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This February, while we remain in lockdown, it is important to remember national guidance in order to stay safe over the half-term break and continue to drive down infection rates.
Stay at home
Despite many people taking time off and children having a break from school work, it’s really important that we all stay home and don’t mix with other households. This remains the most effective way to reduce the spread of the virus and help protect the NHS.
Continue to follow the rules after vaccination
High numbers of people in the priority groups set out by the Government to receive the vaccine first have now done so. No vaccine is 100% effective and while the vaccines approved for use in the UK have extremely high efficacy rates, we are still learning about to what extent those who are vaccinated can carry and transmit the virus.
To ensure we keep seeing improvements to the situation in the UK, we cannot become complacent. Sticking to the rules even when you are vaccinated means you continue to protect others.
Testing and self-isolating
The rules on testing and self-isolation have not changed.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you must start to self-isolate immediately and book a test. Self-isolation should happen for ten days from when you first get symptoms and those in your household must also self-isolate. If someone in your household develops symptoms later, they must then self-isolate for a further ten days from this day.
If you have been vaccinated, you must still self-isolate if you are told to, or if someone in your household tests positive.
Mental Health
From struggling with loneliness, juggling work and home schooling and dealing with the enormous changes to our lives, mental wellbeing has been impacted in lots of ways during the pandemic. The Every Mind Matters online tool is a simple way to help you look after your mental health and includes expert advice and practical tips. Information is also available on the Council’s wellbeing pages .
Staying vigilant
We are living through a life-altering event and we are all dealing with new and (in many cases) difficult ways of working, living and educating our children, plus really missing our family and friends. While there is certainly news to be positive about, it doesn’t make the reality of the pandemic any easier and it may become more tempting as we come out of the dark, cold winter months to get out and about and venture further from home.
The more we resist this and stick to those stay at home rules the more we will see further improvements.
Call for people aged 70 and over, or people who are officially shielding to contact NHS for a COVID-19 jab
People aged 70 and over, and people who have been advised by GP letter to shield, who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 and who would like to be are now being asked to contact the NHS to arrange a jab.
Until now the NHS has asked people to wait until they are contacted to help ensure that those who are most vulnerable are protected first – and that remains the case for most people. However, to ensure absolutely everyone is offered the vaccine, people aged 70 and over can now contact the NHS so they can be vaccinated.
The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.
The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. Visit BLMK CCG for more information.
Help for rough sleepers in Bedford Borough as temperatures drop below zero
There continues to be support and shelter for rough sleepers in Bedford Borough with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight.
Outreach teams respond to reports of rough sleepers quickly from early morning to late evening as well as regular patrols of the Borough. Offers of accommodation, on-going support and assistance are made to anyone who is rough sleeping.
Accommodation is available for anyone to access 24/7.
Bedford Borough Council is encouraging anyone that is sleeping rough or at risk of becoming homeless and needs support to contact the Council's Housing Options Team at any time on 01234 718058 or if you do not have the means to make a phone call, visit the council’s Customer Service Centre on Horne Lane during office hours.
If anyone has concerns about someone they see sleeping rough, please contact the outreach teams at www.streetlink.org.uk
For updates on what's happening locally, visit our dedicated coronavirus webpage: www.bedford.gov.uk/covid19
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