Coronavirus (COVID-19): Members Update
Your weekly round up of the latest coronavirus response updates in Cumbria.
In this briefing:
Next week the library service will launch a new Select & Collect service for its members. Select & Collect will make it possible for library members to order a selection of books by phone or email which they can collect from designated areas in the six main libraries.
The new service will be piloted from Tuesday 4 August from the county’s six main library branches.
The county's main library buildings in Carlisle, Penrith, Whitehaven, Workington, Kendal and Barrow will reopen on Monday 10 August. To protect the health and safety of library staff and customers, libraries will have new Covid-secure measures in place. You can get a glimpse of the added safety measures in a short video we shared on Facebook this week.
Libraries continue to share updates with their customers and members via their social media pages, ebulletins and local press and media. You can watch a video about Select & Collect on Facebook.
Latest key messages for residents:
The latest COVID-19 status report for Cumbria has been published. The weekly report sets out key statistics relating to COVID-19 infections in the county.
It can be found at www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread
This week’s report shows a small increase in the number of cases in the county and has prompted a renewed call for people to continue to be vigilant, and follow social distancing guidelines.
The latest figures also show that Carlisle and Eden have some of the highest testing rates in England.
There are also high levels of contact tracing by the local teams across Cumbria.
While the increase in the number of cases is concerning, it remains well below the levels which have prompted local lockdown measures in Greater Manchester.
The local multi-agency Cumbria Health Protection Board is closely monitoring the situation.
There have been a total of 59 new positive cases confirmed in the county in the last week which is an increase of 12 on the week before.
In the week ending Tuesday August 4, local contact teams have traced 47 cases and identified 114 contacts.
There is no change to the local public health advice.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:
“While this very slight upward trend is not what we want to see, the numbers remain very low.
“We are not seeing the levels that have prompted the tightening of measures we have seen in other parts of the north west, most recently in Greater Manchester.
“We are also seeing increasing activity by our Cumbria teams who are actively contact tracing, and we are pleased to see both Carlisle and Eden as two of the highest areas for the number of tests being carried out in England
“It is also very clear that the virus is still circulating and being passed between local people in the community, so we must not think that the risk has gone away. Only by continued vigilance and following the basic public health guidance will we prevent the number of people being infected growing again. We are urging people living in, and visiting, Cumbria to adhere to social distancing guidelines, wash your hands regularly and to provide good quality contact details to any venues you visit. If you are getting a taxi we would also advise you to wear a mask and wear them in shops and other indoor settings where it is advised.”
The key public health messages remain:
- Wash or sanitise hands regularly
- Observe social distancing rules
- Wear face masks or coverings in enclosed public spaces
- If you have symptoms, self-isolate and get tested
- Follow advice to self-isolate if asked
The guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested, was updated this week to reflect that there is now a single GOV.UK testing service for people who have symptoms and want to get tested.
Guidance
Book a test or order a home testing kit
Local mobile testing site details
Testing is available at Penrith Rugby Club seven days a week.
Testing is also available in Annan and Gretna. Tests can be booked at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/pages/arrange-a-test/
Anyone who tests positive is being asked to contact our COVID-19 call centre on 0800 783 1968.
- 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.
The guidance on what those who live, work or travel in in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, and West Yorkshire can and cannot do has been updated over the last few days.
Sections have been added to confirm that early years childcare providers (including childminders) and holiday childcare providers can remain open, and that children of parents who are separated can move between households while the restrictions are in place.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions on Gatherings) (North of England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 5 August. This instrument makes provision for the purpose of enabling a number of public health measures to be taken to reduce the public health risks posed by the spread of coronavirus in parts of the North of England.
Read the guidance
Read the regulations
Last week (30 July) the Deputy Chief Medical Officer wrote to directors of public health in regard to potential future changes to shielding advice in local areas. The letter reiterates what shielding is and how it is used, alongside the process for reintroducing shielding and where the responsibility for making that decision sits.
Letter: https://bit.ly/2Df0QXz
Shielding guidance
The Cabinet Office has this week published optional badges that can be used to show the carrier may have difficulties or concerns in maintaining social distancing. The badges are available for mobile phones as well as print.
Badges can be found here
The Government recently announced (5 August) that working parents or carers who are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare, but have temporarily fallen below the minimum income requirement as a result of the pandemic, will continue to receive financial support until 31 October 2020.
Critical workers who may exceed the income threshold for the 2020 to 2021 tax year as a result of working more to play a vital role in tackling the coronavirus pandemic will continue to receive support this tax year.
Read the announcement
The guidance for councils on how to use their allocation of the Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies has been updated to include the list of grant allocations to councils.
Guidance can be found here
The guidance on the safe use of places of worship and the separate guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships were both updated this week (4 August) to bring them in line with the Prime Minister’s statement on 31 July.
Marriages and civil partnerships guidance
Safe use of places of worship
The Government is running a #ShopLocal week next week, as part of its #EnjoySummerSafely campaign. The week is to celebrate the British high street – encouraging customers to come back to their safe local shops, supporting the local economy and local jobs.
Local businesses are encouraged to look out for content on the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) social media channels. BEIS will also be watching out for the best digital content from local businesses using #ShopLocal, and will look to amplify it. Councils are invited to share the toolkit with local businesses in their area.
The toolkit can be found here: https://bit.ly/3keif38
Last week, Public Health England (PHE) launched the Better Health campaign to support people to live healthier lives and reduce their risk of serious illness, including COVID-19.
The campaign – unveiled as part of the government’s new Obesity Strategy – encourages adults to introduce changes that will help them work towards a healthier weight, with a suite of free tools and apps supporting people to eat better, drink less alcohol and get active. This includes a new app for the free 12-week NHS Weight Loss Plan, helping people make healthier food choices and learn skills to prevent weight gain.
Announcement
Last week, HMRC launched an online tool for the public to find restaurants that are registered for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. The restaurant finder tool shows results within a 5-mile radius of a postcode.
HMRC have also published a video that provides an overview of the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Watch video here
Restaurant finder tool
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