Coronavirus (COVID-19): Members Update
Your weekly round up of the latest coronavirus response updates in Cumbria.
In this briefing:
As announced last week, we will be opening our 6 main library buildings in Carlisle, Penrith, Whitehaven, Workington, Kendal and Barrow to the public on Monday 10th August.
Each of the 6 libraries are now keeping the public updated and sharing key messages on their progress for reopening via their social media channels and newsletters.
Key messages for residents this week:
Progress and preparations
This week we are busy preparing the library for reopening, we’re installing hand sanitiser points, signage and more. Keeping everyone safe in the library is our priority.
Don’t forget, we reopen on Monday 10 August. Full details > http://cumbria.gov.uk/libraries.
To support social distancing, each of our libraries may need to limit the number of people in it at any one time. Our staff and signage will be there to guide you.
We will continue to keep you updated with our reopening preparations, sharing more information as we have it. We can’t wait to welcome you back, roll on the 10th August.
Returns and fines
Don’t worry too much about overdue items. We aren’t expecting customers to return them immediately.
Please return them when convenient for you. Fines incurred during our temporary closure will be waived until 31st December.
See our FAQs for more updates > http://cumbria.gov.uk/libraries.
FAQs
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for responses to some of your most asked questions http://cumbria.gov.uk/libraries, including our opening hours, returns and service changes when our 6 main libraries reopen on Monday 10 August.
Other branches
Keeping everyone safe in our libraries, and wider communities, is our priority and we need to balance this with the reopening of libraries across Cumbria. We have focussed our immediate efforts on reopening the county’s 6 main library branches on Monday 10 August. In order to do this safely there has been a lot to prepare and put in place.
To reopen the 6 main library buildings we have sought expert health and safety advice on our building layout, signage, PPE, additional staff training, what service we can and can’t provide, our opening hours, cleaning and more. Coronavirus is still here and we have to put health and safety first.
Once opened our staff will carefully continue to manage the safety of everyone using the library, this means managing the numbers and flow of people using the library. Our teams are looking forward to welcoming people back into libraries and we all care about getting it right.
We are also launching a brand new Select & Collect service to give customers the opportunity to order a selection of books, by phone or email, which they can collect from the entrance of one of the 6 main libraries. This will be available from Tuesday 4 August. This will avoid the need for customers to come into the rest of the building. Our home delivery service for existing housebound customers will also recommence on 4th August.
Online services continue to offer members free 24/7 access to eBooks, audio books, magazines and comics. If you’ve not tried them yet, don’t miss out. Go to https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries/online_resources/booksandreading.asp. There’s something for all ages and interests.
Sadly at this time we are unable to reopen our smaller libraries. More work is required to make them safe environments for our customers, and although this work is underway it is likely to take some time. As this work progresses we will ensure that you are kept informed at all times but the safety of you, our customers, and our staff remains our priority in these difficult times.
Digital services
Our online services continue to offer members free 24/7 access to eBooks, audio books, magazines and comics.
If you’ve not tried them yet, don’t miss out. Go to > https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries/online_resources/booksandreading.asp. There’s something for all ages and interests.
Find our libraries on Facebook:
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The latest COVID-19 status report for Cumbria has been published. The weekly report sets out key statistics relating COVID-19 infections in the county.
This week’s status report can be found at www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread.
This week’s report shows a continuing concerning increase in cases in Carlisle and also new small spike of cases in the Eden area. The increase in Eden follows a long period of very low case numbers in the district.
The total number of positive cases in both areas remains below other areas of concern in the North West, but the rates of infection per 100,000 population are significantly higher than the overall North West and England averages.
Other districts in the county continue to experience very low levels of new infections.
The local multi-agency Health Protection Board is closely monitoring the situation and is proactively contact tracing known cases. Based on information provided by confirmed cases, a general public call was issued for people to get tested who had visited some Carlisle pubs earlier this month. As a result there has been a large increase in the number of people being tested and the data from this testing will become available over the coming days.
Data suggests that the situation in Eden is related to a small number of specific events but work continues to understand and contain the outbreak. Further information and advice will be issued to the public if deemed necessary by the Health Protection Board.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:
“The outbreaks we’re seeing in Carlisle and Eden are putting these areas in the national spotlight, but the situation is significantly different to what is going in other parts of the region and appear to be connected to social events and the night time economy. What is of concern is the fact that infection numbers are increasing, even though the total number of cases remains comparatively low. It is notable that a significant proportion of the new cases in Carlisle and Eden relate to house parties or BBQs where there was mixing between groups from multiple households. I urge people to think carefully before holding these types of gathering.
