Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
Our rate for the 13th to the 19th of March is 121.8 per 100,000. Whilst we expected to see a rise in our figures due to schools re-opening, it's always of concern whenever we start to see an uptick in our Covid rates.
Once again I'd like to emphasise how important it is that everyone sticks to the guidance that is currently in place. I'm incredibly grateful for the sacrifices our children have made over the last year and understand the temptation for them to socialise with friends after school, but every single contact is an added risk and for now we need to limit that risk as much as we can to keep to the roadmap out of restrictions.
Whilst our rise in numbers is primarily being driven by school age children and young people, we're also seeing more cases in 20-29 year olds. We believe this is most likely due to the virus spreading in the workplace, so if you are still going into work, please stick to all the guidance in place.
If you can’t work from home then I would urge you to make sure you are making use of one of the many community testing programmes – either through your employer or via one of our community testing sites in Hexthorpe, Stainforth and Conisbrough. There's more on this further down in the newsletter.
The council is now conducting the contact trace system in its entirety locally so we do also expect infection numbers to rise as we are testing and tracing more people in the borough.
We reach the next stage of the government's roadmap out of restrictions from Monday (29 March). That means:
- Outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed.
- Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.
- The 'stay at home' guidance will be lifted, but we should still stay local as much as we can.
This is welcome news for many of us but for some the route out of lockdown may be a scary prospect, particularly our more vulnerable residents who have been shielding and may well be nervous about going back out. With that in mind, please take some time to check on your loved ones or neighbours who may well be feeling a bit anxious over the next days and weeks.
I've already mentioned that the test and trace programme is now being completely managed at a local level. That means we can now contact people and identifying their contacts within an hour of a confirmed positive test. Our team will also run through some further advice with you and discuss the options for any further support if needed. Our team will call you on the contact number you provided from 01302 734581, if we can't get in touch with you within 24 hours we'll visit your address. Please answer the call from our team if it arrives, it helps us tighten our grip of where the virus is being transmitted and it means we can hopefully stop transmission at the earliest opportunity.
As always I'd like to thank everyone for their efforts in sticking to the guidance, hopefully the sun will shine over the next few weeks as we all enjoy reuniting with friends and family outdoors once again. However please do still remember hands, face, space and stay outdoors - don't drift inside. These basics are really important as we aim to keep rates low and stick to the roadmap.
Let’s Do it for Doncaster.
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
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Living with Covid
This week we've launched a new campaign about the importance of living with covid, sticking to all the guidance in place whatever we're doing, and slowing the spread to ensure our rates stay as low as possible.
Let's keep on doing it for Doncaster!
The return of sport
Lots of athletes – young and old – can safely return to sport and recreation from Monday 29 March and do so in Covid secure environments, after months of being indoors – or training in limited numbers.
Getting active is a great focus for many people and really important for physical and mental wellbeing. Dr Suckling has written to all our local sports clubs – many of whom are looking for new members - to reassure them that we often talk to all national governing bodies to ensure we are providing relevant support and guidance.
Click here to find your nearest sports clubs:
Help reduce Covid transmission at work
As we continue on the roadmap out of lockdown, it's really important that we keep our Covid rates as low as possible.
That means sticking to some really important but easy things when going to work:
- Trying to avoid car sharing on the way to and from work
- Getting tested regularly if you don't have symptoms
- Self-isolating straight away if you show ANY symptoms
- Making sure to stick to all the guidance in place both in and out the workplace
This is how we help make the June 21st plan a reality - let's do it for Doncaster!
Testing: Ask us anything!
Testing - whether with symptoms or regular community testing if we haven't - is a vital tool to help slow the spread of Coronavirus and to keep our figures low.
If you've got any questions on testing you can submit them via social media inbox.
Our testing expert will then answer as many as possible on video. We’ll share their response on our social media page next week and in next week’s newsletter, too.
Vaccinations update
Over 50 or living with a health condition and not had a jab? Come forward now
If you are in an eligible group for the Covid-19 vaccine and you haven’t booked your first dose yet, the time to do so is right now. People eligible for a jab now are:
- Aged 50 or over
- Have a health condition that puts you at risk
- A carer
- A health or social care worker
It’s quick and simple to book at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by phoning 119.
Take a moment to double check the health condition list on the NHS website to see if you are eligible for a jab.
GPs contacting vulnerable patients overdue a vaccination
Local practices are actively calling people who are overdue their first dose vaccination in order to try and encourage as many vulnerable people as possible to have their jabs. If you receive a call from a private number or 01302 area code, it could be your GP calling to book you in. Please answer the call and take the opportunity to protect yourself from Coronavirus.
Local Vaccination Transport Services
Community Transport providers across South Yorkshire are offering free return journeys to Doncaster Covid-19 vaccination sites for people who cannot access public transport and have no alternative. For more information and booking details please visit the Covid-19 transport webpage.
Second dose Covid-19 Vaccinations
For many of those who were vaccinated at the start of the programme, the time will come over the next few weeks to return for a second dose. The process of providing second doses is progressing according to when people received the first dose, which means the top priority groups that received their first dose of the vaccine at the start of the programme will be the first to receive their second dose.
Over the coming weeks this will therefore be mainly people aged 80 and over, and care home residents and staff and NHS frontline workers. People who received their first dose in a hospital hub or through a GP service will be contacted to receive their second dose, if they haven’t already. You do not need to contact the NHS or call or visit your GP surgery.
For more information about second doses please click here.
Text Invitations to book Covid-19 Vaccinations
People who are eligible for a Covid-19 jab may receive a text alert from the national booking service to arrange an appointment. If you receive a text from the sender ‘NHSvaccine’ you can be sure it’s genuine, but always remember the NHS will never ask for payment or your bank details to get the vaccine. 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.
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.
You can get more information and answers to common questions about the vaccine here:
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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How is Covid impacting your life?
We are still running our Doncaster Talks survey to find out how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting YOU.
Please take a few minutes to let us know how you think your experience should shape what we do in the future. Help further shape what we do going forward:
COVID app
You can download the NHS COVID-19 app here:
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