Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
Our latest data across all age groups shows our infection rate is 212.6 per 100,000 people for the period 23rd to 29th January.
Our positivity rate is 8.3% which is the lowest it's been in months.
Our numbers continue to fall, and we now have the lowest rates in South Yorkshire, which is of course welcome news but we're not out of the woods just yet.
To drive these rates down even further we need to continue sticking to the Hands, Face, Space rule and stay at home for all but essential reasons.
If you have symptoms, please self isolate and organise to get tested.
We now also have community test centres open in Hexthorpe, Stainforth and Conisbrough for people without symptoms, particularly those who still have to leave home to go to work. Please make use of these centres and take up the offer of testing.
I've asked my colleague Clare Henry, our Public Health Covid Team Manager, to cover my vlog this week and update on community testing locally. You can find out more and watch Clare's video below.
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.
Please stay at home and stay safe.
Let’s continue to do it for Doncaster!
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
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Community Testing Update
Our community testing programmes continues to expand in the borough.
Our Public Health Covid Team Manager Clare Henry has given us another update on how testing is going, and with over 5000 tests done so far, it's starting to make a difference to our figures.
Clare also explains a bit more on how testing will soon be expanded to local businesses.
Business Doncaster will have more information on this.
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Mayor Ros Jones Announces Covid Spring Sprint Plan
This week, Mayor Ros Jones announced her 'Spring Sprint Plan', to help support residents and businesses in Doncaster continue to fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
The 6-point plan details how we'll support people to cope with these difficult times, and follows on from the Mayor's Rapid Response Plan that launched in March 2020.
It includes details of how we'll support the roll-out of vaccinations, rapid testing, financial support payments for people who have to self-isolate, and more.
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Children's Mental Health Week
This week has been Children's Mental Health Week and we wanted to give a HUGE shout out to our little lockdown heroes!
Our children have sacrificed so much over the last year - from school routines to birthday parties to visiting family.
We asked some of them how they are coping with Covid, you can watch the video here:
Children and young people, like everyone else, might be anxious about Coronavirus at the moment - or maybe it isn’t even the biggest worry.
For anyone feeling worried, stressed or overwhelmed, about ANYTHING, no matter how big or small, there’s always someone to talk to.
Digital technology and home schooling
Digital technology has been amazing over the last year in allowing our children and young people continue with their education whilst we’ve all been asked to stay at home.
But we know not every resident has access to a device and we’re working to help change that…
Mayor Ros Jones has highlighted the council’s commitment to supporting young people to stay connected in her recent Spring Sprint Plan, this will include significant investment where it is required to get every child in Doncaster connected. We’re working with schools to ensure that all young people in mainstream education, up to age 19, have access to the technology (and wifi) to be able to access remote home learning.
We’ve identified the number of young people who potentially need support, and we’re working hard to make sure those who cannot afford them get the devices and internet access required to achieve home learning. We are also considering reallocating Council equipment.
We’re also supporting causes like ‘Laptops for Kids’ – a charitable organisation that takes in donations, restores and distributes the used digital devices, allowing children from all backgrounds access to the digital technology and remote learning.
They are here to help in Doncaster, and are looking for two things:
- Donations (of either laptops, tablets, or financial contributions to help with spares and repairs
- Requests for help
#TimeToTalk Day
This week also saw #TimeToTalk day, a chance to reflect on how crucial it is to communicate and the benefits this has for mental health - particularly during these difficult times for us all.
The theme of this year’s day is ‘The Power of Small’ – and we think we have the perfect example.
Have you ever thought about how much your environment impacts your mental health? When you’re surrounded by rubbish, it’s easy to feel down about the world. On the flip-side, when you live in a clean, green and tidy area you can feel so much more positive!
So next time you go for a walk around your neighbourhood (and let's be honest, we're all getting plenty of local walks lately) why not think about picking up a bit of litter if you see it? You’ll feel better for doing such a small gesture, and you’ll make someone else feel happier too.
Social Care Update - Vaccinations
If you're a front-line social care worker who has sent your details to us to be added to the vaccination priority list, you should have received a text explaining how to book your appointment.
Please get in touch so your vaccination can be booked in as soon as possible
For more information, click here:
If you're a front-line children’s social care worker but haven't got in touch with us yet please do!
Send your details to covid.vaccinations@doncaster.gov.uk
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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