“We have asked some people in Carlisle who visited certain pubs to get tested, even if not symptomatic, and the response has been fantastic. That data will help hugely in understanding if there has been infection spread, and will guide how we respond to similar situations in future.
“To contain the spread we need people to stick to the basic public health advice – social distancing, hand washing, wear a mask or face covering in enclosed public spaces and self-isolate and get tested if you start showing symptoms.”
Key symptoms of COVID-19 include: persistent cough, high temperature and/or loss of taste or smell.
Director of Public Health statement regarding pubs and COVID-19
Colin Cox said:
“What’s been clear from events this week is how important it is that pubs and other venues have really robust arrangements in place to collect and store contact details for customers and that customers provide accurate information when asked. Public feedback has indicated that there have been differences in the approach taken by different venues and some have been more effective than others.
“Initially this week we took a blanket approach to publically identifying pubs and venues which had been visited by people who were likely to have been infectious. This was no reflection on those venues and we thank them for their cooperation.
“In future, we will only name venues when we do not have sufficient confidence in the contact tracing information that has been collected and believe that a general public message is necessary to ensure all possible contacts are made aware.
“If people are contacted by our contact tracing team, either on the phone or by text message, it is really important that they follow the advice given. This the best way we have to keep this virus in check.”
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Testing update
Key messages for residents:
- Don't forget, holding or attending parties or gatherings where it is difficult to maintain social distancing is not allowed. If you're unsure what you can and cannot do, read the latest from the government which also explains some of the upcoming changes https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
- New coronavirus cases in Carlisle and Eden relate to house parties or BBQs where there was mixing between groups from multiple households. We urge people to think carefully before holding these types of gathering. You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms.
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Pubs and other venues are taking people’s details to help with local contact tracing in the event of local outbreaks. We can all help prevent outbreaks by following the public health guidance. Read more > https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
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Contact tracing in Carlisle this week lead to over 1,000 people going for tests. We’d like to thank venues and the public. If you are contacted by local contact tracers, on the phone or by text message, it's important you follow the advice given to stop the spread.
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You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms. Please continue to follow social distancing, wash your hands regularly and wear face coverings. If you are contacted by contact tracers, please follow their advice - even if you don’t feel unwell.
Reports are now available at cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread and provide an overview of the current COVID-19 situation in Cumbria based on available local and national data.
Latest report - Cumbria COVID-19 situation report 23 July 2020 (PDF)
Further detailed information on COVID-19 in Cumbria is available on the Cumbria Observatory website.
Cumbria has 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 cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread. People have until 31 July to provide their feedback. In the interim the plan is live.
The guidance on social distancing was updated on Friday (17 July) in line with the latest announcements. The coronavirus FAQ outlining what the public can and can’t do was also updated to reflect the latest guidance.
The guidance for the public on meeting people from outside their household has been updated with the latest advice on gathering in larger groups and travelling to meet people.
On 2 July Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick announced a new set of support measures to compensate councils for spending pressures and lost income, including:
- A further £500m of un-ringfenced funding to respond to spending
pressures.
- Changes enabling local authorities to phase tax deficits over three years
rather than the usual one;
- A new scheme to reimburse councils for lost income from sales, fees,
and charges.
Read the full briefing note.
- 24 July - Face coverings will be required in shops, supermarkets and takeaways - in addition to public transport where they are already required. People are also strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in other enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet. Exemptions include anyone under the age of 11, people with breathing difficulties and people living with a disability.
- 25 July - Reopening of indoor gyms, pools and other sports facilities.
- 1 August - The government will update the advice on going to work. The government will give employers more discretion, and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely.
- 1 August – Shielding and the clinically extremely vulnerable will no longer need to follow advice on shielding, though should still take particular care to follow the social distancing guidelines when meeting people.
- 1 August - The government will reopen most remaining leisure settings, namely bowling, skating rinks and casinos, and will enable all close contact services such as beauticians to resume.
- 1 August - Indoor performances to a live audience, including conferences and exhibitions, subject to the success of pilots, can restart and the government will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia, with a view to wider reopening in the Autumn. Wedding receptions for up to 30 people will also be allowed.
- September – The government are suggesting schools, nurseries and colleges will open for all children and young people on a full-time basis. Universities are working to reopen as fully as possible
- October - The government intends to bring back audiences in stadia and to allow conferences and other business events to recommence in covid-secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots.
- November – The government’s ambition is to scale back remaining social distancing measures, but this is contingent on a number of factors, including consideration of the specific challenges as we move into winter.
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
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