Enhanced Response Area status vital to protect NHS and vital services

Communication from Cambridgeshire County Council:

Local leaders have welcomed the announcement that, following an approach from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Councils, the Government has agreed that both areas will become an Enhanced Response Area for tackling the Covid pandemic from Monday.

They have pledged to use it to push for additional measures and resources to drive down recent rises in Covid-19 infection and to protect vulnerable people, the NHS and other vital services as the winter months approach.

Rising rates in older people coupled with building pressures on local health and education services led to the Councils who are both responsible for public health to ask Government to grant the whole area ‘enhanced response area’ status for at least five weeks from Monday November 1 – to bring down infection rates which are currently higher in most areas than seen in January’s peak.

An application by Jyoti Atri the area’s joint Director of Public Health – supported by lead politicians and local health partners – for Enhanced Response Area status was agreed by Government today.

The ERA status allows us to push for additional support to:

  • Accelerate and target 12-15 vaccination roll out to key areas and schools where infections are highest
  • Accelerate booster vaccinations for eligible groups who have had their second vaccination more than six months ago
  • Increase vaccination rate in areas with the lowest uptake

In addition, as part of ERA status the area will enter into further discussions with the DfE about additional measures it can use in schools, but in the meantime it will continue to:

  • Encourage secondary school teachers or pupils who are household contacts of positive cases to take daily LFT tests
  • Continue with advice given to schools before the half term that face coverings should be worn in secondary school communal areas, and that meetings happen virtually where possible
  • Encourage anyone who is a household contact of a positive case to take daily rapid tests,  until a negative PCR test is received

For the general population a government funded additional communications push will also begin from next week

  • Recommending wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed areas where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet’
  • Reminding people to get their vaccinations, test regularly and particularly before attending events, meet with others outside their households in well ventilated spaces and wash hands regularly and well

“A rising rate of infections particularly in our older population meant I had to make this application now,” said Jyoti Atri, Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. “This increase starting to build in our 60+ age groups, coupled with low vaccination rates in some parts of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – means   pressure is building on our local health services. This is exacerbated by increased levels of Covid infections in the general population, and staff being unable to work because they are infected or isolating. If unchecked, this will also impact on health care for other non Covid needs.

“If we all do more now – together we can reduce pressure before worst effects of winter really begin.”

“We are taking leadership locally now to protect lives and the health of local people, acting quickly in response to the expert advice given by our Public Health officials and recognising the seriousness that local trends have highlighted,” said Cllr Richard Howitt, Chair of the Council’s Adults and Health Committee. “I fully support the steps our Director of Public Health has taken and our County Council will do everything both to push for the resources to which this new status entitles us and to do everything to help implement new measures in response.

Cllr Howitt added: “Our vital public services – not just the health services, but the education of children in our schools – is starting to be severely affected by the rising rates of infection, with children missing their lessons or schools needing to close classes or even whole year groups because there aren’t a safe level of adults present due to isolation.”

“The Enhanced status will further enable measures across the whole population that we know can work to slow down infection rates and were working earlier in the year. I hope this will be a wake-up call to anyone locally who believes the pandemic is over, and urge people to take notice of what is being recommended very seriously indeed.”

Covid Self Isolation Guidance

Do you know the new guidance on self-isolation?

If you’re fully vaccinated or under 18 you no longer need to self-isolate if you’re a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 (14 days must have passed since your second dose).

But you still need to get a PCR test as soon as possible to check whether you have the virus. Book online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. You don’t need to isolate whilst waiting for the results, but it might be a good idea to take extra precautions.

People who are double vaccinated can still get COVID-19, so wear a mask in public places, limit contact with others and consider those who are more vulnerable.

If you are not vaccinated yet, book online at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 or phone 119. You can also get your vaccine from one of the many walk-in centres and pop up clinics – find out where by visiting www.thevaccinators.co.uk.

Remember, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 you MUST self-isolate and get a PCR test.

This information can also be download as a pdf – Community self Isolate leaflet

National Lockdown

As you are aware, we are now in a national lockdown and we must all stay at home unless we have a “reasonable excuse”. A copy of the government guidance can be found at gov.uk/coronavirus or downloaded here: National Lockdown Guidance.

The Hilton Coronavirus volunteer support, co-ordinated by the Parish Council, is available to organise assistance to anyone in the village who needs it during this time.

Assistance could include (but is not limited to):

  • Picking up shopping
  • Collecting prescriptions
  • Posting mail
  • A friendly telephone call
  • Help with methods of online communication

If you need any help or would like to volunteer please contact Nicola Webster, Clerk to the Council, at or on 830605.

Playground Risk Assessment – Covid-19

You can read a copy of the Parish Council’s risk assessment below:

Covid-19 Risk Assessment – Playground

Top Tips for staying well

Top Tips

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has produced a poster showing some top tips for staying well whilst isolating. You can find a copy of this poster below:

TopTips for staying well

County Council Support Hub

County Council Support Hub

Please find contact details for the support hubs below:

Covid-19 Co-ordination Hubs info and contacts

A COVID-19 coordination hub has been launched across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help those in our communities who are most affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council are working closely with partners to call upon people across the county to get in touch if they can volunteer their time to help others in a co-ordinated effort, which will offer safe support and reassurance county and city wide.

The virtual hub – staffed by a range of council workers – will manage offers of help, thereby maximising support for communities, working alongside existing voluntary and community organisation partners.

The hub will link those who volunteer, with over 70s and others who fall within the vulnerable groups listed by the Government, who have been advised to self-isolate.

People can email and will be matched with those who need help based on their skills, time and willingness.

Adrian Chapman, service director for communities and safety for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, said: “We are seeing examples across the county of residents and communities setting up support groups which are working really effectively and mobilising people who can and want to support their neighbours.

“Our hub will work alongside those groups which are already in existence to ensure that together we can reach everyone who needs our support at this incredibly difficult time.

“If you are someone who wants to offer your help, but aren’t necessarily sure how or where you can do so, please get in touch. We will match people to roles which they are comfortable with, ranging from food delivery to personal care.

“We also want to hear from voluntary groups who are doing good work in our communities who might be struggling to continue to offer support because of reduced numbers or resources. Please email us if you need our help to continue doing what you are doing.”

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough hub is in support of a request from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to establish a national network of hubs to provide targeted support for those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

People who are already part of support groups in their community are being asked to continue to do so. Residents who want to help but are not sure where their skills can be best used, can get in touch with the hub.

There is also a video from Cllr Steve Count, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council and you can watch that video by clicking here

Covid-19 Symptom Tracker

Covid-19 Symptom Tracker

Parishioners are encouraged to use https://covid.joinzoe.com/ to track their symptoms, even if they are symptom free.

By using this app you’re contributing to advance vital research on COVID-19. The app will be used to study the symptoms of the virus and track how it spreads.

This research is led by Dr Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and director of TwinsUK a scientific study of 15,000 identical and non-identical twins, which has been running for nearly three decades.

The COVID Symptom Tracker was designed by doctors and scientists at King’s College London, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals working in partnership with ZOE Global Ltd – a health science company.

Please visit the website for further information.

St Ives and Villages Local Shops

St Ives and Villages Local Shops

This website has just been set up by a kind parishioner (free of charge). It is a free website to help you get local deliveries, and support local suppliers during the coronavirus pandemic. If you know of any local suppliers or services that should be listed on this website please contact them and let them know.

www.stivesandvillages.co.uk

Coronavirus Door Sign

 

If you are self-isolating you could use the door sign below to alert delivery drivers and neighbours of your situation. If you are unable to print and would like one of these signs printed for you please contact Nicola Webster – or 830605

Coronavirus door sign