Coronavirus (COVID-19): Members Update
Our previous daily Members' Briefing has now moved to a weekly format which rounds up the latest updates relevant to the coronavirus response in Cumbria.
In this briefing:
On Tuesday, Cumbria published its draft COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan and is inviting feedback from the public and organisations in the county.
As the number of COVID-19 infections in the country reduces, it is expected that we will move into a new phase of response, one that relies more on responding to local outbreaks rather than on a national approach. On 22 May 2020, the Government announced increased responsibility for upper tier local authorities to lead on this work, including a requirement to publish a Local Outbreak Control Plan by the end of June 2020. It is the responsibility of upper-tier local authorities to prepare these plans, though many agencies are involved in implementing them. The Local Outbreak Control Plan sets out how Cumbria will respond to outbreaks of COVID-19. It describes how the local Test and Trace system works and how this connects to the national system; gives further details of the approach being taken to support schools and care homes; and outlines how the community will be engaged in this work.
The plan can be found on the County Council website at https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/publichealth/covid19outbreakcontrol.asp. While the plan is very much live and being followed by local agencies at the moment, we are keen to develop and improve it further, and to ensure that the public is engaged with it. We have therefore published it as a consultation draft and there is a link online to enable people to comment on the plan.
Yesterday, Public Health England began publishing positive cases from testing in the wider community (also known as pillar 2) at UTLA level in England, adding this data to the daily COVID-19 dashboard.
Although this will not affect the total number of cases in England, it will show an increase in the UTLA figures which have previously only included pillar 1. UTLA level data will also continue to be included as part of PHE's weekly surveillance reports, published every Thursday afternoon on gov.uk.
Dr Andrew Furber, North West Regional Director for Public Health England said:
“Positive cases from testing in the wider community (also known as pillar 2) are now available at local authority level though the PHE daily dashboard. This daily data has already been provided in local epidemiological reports to local authorities’ Directors of Public Health to support the local public health response including outbreak management.
“The number of new cases of coronavirus in the North West is under close, active surveillance. Small fluctuations day by day are to be expected. The higher rates in some NW areas that have been reported are being uncovered as we scale up testing and contact tracing activity across the region. We’re working closely with all local authorities to prepare for and manage any potential local clusters and outbreaks. Our epidemiological analysis will play an important role in identifying clusters and if there is a significant sustained increase in the community.
“As we carefully emerge from lockdown, it is now more important than ever that all residents in the North West continue to follow government advice on social distancing, self-isolation, wearing face coverings, and practicing good hand hygiene. These will all help to reduce spread of COVID-19. If you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste, stay at home and arrange a test immediately.”
|
4 July 2020
|
Social (physical) Distancing: From 4th July, people should either stay 2m apart or ‘1m plus’ – which is one metre plus mitigations. These mitigations will depend on the workplace or setting. For example, on public transport, people must wear a face covering, as it is not always possible to stay 2m apart.
In other spaces, mitigations could include installing screens, making sure people face away from each other, putting up handwashing facilities, minimising the amount of time you spend with people outside your household or bubble, and being outdoors.
For the general public: You can meet in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household) in any location - public or private, indoors or outdoors. You do not always have to meet with the same household - you can meet with different households at different times. However, it remains the case - even inside someone’s home - that you should socially distance from anyone not in your household or bubble. This change also does not affect the support you receive from your carers.
You can also stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household.
|
The Government has set out COVID-19 Secure guidance to help businesses take the measures that are right for them.
Public guidance.
|
|
4 July 2020
|
Tourism: English hotels, holiday apartments, campsites and caravan parks can reopen, providing they adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.
Businesses and Community Services: Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.
Some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen,
|
See here.
|
|
6 July 2020
|
Shielding: From 6 July, the government will be advising that the clinically extremely vulnerable:
- may, if they wish, meet in a group of up to 6 people outdoors, including people from different households, while maintaining strict social distancing
- no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of your household
- in line with the wider guidance for single adult households (either an adult living alone or with dependent children under 18) in the general population, may from this date, if you wish, also form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household. All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance
|
Updated guidance will be published on the 6th July. In the meantime, see here.
|
|
13 July 2020
|
Deadline for self-employed: The self-employment Income Support Scheme currently allows you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £7,500 in total. If you’re eligible and your business has been adversely affected you must make your claim for the first grant on or before 13 July 2020.
|
See here.
|
|
1 August 2020
|
Shielding: Clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield, but support will remain available from NHS volunteers and local councils. People will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments.
They will be able to participate in more activities such as visiting shops and places of worship.
Those who need to work and cannot do so from home will be able to return to work as long as their workplace is COVID secure, adhering to the guidance available.
|
Updated guidance will be published on the 1st August. In the meantime, see here.
|
|
1 August 2020
|
Furlough: From August to October, while employees on furlough will continue to get 80% of their salary, who pays for that will change slightly. The amount the Government pays will be reduced each month, with employers expected to contribute towards furloughed employees' employment costs.
From September 1, the government grant towards the employee wages will be reduced to 70%. From October 1, the government grant will be reduced again to 60%
The scheme is currently due to come to an end on 31 October 2020, as previously announced.
|
More information of furlough arrangements here.
|
The NHS test and trace service:
- ensures that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents
- helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus
People can help in the following ways:
- if you develop symptoms, you must continue to follow the rules to self-isolate with other members of your household and order a test to find out if you have coronavirus
- if you test positive for coronavirus, you must share information promptly about your recent contacts through the NHS test and trace service to help us alert other people who may need to self-isolate
- if you have had close recent contact with someone who has coronavirus, you must self-isolate if the NHS test and trace service advises you to do so
People who are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service, will not be asked to provide any passwords, bank account details or pin numbers.
Read more > NHS test and trace: how it works.
Public asked to leave a name and number with venues to help stop the spread of COVID-19
From tomorrow, people may be asked to leave a name and number with venues, likes bars and restaurants, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The records will help NHS Test and Trace to reach anyone who may at a later date be found to have potentially been in contact with a positive coronavirus case whilst at a particular venue, helping to quickly contact people at risk of the virus and prevent localised outbreaks before they occur.
Read more > https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-asked-to-leave-a-name-and-number-with-venues-to-help-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19.
The Cabinet Office have produced an FAQ document outlining what the public can and can’t do after 4 July.
The document covers the following topics:
- Gatherings, public spaces, and activities
- Vulnerable groups, shielding, 70 year olds and over, and care homes
- Going to work / Closed businesses / Safer spaces
- Workers’ rights
- Public Transport
- Schools and Childcare
- Borders / international visitors
- Devolved administrations
Document > https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-after-4-july
New guidance that that outlines how the public in England should socially distance from the 4 July has also been published.
Guidance > https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing-after-4-july
Members of the public can subscribe to locality specific email updates to receive news and information about how public services and local communities are responding to the coronavirus outbreak, at cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/communities.asp.
@Cumbria Twitter
@CumbriaCC Facebook
|
