Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
This week the government has introduced a range of tougher measures in England as the number of Coronavirus cases continues to rise. You can read more about this below.
These measures once again signify a crucial point in our national and local response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Although up to recently we have experienced low infection rates compared to the national average, we are now seeing a significant increase in the numbers which is mirroring the national trend in cases doubling weekly.
Our current rate is over 40 infections per 100,000 people - a stark increase to the single figures that we were seeing just over a month ago. Our case numbers are more comparable with case numbers seen in the region and Doncaster now is in the top third of all infection rates in the country.
Find further information and data on local Coronavirus cases here.
It’s important to note that as well as seeing infections in young people, we are also unfortunately seeing a few infections in people over the age of 65 and this is where the infection is at its most serious.
We have seen a number of cases in school-age children this week. I appreciate it is concerning to our schools and parents but all our schools are managing the situation well. They're doing all they can to keep the children safe and following the guidance. I met with head teachers this week and will remain in regular contact with them in the meantime. I'd like to thank school staff for all that they're doing to work in very trying and difficult circumstances, putting children's education at the front of what they do.
Please do remember if you have a child who is sent home from school who is told to self isolate, it means that they do need to stay at home or in their own garden and they shouldn't have visitors in the house. If your child is not showing symptoms, the rest of the family don't need to self isolate and neither does that child need a test.
I can’t reinforce enough that each and every one of us needs to do everything we possibly can to break these chains of infections, that means self isolating if we have symptoms, booking a test but also keeping up social distance to 2 metres wherever possible when we're out and about. If we all follow the guidance and rules, maintain that distance, wash our hands, wear face coverings, we have a chance of slowing the spread and breaking the chain of infections.
I'm also asking everyone to download the NHS app which is now available, it was launched yesterday and is available to download both at the App Store or Google Play. This forms a key part of the Test and Trace service and provides a quick way of identifying contacts and breaking the chain. You'll be able to use the app to also check or enter into a range of places such as restaurants, cafes and leisure centres and places of worship. This will speed up the effectiveness of our test and trace efforts locally. You can read more about the app below.
I appreciate that this is a very difficult situation for all of us but thank you for everything that you are doing to keep the borough safe. Keep going.
Thank you.
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
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New Restrictions and Guidance
On Tuesday, the government announced further national restrictions which we now need to keep to. These include:
- Hospitality venues will now close at 10pm. In licensed premises, food and drink must be ordered from, and served at, a table.
- Customers in hospitality venues must wear face coverings except when seated at a table to eat or drink.
- Staff in hospitality and retail are also required to wear face coverings.
- Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis now must wear face coverings.
- Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions are restricted to 15 people. Funerals can still go ahead with maximum gatherings of 30 people. All other events still have the ‘Rule of 6’ limits.
- Office workers should work from home wherever possible, but if not, they can continue to go into work as long as it is in a COVID secure environment.
More information on these new changes is available on the link below:
NHS COVID-19 App
The new app is now available to download for free at the Apple App Store or Google Play. It is the fastest way to see if you’re at risk from coronavirus, and the faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.
The app has a number of features which includes alerts to let you know the level of coronavirus risk in your area and help with booking a test and getting the result quickly.
From yesterday, designated venues in certain sectors must have a system in place to request and record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff to help break the chains of transmission of coronavirus. As part of this they will also be legally required to have an official NHS QR poster displayed at their venue, which users of the app will be able to use to ‘check-in’.
Check out all the information about this app:
 Download the app here:
Parent and School COVID FAQs
What happens if there’s a confirmed Coronavirus case in my child’s school?
How do I get a Coronavirus test for my child?
We know there are a lot of questions now that our children are back at school, so we’ve created an FAQ webpage to try and answer as many as possible.
With children back at school, nursery or childminders there’s always the possibility that they can pick up new bugs and illnesses and it can be confusing whether this is a common cold or the Coronavirus.
The FAQs for Parents, Carers and Young People web page is full of useful information. It includes the symptoms of Coronavirus along with advice on when you should get a test and how you can get a test.
There is also information about what happens, and what you need to do, if there is a confirmed case of Coronavirus at your child’s school. Remember that if your child needs to self-isolate it does not mean that you, or people living in the same household, also need to self isolate unless they have symptoms.
The doctor will see you now: GPs are open for business
Doncaster GPs are reassuring patients that if they need to see a doctor, they will be seen.
As Coronavirus hit the nation, doctors across the country were forced to adapt their ways of working to ensure patients and the public were safe and not at risk of catching or spreading the virus.
Throughout the pandemic, local practices in Doncaster have been open with staff working harder than ever to make sure patients still have access to high quality healthcare, with all practices offering telephone triages to identify what support patients need.
So if you need to see a GP or nurse, contact your local practice today - they’ll be able to discuss your issue and if needed, make a virtual, telephone or face to face appointment to see you. For more detail - Doncaster GPs open for business
Council services update
We have a webpage detailing the council services affected or suspended due to Coronavirus:
Sharing is caring
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