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 196.9 per 100,000 people for the period 30th January to 5th February.
As we enter a second month of the national restrictions, I want to reflect how much we have all done since the start of the year.
Once again I want to thank everyone within our community for all you are doing to help keep the numbers of coronavirus cases in Doncaster as low as possible. Our infection rate is now a third lower than it was at the start of 2021. The lockdown, as difficult as it has been, is helping.
The start of large-scale community testing in Doncaster and the roll out of vaccination programme are certainly reasons to be optimistic for the months ahead. However, it is still vital that we follow the basics – stay home if you can and remember Hands, Face, Space.
Our large-scale community testing programme is helping to identify cases in people who ARE NOT displaying coronavirus symptoms, there is also regular testing for groups of key workers who are unable to work from home and we also have a mobile testing unit which can visit key sites in Doncaster.
Currently we have testing sites in Hexthorpe, Stainforth and Conisbrough for people who live and/or work in these areas. Please visit www.doncaster.gov.uk/covidtesting for more information.
Together, let’s keep doing everything we can to make a difference. Let’s Do it for Doncaster.
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
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Covid-19 Vaccinations Update
This week, Anthony Fitzgerald, Director of Strategy & Delivery at Doncaster CCG, has given us an update on how the vaccination programme is going across Doncaster.
He also looks ahead to the plans for the next stage of the programme.
You can see his full video here:
The vaccination programme – the biggest in NHS history – is off to a strong start with more than 13 million people vaccinated and over 1,500 vaccination services set up across the country.
The last invites to those aged 70 and over or on the Shielded Patients List who are yet to be vaccinated have now either been delivered or are due to arrive, meaning vaccines have been offered to everyone in this group whose contact details the NHS has.
We are determined that nobody should be left behind, so if you are aged 70+ or shielding and haven’t had your first dose yet, please come forward now and make an appointment. The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national online booking service www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or you can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.
If a suitable and convenient slot is not available people can also call their GP practice. For more information about the Covid-19 vaccination programme:
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Vaccination Fraud Warning
Coronavirus vaccines are only available via the NHS and the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay. Please remember:
- The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.
- The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
- The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
- The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge. If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Keeping the kids entertained
We know keeping the kids entertained can be difficult at the best of times, so when we're all in national restrictions and staying at home you might be really struggling for ideas.
Well we've pulled together a list of virtual activities for the family this half term whilst the kids take a break from school or home schooling:
Free School Meals this half term
With half term coming up next week, we’re using the Covid Winter Grant to provide almost 12,000 children in Doncaster with food vouchers.
The Covid Winter Grant Scheme has been made available until 31st March to support those most in need of financial assistance as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, where alternative sources of assistance may be unavailable.
Find out more:
Struggling with your mental health? Don’t suffer in silence. We can help!
Struggling with your mental health? Don’t suffer in silence. We can help!
Taster sessions on MS Teams to help with well-being, worry, sleep issues and more.
- COVID-19 and wellbeing – Monday 22 February afternoon
- Sleep and wellbeing – Tuesday 23 February morning
- Relaxation and wellbeing – Thursday 25 February morning
- Mapping out your problem – Monday 1 March afternoon
- Worry and wellbeing – Thursday 4 March morning
Sessions provided by RDaSH’s Doncaster Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Team.
We can also help with anxiety, depression, stress, panic attacks, phobias and much more.
Call us on 01302 565556
Or visit the website to refer yourself for a 1:1 consultation:
Community Testing
Our testing capacity continues to expand across the borough. Alongside asymptomatic centres now open in Hexthorpe, Conisbrough and Stainforth we now have another new testing facility for those with symptoms.
The new walk-through Coronavirus testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments at Chappell Drive East Car Park in Doncaster, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of Coronavirus testing for local communities.
Testing at this site is only available for those with Coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
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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