Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
Our infection rates across all age groups remain similar to last week - our latest data shows our infection rate is 359.7 per 100,000 people for the period 2nd to 8th January.
This is still a worryingly high figure, so I would once again strongly encourage everyone to stay at home and only go out for essential reasons - shopping, work (if you cannot work at home), or exercise. It’s vital that we do everything we can to reduce the infection rates.
Unfortunately the snow and cold weather meant that some of our Covid testing centres have been closed today (Friday) but if you do have any Covid symptoms please continue to isolate until it is safe for you to go out and get a test. They will be open as usual tomorrow (Saturday).
Our vaccination programme continues in Doncaster despite the weather, although if you have any concerns about getting to your appointment safely please call your GP practice to rearrange. Please only travel if it is safe to do so.
A reminder as well that you will be contacted directly by the NHS to get vaccinated, so please do not call your doctor to find out when yours will be.
I passed my weekly video update duties across to my colleague Clare Henry this week. Clare is our Public Health Covid Team Manager and I asked her to explain more on the vital role regular community testing has to play in helping us to tackle Coronavirus and exactly how it will work for Doncaster. You can read more on this and watch Clare's full update below.
Let’s continue to do it for Doncaster.
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
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Community Testing in Doncaster
As you may have seen in the media this week, our application to roll out community testing in the borough has now been approved by the Government.
This means we can now push on with providing asymptomatic residents with access to regular, rapid testing, in key areas of the borough, identifying more people who are carrying the virus without showing any symptoms.
However, it is important to note that our approach to community testing will differ from what we saw in Liverpool.
In this week's video update our Public Health Covid Team Manager Clare Henry explains exactly how it will work for Doncaster.
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Doncaster Covid-19 Vaccination Programme
All 5 Doncaster Primary Care Networks are vaccinating residents in line with national guidelines.
Immunisations are being given to people in priority groups 1-4 which is those most at high risk should they catch the virus. As vaccination supplies increase, more people from other priority groups will be invited for immunisation in due course.
Local practices in Doncaster are booking eligible patients in for the Covid-19 vaccination and we ask everyone to please wait to be called.
For more information and to read a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions please visit:
What to do in the cold weather
It’s been a cold few days so here are some important updates...
Unfortunately due to the snow and icy conditions some Covid testing centres were closed today (Friday) - but will be OPEN again as usual tomorrow.
Our vaccination sites have remained open, but please only travel if it is safe for you to do so.
If you have any concerns about travelling safely to get your vaccination please don’t worry or make an attempt to go. You can rearrange your appointment by giving your practice a call.
Unfortunately it is still unsafe to collect bins (as of Friday), please keep them at the kerbside and the crews will collect at the earliest opportunity.
A reminder to only travel if it’s CRITICAL. And take care when doing so either in cars or by foot as many surfaces have frozen and are extremely slippery. We have gritted all main routes. For gritters and emergency vehicles to get round, please keep the roads clear.
Please stay at home if at all possible and stay safe!
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) Update
Those identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people should have received a letter this week advising them of the latest government advice.
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should follow resumed shielding guidance and should not attend work, school, college or university. You should limit the time you spend outside the home. You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.
You can still go outside for exercise or to attend health appointments, but try to keep all contact with others outside of your household to a minimum, and avoid busy areas.
If you haven’t done it yet, we’d encourage you to register on the national shielding system. This allows you to:
- Get access to priority supermarket deliveries
- Ask for someone to contact you about any local support that’s available
- Update your details - for example, your address
You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else.
If you’ve already got priority supermarket deliveries, you’ll keep them.
 Alongside our partners, we’re committed to supporting all of the residents of Doncaster, particularly those identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable to ensure no-one is disadvantaged through the pandemic.
We know these are difficult times, so if you feel like you need a little extra support but have no one around to help then please get in touch with us!
You can call our helpline Monday to Friday between 8.30am – 5pm on 01302 430300.
If you are looking for further community support you can find it here:
School Food Packs/Vouchers
Whilst schools are closed to slow the spread of Coronavirus, there has been a lot of coverage in the news recently about families up and down the country who have been receiving food packs for their children which aren’t good enough.
Doncaster Council has been working with all our schools and they have been making decisions on how they can help their families – some have chosen vouchers and others food packs. For those schools which have chosen to give out food packs we have worked with them on what we would expect to be included in the packs.
If you are a parent and don’t feel that the food pack you’ve received is enough, and you’re struggling, then please contact us now so we can help you. Either DM us here and someone in our customer services team will get back to you or call 01302 736000.
The council will continue to fund school meals during February half term for families who need them.
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Information for St Leger Homes residents
There have been some questions on how the current national restrictions might impact the services residents receive from St Leger Homes.
Currently the service provision is unchanged, except for:
- Our Area Office receptions remain closed.
- If you have reported a scheduled repair, due to a small backlog there may be a delay and we may need to contact you to complete the repair in another delivery month. Please be assured we will contact you to let you know if this is the case – there is no need for you to ring us.
- Communal halls/centres remain closed to the public.
The latest Government guidance also allows us to work in tenants homes.
There's more information on St Leger Homes website.
Sharing is caring
Don’t forget to share the messages in this newsletter with people who may not be online, whilst following government guidance on physical distancing.
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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