Current UK Alert Level: 3
On 19/06/2020 update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the UK alert level confirmed that the UK COVID-19 alert level has been lowered from risk level 4 to risk level 3. It does not mean that the pandemic is over. The virus is still in general circulation, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur.
Please note the Governmentâs messaging is âstay alert, control the virus, save livesâ (previously âstay at home, protect the NHS, save livesâ)
Current UK Situation
As of 5pm on 9th July: 287,621 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK (pillar 1 and pillar 2 testing). Of those who tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK, 44,602 have died across all settings. 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 â please note that these case numbers and the rates per 100,000 population cannot be compared with the case numbers and rates given in previous bulletins. From 2 July, the number of lab-confirmed positive cases now includes those identified by testing in all settings (pillars 1 and 2). Pillar 2 refers to tests in commercial labs working in partnership with the NHS. Previously, only Pillar 1 confirmed cases were included (tests completed in NHS labs). Due to this change many cases previously not attributed to any area are now included in area totals. This is not a recent surge in cases â the cases now being reported occurred from April onwards. As this quality of this data continues to improve, these numbers may continue to fluctuate over time, but overall, case numbers and case rates in Suffolk remain low compared to the East of England and England as a whole. 3 cases have been added compared to the previous briefing (3 in East Suffolk).
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Ipswich |
696 |
506.1 per 100,000 residents |
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East Suffolk |
867 |
349.2 per 100,000 residents |
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Mid Suffolk |
324 |
316.1 per 100,000 residents |
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Babergh |
259 |
283.4 per 100,000 residents |
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West Suffolk |
476 |
266.1 per 100,000 residents |
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Suffolk East of England England |
2,622 23,563 247,609 |
345.7 per 100,000 residents 380.0 per 100,000 residents 442.3 per 100,000 residents |
COVID-19 related news from GOV.UK
- Thousands of business advisers to offer free services to small firms: The Recovery Advice for Business scheme will give small firms access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and to prepare for long-term recovery.
- Government announces gyms and pools to reopen safely: Outdoor pools can reopen to the public from 11 July followed by indoor gyms, pools and leisure centres on 25 July.
- 97.5% of in-person coronavirus (COVID-19) tests returned next day: Statistics covering the 5th week of operation (25 June to 1 July) of the NHS Test and Trace service have been published today.
- Performing Arts given green light to resume outdoors on July 11: Outdoor performances with social distancing can resume from July 11.
- Space Agency backs space-enabled drones to deliver Covid-19 testing kits: Drones delivering COVID-19 test kits and technology using space data to support vulnerable people are among the projects backed by new UK Space Agency funding.
Other COVID-19 related news
- Suffolk County Councilâs Public Health team have launched an online âCoronawatchâ dashboard to gather all publicly available data on COVID-19 in Suffolk in one place.
You will be able to access national and local data including confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), Deaths from coronavirus, Care home outbreaks and Google social mobility data from the dashboard along with a series of briefings which have been produced on related topics, all from publicly available sources.
Visit the Coronawatch Dashboard: www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/jsna/coronawatch
BBC Health:
- Data shows cases in England falling: Two reports charting coronavirus cases in England show the number of people in the community with the disease is falling.
- Asymptomatic testing for taxi drivers and cleaners in England: People in “high-contact” professions, such as taxi drivers, pharmacists and cleaners will be tested for coronavirus even if they don’t have symptoms, as part of a pilot in England.
- Hong Kong is to suspend all schools amid a spike in locally-transmitted cases of Covid-19, officials confirm
- The US posted another record rise in cases of more than 65,000 in 24 hours – according to Johns Hopkins University
- Singapore is holding a national election with strict safety measures in place
- New Zealand’s ex-PM Helen Clark, appointed to a WHO panel, says the global response has been “flat-footed”
- A second South American leader, this time in Bolivia, has tested positive for the virus, following Brazil’s Bolsonaro
- Globally there are now 12.2 million cases and more than 550,000 deaths
Suffolk
Covid-19 Response: Read the speech to a meeting of Suffolk County Council from Cllr. Matthew Hicks, Leader of the Council, on the role the council has played during the COVID19 pandemic. Click here
Worry about returning to work: Suffolk Mindâs Head of Mental Health Education, Ezra Hewing issues some advice to help those of you feeling anxious about returning to work. Click here to read
Dealing with worry during coronavirus: Suffolk Wellbeing are running an online course called âCoping with Worry during Coronavirus Timesâ. This live webinar is for everyone who is experiencing worry during these Coronavirus times. Although it is normal to worry during times of uncertainty, it can also start to affect our emotional health and general wellbeing. The webinar will explore themes such as understanding worry, what maintains worry and offers tips on how we can cope with worry in a more helpful way. Click here for more information.
