Weekly news round-up

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From Thursday 21 January to Thursday 28 January

Coventry City Council weekly news round-up

During these unprecedented times, we want to keep you up-to-date with the current news and advice.

As a result, this newsletter contains the latest news and messages from Coventry City Council, public health guidance, national advice around the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and information about local community groups and partners who are offering local support.

Remember to keep checking our website for the latest information.

In this issue:


Local news: COVID-19


New COVID testing centre opened at The Alan Higgs Centre

The city’s fourth COVID-19 community testing site opened its doors on Wednesday, 27 January

The new site at The Alan Higgs Centre off Allard Way has the capacity to eventually be the largest in the city carrying out almost 2,000 tests a day.

It joins the three current sites at the Transport Museum in the city centre; the Indian Community Centre in Foleshill; and the Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre in Wood End.

Additional sites at the Xcel Centre in Canley, Centre AT7 in Bell Green and The Hagard Community Centre in Willenhall are set to open over the next few weeks.


Act now to stop the spread

Coventry people are being urged to do all they can to beat COVID as the rate of infection remains stubbornly high in the city.

While national infection rates have fallen during lockdown, the city and the West Midlands has seen a much slower decline in numbers.

In fact, the region has the second highest case rate behind London and could soon be the worst in the country as the capital is seeing a faster fall in numbers.


Funding will help spread COVID safety messages

Coventry has been awarded almost £500,000 to help get COVID safety messages and support to the most at risk and hard-to-reach areas of the city

The grant was announced this week by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

It is part of the Community Champions Fund, which is making £25m of funding available across the country to support people shown to be most at risk from COVID-19, including those from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, refugees and asylum seekers, and disabled people.


Visit NHS.uk for more

NAEC Stoneleigh COVID Vaccination Centre

The NAEC at Stoneleigh opened its doors this week as a COVID vaccination centre.

The NHS and local authorities​ in Coventry and Warwickshire are working in partnership with the NAEC to help deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to thousands of people within a short drive of the city centre. 

See more on the website​, along with some frequently asked questions.


Other local news


Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day 2021

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day this year in Coventry, the Council put together a virtual ceremony. 

The moving ceremony can be watched in full on the Council's YouTube channel.

For more about Holocaust Memorial Day, please visit our website.


Local organisations invited to take part in a dynamic and innovative showcase

Coventry City Council and its strategic partners are inviting regional transport innovators to take part in a yearlong programme of activities designed to showcase the latest developments in transport and technology the city and region has to offer.

The showcase will feature a wide range of activities throughout its run from targeted demonstrations of technology at key locations across our city and region to digital presentations that will be available worldwide. At the heart of the programme will be a dynamic and interactive exhibition that depicts the future of transport innovation and technology in the region.


World-first electric Urban Air Port® secures UK government backing

Urban Air Port® Air-One® has today been selected as a winner of the UK government’s Future Flight Challenge to develop aviation infrastructure and systems that enable the next generation of electric and autonomous air vehicles

Air-One® is a world-first fully-operational hub for future electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – such as cargo drones and air taxis – to be launched in Coventry later this year.


Heritage fund

Exciting plans to transform St Mary’s Guildhall given approval

A £1.4m bid to help transform Coventry’s St Mary’s Guildhall into a major visitor attraction has been given the go ahead by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The decision to approve the bid means that the exciting plans to turn the building into a first-class heritage destination and facility for visitors and residents can now be realised.

 


go parks

Go Parks hosts active challenge for Coventry schools

On 1 February, all Coventry schools are invited to take part in the 'Go Parks: Active Schools Challenge' in partnership with Coventry's School Games organisers.

By using daily exercise to visit local participating parks, families will be able to scan the Go Parks QR code banners and enter, dedicating their daily vote to a school of their choice.

All Coventry residents can enter in the same way too and help their local school try to win the sporty prizes.  Entries close at midnight on 28 February. 

More information can be found on the Go Parks page.


National information


What to do if you feel unwell, or live with someone who is unwell

Stay at home if you have either:

  • A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • A new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
  • Loss or change in sense or smell or taste

You can find more information and advice about COVID-19 on the NHS website. The page is being updated regularly and is the best place to go for the latest health information.

Self-isolation guidance and social distancing guidance is available in other languages.


Further updates from the Government

For latest national updates and wider advice on COVID-19, please visit the Government website


Free local and national advice services


You can receive free and impartial advice on a range of matters from organisations including:


Follow us on social media for the latest updates


Come work with us!

Jobs

View the latest jobs at Coventry City Council 


Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives

Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives

UK City of Culture 2021

Coventry UK City of Culture 2021