Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
I'm pleased to tell you that, over the last week, we have seen a consistent downward trend in both our case rates and positivity rate in Doncaster.
After an expected increase over the Christmas and New Year period, our current seven day rate for the period 16th-22nd January is 246.9 cases/100,000 - currently the lowest in South Yorkshire.
Our positivity rate stands at 9.7% - meaning 9.7% of people who go for a test with symptoms have a positive Covid test. I would expect both of these numbers to decrease further in the coming days.
While this is really encouraging, the numbers are going down at a fairly slow rate. It is therefore absolutely crucial that we carry on with the basic safety measures - social distancing, wearing face coverings, and washing our hands.
This will hopefully put us in a good position ahead of the Government's first review of lockdown in mid-February.
If you have symptoms, please self-isolate and arrange to get a test. You will also see a number of community test centres including in Hexthorpe, Conisbrough and Stainforth. These are for people without symptoms, and particularly those who still have to leave home to go to work.
I know it's hard to be under these restrictions for such a long time, but it's so important we keep following the rules. Let's do it for Doncaster.
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
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General Vaccination Update
National booking letters for Covid-19 vaccinations continue to be sent to people who are in priority groups 1-4.
When the NHS contacts you or a loved one to get vaccinated, you may be offered a few places to go including local vaccination sites or regional mass vaccination sites and pharmacies which are located in neighbouring towns and cities.
Please remember that this is simply a way for you to access a vaccination quicker and don't worry if you can't get there should it not be suitable. You will be offered other ways to get a jab soon.
Please also be aware of many fraudulent letters, texts and emails which are in circulation claiming to be from the NHS encouraging you to share sensitive information to book a vaccine. The NHS will never ask for details about your bank account or to pay for the vaccine.
If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, this is a scam. If you are suspicious about any activity relating to vaccines please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk where you can report incidents and find out more. Information about the vaccine programme in Doncaster can be found on the NHS Doncaster CCG website.
Social Care Update - Vaccinations
Are you a front-line worker who provides direct care for clinically vulnerable adults and/or children?
If you’re…
- Employed by an individual to provide direct care (e.g privately/ via Direct Payment)
- Employed by an organisation who is not commissioned by the Council but provides direct care to clinically vulnerable adults/children
AND
You provide regular paid care for an adult or child who is classed as clinically vulnerable to COVID-19, then we may need to hear from you!
We need to make sure we’ve got the details of all eligible frontline social care workers on the priority vaccination list.
For people who work with adults, email COVID.Vaccinations@doncaster.gov.uk.
For those who work with children, email CYPSVaccineEnquiries@doncaster.gov.uk
If you work for a provider that is commissioned by Doncaster Council (eg. Domiciliary agency ) YOU DO NOT need to contact us, ask your employer to ensure they have provided your details.
If you provide care informally to somebody clinically vulnerable (i.e. are not paid to do so) or you provide care exclusively to children not classed as clinically vulnerable we don’t need to hear from you just yet, but will be in contact if the national guidance changes.
For more information, click here:
If you have already sent your details to us (either directly or through your employer) you will receive a text message inviting you for a vaccination.
When you receive this message, it's vital that you book in quickly so that we know how many frontline social care workers are still waiting for vaccinations.
 How to find your NHS number
When the time comes, and you get the call to make an appointment for your COVID vaccination, you’ll need your NHS number.
If you don’t know your number already (it’s on prescriptions and letters from your doctor or hospital), it only takes a few minutes to find and will make your vaccination process much easier and quicker all round.
Find it now and get prepared:
Don't call us, we'll call you
If you think you’re due an appointment to receive the Covid vaccination soon but still haven’t received details please DON’T call your GP/the hospital to chase up.
The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). You can read the latest JCVI advice on priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccination on the gov.uk website.
Initially this is:
- patients aged over 80 years of age who are able to safely travel to a vaccination site
- an adult living or working in a care home for the elderly
- Front-line NHS and care staff that are vulnerable
You will be contacted with details inviting you for your jab so please be patient - even if you think you (or a relative) are in one of the priority groups.
Find out more:
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A reminder that our local test centre remain open this weekend.
If you have ANY symptoms, please isolate and book a test immediately.
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Coping with Homeschooling
It was announced this week that schools won’t return until after February half term, and for people who have already been home-schooling for weeks the news might have been hard to take.
If you’re coming to terms with another few weeks of potential stress and priority-juggling, please know that you’re doing a fantastic job.
It may not feel like it, but there are small ways to make the day-to-day feel more manageable.
Life is very hard at the moment, so make sure that you let your friends and family know how you’re #CopingWithCovid.
Our dedicated webpage has some useful tips for homeschooling and keeping your mental health in-check:
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):
Help us share information that matters to YOU!
We want to be able to provide you with important, relevant information for wherever you live in the borough so you're as up to date as possible.
To help us do this, we're asking you to answer a couple of questions by clicking on the link below. This will allow us to send updates on where you live straight to your inbox 👍
COVID app
You can download the NHS COVID-19 app here:
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