Cumbrians reassured about AZ vaccine as new COVID-19 cases drop
As the county prepares for the next step in the easing of lockdown rules new COVID-19 cases dropped to numbers last seen in September, with 81 new infections recorded in week ending 2 April, down from 134 the previous week.
For the seventh week in a row, Allerdale had the greatest number of new cases (+26 new cases);
While there was some variation between districts, the infection rate in Cumbria (16/100k) remains below national and regional averages (38/100k and 44/100k respectively).
The number of patients in hospital and new admissions to hospital also decreased.
The vaccination programme continued to roll out across the county, with data up to week ending 1 April showing almost two thirds of eligible Cumbrians having had their first vaccine dose. The recent announcements relating to the AstraZeneca vaccine are not anticipated to significantly affect the programme.
Easing lockdown restrictions from 12 April will see non-essential retail reopen along with outdoor opening of hospitality venues. Social contact rules remain unchanged, people can still only meet in groups of up to 6 people, or two households, outdoors.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health (pictured), said: “The number of new cases remains low and that is excellent. Restrictions will ease a little more from Monday and I’d just ask people to remember to follow the social contact rules to help drive infections down even further.
“The announcements about the AstraZeneca vaccine this week may be causing some people concern, but I’d want to reassure people that the vaccine remains very safe and effective and that this is actually our medicines regulation system doing its job. Even for younger people the balance of risk is still strongly in favour of vaccination and because we have multiple different vaccines have the flexibility to tweak the programme as issues arise. If I am offered the AstraZeneca vaccine, I will certainly accept it.”
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Restart grants now open for businesses
Along with the roadmap out of lockdown, the government promised further grants in order to support British businesses whilst they remain closed or slowly start to reopen where possible.
As of the 1st April, the Restart Grants Scheme has been in operation. This scheme is broken down into two strands and supports businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors.
The grant amounts will be a one-off payment for each eligible property, based on the rateable value:
- a one-off grant of up to £6,000 in the non-essential retail sector
- a one-off grant of up to £18,000 in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors
How to claim
Due to the government increasing the information we need to collect from each business and the level of checks required to carry out before payment, you will have to apply for the grant even if we have already paid you one of the other business grants.
Before you apply
- Please make sure you have a copy of your business rates bill and that you upload a bank statement when making your application.
- You will also need to provide the date that your business was established.
- Please also provide the cumulative total of all business support grants your business has received.
We will aim to get grants issued to businesses at the earliest opportunity. The government has asked local authorities to carry out additional pre-payment checks on these applications, so please allow a minimum of three weeks before contacting us.
And finally - Please note that all previous grants are now closed for applications apart from the second round of payments for the Local Restriction Support Grant closed Addendum (payments made between 16th February - 31st March). Additional Restrictions Grant have been suspended until further notice.
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Recovery Loan Scheme for businesses launched
A new government-backed loan scheme launched this week to provide additional finance to those businesses that need it.
Businesses – ranging from coffee shops and restaurants, to hairdressers and gyms – and can access loans varying in size from £25,000, up to a maximum of £10 million. Invoice and asset finance is available from £1,000.
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Test and Trace support payment
We have updated our website with new information on the financial support available for people on low-incomes who have been advised to self-isolate. There is now more information and an application form for parents and guardians of children who have been advised to self-isolate. Click the image to find out more.
Keeping patients connected
While hospital visiting remains suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is working to help keep patients and their families connected.
New volunteers have recently been recruited to the ‘Keeping Patients Connected’ project and the Trust is encouraging more people to apply to become a volunteer. The project aims to facilitate patients having virtual visits with their families and friends using iPads.
Nicole Cottingham, volunteer coordinator for Keeping Patients Connected, said: “The project aims to help our patients and their families but also we hope it will help take the pressure off busy ward staff.
“We have two new volunteers who have started on Elm A ward at the Cumberland Infirmary, one volunteer waiting to start on Eden Unit in Penrith and two volunteers waiting to start on Ward 4 at the West Cumberland Hospital.”
An information session for anyone who is considering becoming a volunteer is taking place on Friday 30th April from 11am to 12pm online via zoom.
For joining details please email: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk or call Cumbria CVS on 01768 800350.
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