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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:
This week the Hagard Community Centre became the city’s latest COVID-19 community testing site.
The site in Willenhall opened its doors on Tuesday (9 February), it means there are now seven testing centres around the city.
They have all opened since Christmas, and give the city the capability of carrying out over 7,500 tests a day.
A report on the Council’s latest finance position is highlighting the extraordinary costs of COVID-19 and income losses totalling £34.2m resulting from national social distancing and lockdown measures.
This has led to a headline overspend of £33.3m including an overspend in children’s services of £9m as a result of higher looked after children numbers.
The third quarter finance position will be reported at the Council’s Cabinet meeting next week.
Two City Councillors have called on people of all cultures and backgrounds to follow their example and have the COVID-19 vaccination.
Cllr Ram Lakha and Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi, have both had their jabs in recent days after being contacted by the NHS.
They praised staff and said they would recommend that everyone follows medical advice, including members of the city’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
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Coventry will receive £50m to fund 297 all-electric buses that will be on city streets by 2025.
Coventry is one of only two cities selected by Government from the 19 towns and cities that applied to be the UK’s first all-electric bus city – having shown how the scheme could help solve poor air quality. Oxford was also successful.The funding will be secured once a final business case is submitted to and approved by the WMCA on 19 March.
The project aims to improve air quality, lower greenhouse gas, and reduce the costs of running buses. The electric buses will also provide a more comfortable passenger experience which will help to boost the number of people using buses to travel around the city. Highways officers believe it will save around 55 tonnes of Nitrogen Dioxide every year.
The Go Parks: Active Schools Challenge has hit 8,000 entries in just 10 days of launching.
Over 100 schools are taking part and are in competition to win sporting prizes.
With 41 parks across the city - some with multiple QR code banners and posters - the challenge continues to provide a safe, yet fun way for all households in Coventry to get active while adhering to local guidelines.
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Culture Coventry Trust, which manages the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, has secured grant funding of £500,000 from Arts Council England and an additional £100,000 from Coventry City Council to enable them to capitalise on the opportunity of UK City of Culture and create a legacy that changes the national perception of Coventry as a place of significant visual arts programming.
The funding will enable the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum to work collaboratively with national, regional, and local partners and communities to enhance the quality and relevance of their exhibitions - including the delivery of several world-class, blockbuster exhibitions due to take place over the next two-years.
Surveys conducted by Coventry City Council (CCC) and Warwickshire County Council (WCC) following the last period of lockdown and school closures revealed some negative effects on people’s wellbeing.
This includes low mood, increased loneliness, higher alcohol intake and patterns of unhealthy eating amongst residents.
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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.
You can receive free and impartial advice on a range of matters from organisations including:
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