Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
As you know we are in day 2 of national restrictions for England. This means that:
- We should stay home as much as possible – only leave for specific reasons including education, work and essential shopping
- Schools and universities and colleges remain open
- Outdoor activity is encouraged and you can meet one person from outside your household
- Pubs and restaurants are now closed except for takeaways
- Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues are closed
- No household mixing indoors or in private gardens, unless you are in a support or care bubble
I appreciate that the next four weeks will be challenging for us all but we all need to follow the guidance so we get our infection rate down.
The current infection rate for Doncaster for the 7 days 24-30 October is 531.9 per 100,000 people. This is one of the highest in England and in Yorkshire and the Humber.
This is not good news, but there is some evidence that this rate may be starting to flatten and we may be starting to turn the curve. So I want to thank you for all the efforts that you've made to support us and to help that rate flatten but I do want to ask us all to keep doing what we're doing. Follow the guidance, stay close to home if you can and remember the basics – face, space and hands.
I am writing to people who are clinically extremely vulnerable in our borough on how they can protect themselves during the winter months as well as local businesses, care homes, schools and the voluntary, community and faith sector amongst others to remind them of the restrictions.
The advice as always is if you have symptoms – a new persistent cough, a high temperature, loss or change to your sense of taste or smell – that you get a test and self-isolate. You can leave your home to get a test and return.
We do want to bring the infection rate down and let’s do it for Doncaster.
Finally, as our schools returned this week, I'd like to take this opportunity to praise them and childcare providers across the borough for their work during the pandemic. They have been absolute stalwarts in the face of such difficult situations and they continue to put our children’s safety and education at the forefront of everything they do. Thank you to all for your hard work.
Thank you
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
Watch my latest video update here
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National Restrictions
National restrictions are now in place across England until 2 December to try and help control the spead of Coronavirus.
It's particularly important that we all stick to the guidance here in Doncaster to ensure we lower the rate of infections.
The important things to remember are set out on the graphic below 👇
If you have any more questions about the current restrictions and how they might affect you, we've also put together a comprehensive FAQ list.
 Residents aged 65 and over
If you are over 65 or clinically vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from Coronavirus. You:
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should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others
- are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, but are encouraged to go outside for exercise.
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should continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace
Residents identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)
Those residents who have been identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable should soon receive a letter advising them of government guidance.
You can find out more on the advice, guidance and support available here:
Service Updates
Other than weddings services (Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances according to government guidance) and the Tourist Information Centre, all of our council services will remain open.
This includes:
However, please be aware that some of our services may take a little longer than normal to respond to.
Doncaster's Covid Reality
People from across Doncaster have been sharing their ‘Covid Reality’ with us. We know the last few months have meant different things to everyone, but here's what it's been like for them.
THIS is why we all have to work together to get through this next month of restrictions, and try to get normality back as soon as possible. It’s going to be hard but if we follow the restrictions and get the infection rate down, then a much happier reality will be in reach.
It’s a reminder that we might not all be in the same boat, but we’re all in the middle of the same storm.
Watch our video below and keep an eye on our social media over the next month to see more residents sharing their Covid reality.
Help and support for residents seeking employment
A new online employment hub has now launched in Doncaster which provides a single access point for anyone who is looking for employment, a change of career, to develop their skills or to become self-employed.
The hub can be accessed on www.startindoncaster.com
The employment hub also includes a telephone number, 01302 735554, as another point of access and will signpost people to the relevant support and opportunities. The opening hours for telephone calls on 01302 735554 are between 10am and 1pm weekdays.
Doncaster Social Isolation and Loneliness Alliance
The Social Isolation and Loneliness Alliance (SIA) is a collaboration of partners from the public, voluntary, community and faith sectors who are committed to reducing social isolation and loneliness in Doncaster.
People of all ages can feel lonely and isolated at times, even when surrounded by people. This is a priority issue for the SIA and large sections of the voluntary and public sectors are working to support people of all ages impacted by social isolation and loneliness.
Anyone who needs help or advice or has no other support can ring the SIA Helpline seven days a week Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 6pm on 01302 430322.
Remembrance Sunday
Our usual Remembrance Sunday events at the war memorials across Doncaster will not be taking place this year. However we are sure you’ll join us in supporting the British Legion and their recommendations for the day.
They say:
We are encouraging people across the nations to ensure Remembrance Sunday is still marked appropriately by taking part in remote and socially distanced Remembrance activity, whether that be watching the service on television or pausing for the Two Minute Silence in their home or on their doorsteps.
We ask anyone planning to take a wreath to the memorials to do so in a safe and strictly socially distanced way and to avoid 11am as it is likely to be busier around that time.
The Civic Mayor will attend the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday to lay a wreath and pay his respects on behalf of the people of Doncaster during the day. There will not be a Civic Ceremony as in previous years. We can still remember and show our respect but this year it has to be done differently.
#NeverForget
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COVID app
You can download the NHS COVID-19 app here:
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