Coronavirus (COVID-19): Members Update
Your weekly round up of the latest coronavirus response updates in Cumbria.
In this briefing:
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 that the number of new cases in Cumbria continues to be broadly static, with 56 new cases in the week ending 14 August, compared to 57 cases the previous week.
The county council’s Director of Public Health, Colin Cox is still reminding people to continue to be vigilant and follow social distancing guidelines and good hygiene measures. In particular, people are being advised to wear face coverings in taxis following some concerns about the potential for spread in this setting.
The local multi-agency Cumbria Health Protection Board is continuing to monitor the situation closely.
There is no change to the local public health advice.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:
“It’s positive that we are not seeing any increase in the number of new infections, but we can only keep the numbers low if people continue to follow the guidance. The experience in other parts of the North West shows how easily things could turn.
“This week we are also advising people to start wearing face coverings in taxis. It is not a legal requirement, unlike on public transport, but our local experience of contact tracing has shown that sharing taxis may have been a factor in some examples of infection spread. Wearing a face covering is a simple thing to do that can help reduce the risk of transmission.”
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
Ahead of school’s reopening in September, Cumbria County Council has published information and guidance for parents and pupils about arrangements on school transport to minimise the risk from COVID-19.
The full guidance is available at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/schooltransport
The key messages for pupils and parents are:
- Only use school transport if there is no safe or practical alternative, such as walking or cycling.
- Social distancing will not apply on dedicated school transport.
- Face coverings should be worn wherever possible while travelling, however these will not be provided.
- Hand sanitiser will be provided on board all dedicated school transport vehicles and it should be used by pupils when getting on, and getting off the bus.
- Children should try to sit within their school bubbles on vehicles, but this is not a requirement and will not always be possible.
- Schools may have arranged a seating plan on the vehicle, parents should ensure their child is aware of this, and follows the school instructions.
Children should not travel to school if they:
- Are experiencing any Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.
- Are self-isolating as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or sharing a household, support bubble, or having come into close contact with somebody with symptoms.
- Have been advised by the NHS or local test and trace service to self-isolate.
If parents do not intend to make use of a free or subsidised transport place for their child they should contact school.transport@cumbria.gov.uk providing the name, date of birth and school attended of their child.
A full list of FAQ’s and guidance regarding school transport is available on the council website here.
- 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 furlough scheme will end on 31 October 2020.
- 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.
Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport, and in shops, supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, banks, building societies, post offices, and indoor transport hubs.
On 8 August, additional settings were added to the list, including museums, galleries, cinemas, places of worship, and public libraries.
People are also strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in any other enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet.
You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):
- children under 11
- because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- to communicate with someone who relies on lip reading
- to avoid harm or injury; to identify yourself
- to eat or drink if necessary
You can carry something that says you do not have to wear a face covering for medical reasons. This is a personal choice, and is not necessary in law - you should not routinely be required to produce any written evidence to justify the fact you are not wearing a face covering.
More information is available on gov.uk.
The Emergency Support Helpline will be closing at the end of August. The Support Line was set up primarily to support people who had been asked to shield, and the national shielding programme was paused at the the end of July.
The helpline has been a great support to extremely vulnerable people who were unable to rely on friends, family or neighbours. Up to the end of July, it had received 6,756 calls, 933 emails and 252 online form submissions. Since shielding was paused this has tailed off dramatically in recent weeks as people have been able to organise support in other ways such as home deliveries, with community groups or from new found connections.
Following its closure, the telephone line won't be completely dead - any calls that do come in in the meantime will be answered by the county council's Ways to Welfare service.
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