST work with NHS Test and Trace to identify who you’ve been in close contact with and if you’re asked by NHS Test and Trace to isolate you MUST do so.”
  • Participation with NHS Test and Trace is “civic duty”.
  • Taking into account all of the evidence, the estimate is that currently R is below one in all regions.

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

• The government confirmed the allocation of £300 million for local authorities across England to support Test and Trace. Suffolk has been allocated £2,789,363.
• In the latest bulletin ‘Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 11 June 2020’ published by Office for National Statistics (ONS):

·        Over half of adults (53%) in Great Britain had visited a park or public green space between 4 and 7 June, an increase compared with previous weeks

·        Of businesses in the UK continuing to trade, and who sell goods or services online, 32% responded that online sales have increased

• An analysis by ONS ‘Coronavirus and the impact on output in the UK economy: April 2020’ highlights a significant shock to the UK economy as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. UK GDP fell by 20.4% in April 2020, the largest fall since monthly records began in 1997.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey pilot: England, 12 June 2020 by ONS estimated that between  25 May and 7 June 2020, an average of 0.06% of the community population had COVID-19 (an average of 33,000 people in England). This encouraging trend over time shows evidence that the number of people in England testing positive has decreased.
• ‘The mental health effects of the first two months of lockdown and social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK’ report published by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS)  confirms the widening of mental health inequality as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with those with “poorest mental health pre-crisis also having had the largest deterioration”. This report predicts a 8.1% decline in mental health in the UK as a result of the coronavirus pandemic on average, with more severe decline in young adults, women, and those with poor mental health prior to the pandemic. 
• ‘Premature discharge from hospital’ a survey carried out by The Patients Association evaluated discharge of patients from hospital before they were well enough to leave the hospital. 98 patients responded to the survey, of which 83 patients gave adequate information for evaluation. According to information provided by patients undertaking the survey 44 of these 83 patient discharges (53%) were identified as premature and unsafe discharge. As per a previously published report by the ‘Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman – A report of investigations into unsafe discharge from hospital’ premature and unsafe discharges can cause unnecessary suffering and highlights the importance of joint working between health and social care services.
• A new tool ‘Health and Wellbeing Boards reset tool: To support HWB chairs move into the next stage of COVID-19’ has been developed by the Local Government Association (LGA) to support Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) chairs/chairmen move into the next stage of COVID-19. This tool can be adapted to each local authorities unique challenges.
• ‘Readying the NHS and adult social care in England for COVID-19’ an extensive report by the Comptroller and Auditor General is intended to aid transparency of government response to COVID-19 and public understanding of the pandemic’s impact. Key findings from this report are categorised as:

·        Coordinating the NHS and adult social care response to COVID-19

·        Caring for people in hospital

·        Providing adult social care and shielding the most vulnerable

·        Expanding, equipping and supporting the health and adult social care workforces

• BBC: The Isle of Man will become the first place in the UK to scrap social distancing rules for the general public as a result of the coronavirus pandemic on Monday. However, social distancing measures will still need to be followed by those working in health care and elderly care homes. The island’s borders will remain closed at present.  
• BBC Health: The government is under increasing pressure to publish a Public Health England (PHE) review on safeguarding proposals to tackle the risks of coronavirus for people from ethnic minorities. This follows a previous PHE review confirming “coronavirus kill people from ethnic minorities at disproportionately high rates”.
• BBC: Health: Coronavirus: England test and trace system identifies 31,000 contacts of people with coronavirus during the first week of the test and trace system in England. This was from 8,000 people who tested positive for coronavirus.
• BBC: Global picture:

·        There  is an increased risk of millions of children being pushed into child labour as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – UN.

·        Hospitals in India are struggling to cope, and are turning COVID-19 patients away. Officials warn the virus has not yet peaked.

·        The number of cases in Mumbai, India has surpassed those in Wuhan, China where the virus first appeared.

 

Suffolk

 

Foxhall Re-use shop reopening: SCC, FCC Environment and The Benjamin Foundation are delighted to announce that the Re-use shop at the Foxhall Recycling Centre, Ipswich, will be reopening on June 15th.  There are a number of changes in place, including temporary amends to the opening times, and some measures imposed to make sure that staff and members of the public follow national guidelines. For more information click here

 

Face coverings: From the 15 June 2020 people must wear face coverings on public transport and when visiting hospital. The government have published guidance to help businesses (large or small), organisations or individuals who may want to make face coverings to sell.  Click here

 

Testing for Family Carers: Family Carers are eligible for fast track testing as they are classed as essential workers. For more information click here

 

NHS here for you and your family: Local Clinical Commissioning Groups are urging people not to put off seeking medical for other conditions during the Covid-19 Pandemic. GP practices, pharmacies, NHS 111, A&E, mental health services etc are all open and have measures in place to protect patients and staff.

 

Chamber connections: Suffolk Chamber of Commerce have launched some free new virtual events for businesses. 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	Local authority test and trace service support grant	Local Council	Details about local authority support grant, including: Determination Allocation Conditions Suffolk has been allocated £2,789,363
UPDATED	NHS test and trace: how it works	General Public	Contact tracers will now send text messages from ‘NHStracing’ instead of ‘NHS’
UPDATED	What parents and carers need to know about schools and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak	Parents, Carers	Updated to include information about which children do not need to wear face coverings when travelling to school. “Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly.”
UPDATED	Guidance for households with grandparents, parents and children living together where someone is at increased risk or has possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection	General Public	Guidance updated to align with Test and Trace regulations, such as guidance when an individual develops symptoms of COVID-19:   “Alert the people that you have had close contact with over the last 48 hours to let them know that you might have COVID-19 but are waiting for a test result.”
UPDATED	COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information	Local Council	•No care homes in Suffolk reported an outbreak in the week commencing 1 June. •42.3% of care homes in Suffolk have reported an outbreak to date (44.2% East of England): o          Babergh 46.4% o          East Suffolk 59.3% o          Ipswich 70.8% o          Mid Suffolk 70% o          West Suffolk 55.6%
UPDATED	National COVID-19 surveillance reports	General Public and Professionals	Change made: Added week 24 report and infographic. •Nationally, detections of COVID-19 cases continued to decline across all age groups and regions during week 23 •New data from week 22 indicate prevalence of 4.2% in the East of England •Activity remains highest in the North and Midlands. •While care home outbreaks have continued to decline, there has been an increase in hospital and ‘other settings’ outbreaks
UPDATED	NHS test and trace statistics (England): 28 May to 3 June 2020	General Public and Professionals	Added attachment: ‘NHS test and trace statistics, 28 May to 3 June: data tables’: •67% of people transferred to the contact tracing system were reached and asked to provide contacts •85% of contacts identified were reached and asked to self-isolate ·79% people were reached and asked to provide information about contacts within 24 hours
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	General Public	This page includes: latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).
2	GOV.UK – COVID-19 homepage	Main cover webpage for all government guidance for public & professionals alike	Main cover webpage for both public and professionals containing the links to: National guidance News/Announcements Press conferences Statistics
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 143, 11 June