Key National Guidance updates
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.
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Title |
Who For |
Comments |
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NEW |
Professionals |
Check which attractions are eligible for the temporary reduced rate of VAT from 15 July 2020. |
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NEW |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Local authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies |
Professionals |
The Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies is for local authorities in England to use to support people who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to COVID-19. |
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UPDATED |
Local authorities and partners |
FAQ for the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund has been updated to reflect latest positions and developments. |
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UPDATED |
Employers |
Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities guide added. Performing arts guide added. All close contact businesses can open from 13 July with some restrictions. |
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UPDATED |
Everyone |
Serbia was removed from the exemptions list based on the latest assessment of risks there. The FCO advises against non-essential travel to Serbia |
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UPDATED |
Everyone |
Updated guidance for team sport
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UPDATED |
Everyone |
Guidance updated in line with new advice on 9 July 2020.
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UPDATED |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation |
Public, providers of outdoor sport facilities, elite athletes, personal trainers and coaches |
Added the Return to recreational team sport framework and added a link to guidance for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities. |
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UPDATED |
Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and childrenâs social care |
Education, childcare and childrenâs social care organisations |
Updated overview and the early years, supply teachers in state-funded schools, independent schools, further education and apprenticeships and higher education sections. |
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UPDATED |
Everyone |
Updated to reflect changes to guidance.
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UPDATED |
Professionals |
Updated the attachment ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): care home support package’. This now includes a link to a list of local authorities that have published information online on how they’ve spent funding for adult social care during the pandemic. |
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UPDATED |
Professionals |
Added links to: Collection: A Plan for Jobs; Guidance: What educational and childcare settings need to do if there is a local lockdown; Announcement: Majority of children no longer need to shield; Announcement: £1.57 billion investment to protect cultural arts and heritage institutions; Guidance: Local Lockdown social distancing; Speech: Prime Minister’s statement on coronavirus 3 July 2020; Collection: Draft planning guidance to support the Business and Planning Bill; Guidance: Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace; Announcement: Regular retesting rolled out for care home staff and residents; Announcement: funding package for councils to help address coronavirus pressures and cover lost income during the pandemic |
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UPDATED |
Professionals |
The methodology document has been updated to reflect the changes in the methodology for calculating the time taken to receive a COVID-19 test result from time of test for home testing kits. More details about pillar 1 test turnaround times and the reasoning behind the percentage of people testing positive being removed from the publication has also been added. |
Useful Websites
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Title |
Who For |
Comments |
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1 |
General Public |
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2 |
Main cover webpage for all government guidance for public & professionals alike |
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3 |
Main collection of guidance for anyone in any setting |
Guidance includes: |
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4 |
Professionals |
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5 |
Mental health support and advice from: |
General public, staff and carers |
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6 |
Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: |
General public |
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7 |
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) COVID-19 homepage |
Professionals |
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8 |
Professionals |
The tracker compares worldwide government responses to the coronavirus rigorously and consistently. The Oxford team collects information on common policy responses, scores the stringency of such measures, and aggregates these into a Stringency Index. |
Local Resources:
Below are any local resources that would be relevant to Suffolk County Council and our partners.
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Title |
Who For |
Comments |
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Everyone |
It is important that anyone with coronavirus symptoms gets tested. Mobile testing units are mobilised by the Ministry of Defence and regularly appear across Suffolk. Please share details of the testing sites with your local community â see under Where can I get tested in Suffolk? |
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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. |
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Suffolk Domestic Abuse 24/7 Helpline â 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Everyone |
This page contains links to a wealth of resources and support for your health and wellbeing. |
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Everyone |
Suffolk County Council coronavirus (COVID-19) information, including health advice, service changes, business support and schools guidance. |
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Everyone |
Access to national and local data including confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), deaths from coronavirus, Care home outbreaks and Google social mobility data from the dashboard along with a series of briefings which have been produced on related topics, all from publicly available sources. |
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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. |
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Global: WHO Situation Report â reports available here
- 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 171, 9 July
