Coronavirus Doncaster: Important Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
This is my first weekly update of 2021 - I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year and hope you enjoyed a safe and relaxing Christmas and holiday period.
During this period though, unfortunately our rates of infection across all age groups have risen. Our infection rate was hovering around 220 infections per 100,000 people before Christmas but now we have reached over 300 infections. The last data I have is 330 infections per 100,000 people for the period 26 December – 1 January.
This figure will continue to rise as we see the impacts of household mixing over Christmas but also unfortunately the arrival of the new variant strain in Doncaster.
As we now have a lockdown in place, I would urge you to stay at home and only go out for essential shopping, or work (if you cannot work at home), or exercise. It is critical that we do what we can to reduce the infection rates, particularly with the new more contagious strain around – it is in Doncaster so we need to all do our bit.
As you know changes have also been made to schools and I would like to thank head teachers and all staff who did a lot to prepare for the return to school and are now supporting virtual learning and key workers’ children and our more vulnerable pupils. I’m sure there’ll be more to come on this in due course.
These next few weeks will be difficult and of course it is good news that there are now three vaccines available for use in the UK, with the news today that the Moderna vaccine has been approved for use. Please be patient in waiting for your call from the NHS to get vaccinated. You will be contacted directly so do not call your doctor.
Let’s continue to do it for Doncaster.
Thank you and here’s to a better 2021.
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
Watch my latest video update here
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Vaccination Updates
Vaccinations are underway in Doncaster across all five Primary Group Networks.
Please don’t worry if you have not been invited for a vaccination yet. Your local practice is following the necessary guidance and will be in touch with you when it’s your turn to be vaccinated – please don't contact them.
When it's the right time for you to receive your vaccination, you will receive an invitation to come forward. This may be via the phone, or through a letter either from your local practice or the national booking system.
For more information on the Doncaster vaccination programme:
A big THANK YOU for your patience at this time.
Schools Update - Vulnerable and Key Worker children
Schools and academies across Doncaster have today opened their doors to vulnerable and key worker children to offer face-to-face teaching alongside their remote learning provision.
Schools have worked hard to ensure that anybody who requires a key worker or vulnerable child place has received one, and to make this process transparent to all, Director of Children’s Services Riana Nelson has written an open letter to parents across Doncaster to explain the process.
You can read the full letter here:
Local Assistance Scheme
You could be eligible for things such as supermarket and fuel vouchers through our Local Assistance Scheme
If your application is successful, assistance can be given by providing any of the following:
🛒Food vouchers to purchase food
💡 Energy vouchers that can be used to pay your gas or electricity supplier
🧦Vouchers for clothing including school uniform
🛏️Furniture items and white goods such as cookers, washing machines, beds and bedding to help you remain in the community, or move back into the community after a period in supported or temporary accommodation.
Scam COVID-19 Text Alert
We've been made aware of a fake NHS text that has been circulating, advising people they're eligible for the Covid vaccine.
The vaccine through NHS is a free service, there are no charges and you won't be asked for personal information.
Remember the golden rule! Never click on links in texts or emails.
If you do receive what you think is a suspicious texts message you can report it by forwarding to 7726 - it helps get fake pages down to protect others.
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Sharing is caring
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They may also be interested in signing up to receive these emails (and other updates from us):
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COVID app
You can download the NHS COVID-19 app here:
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