Key messages
- On Tuesday 14 September, the Government announced and published it’s COVID-19 Response - Autumn and Winter Plan 2021. Vaccinations will remain the first form of defence against COVID-19 and the ‘evergreen’ offer of getting both doses of the vaccination will remain open to everyone who is eligible. People will also be asked to keep up with a number of key behaviours to help manage the spread whilst we continue to learn to live with the virus. These are: - Let fresh air in - Wear face coverings - Get tested and isolate if positive - Stay home when unwell - Wash hands - Utilise the NHS COVID-19 app
- Part B of the plan outlines what will be taken to support and protect the NHS when necessary – this will be based on data which will monitored and reviewed regularly.
- Following clinical advice, the Government has agreed to to end the requirement for shielding guidance for people previously considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable.
- Government confirmed this week that vulnerable people will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine this winter. The programme will be rolled out to care home residents, health and social care workers, people aged over 50, those aged 16-49 years old with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of sever COVID-19, adult carers and adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals (people who have reduced ability to fight infections). People who are eligible for the booster will receive an invitation from local NHS services, there is no need to contact their GP.
- Government has also confirmed that following advice from Chief Medical Officers in the UK, all children aged 12-15 years will be offered a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Community NHS Services will be in touch with parents of children in this age group soon, with details of the offer which is to be delivered through schools. Read more from Gloucestershire CCG.
- Everyone working in, going into a care home regularly for work or volunteering should have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination in time for when the regulations to come into force on 11 November. We will now be focussing on encouraging uptake of their second dose. Read the Government guidance in full.
Testing
In the preceding 30 days of reporting (9 August - 8 September) under our local pillar 2* testing sites 244,045 tests have been undertaken in Gloucestershire residents, 2.93 % of these were positive.
Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) locations⁶
- Car Park off Newerne Street, Lydney, GL15 5RA (Friday and Wednesday-Friday)
- Car Park, Oldends Lane, Stonehouse, GL10 2DG (Friday-Sunday)
- Lower Lode Depot, Lower Lode Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 5TT (Friday-Sunday, Tuesday-Friday)
- Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester, GL7 6JS (Friday-Monday, Wednesday-Friday)
- Cinderford RFC, Dockham Rd, Cinderford GL14 2AQ (Monday-Tuesday)
- Dursley Rugby Club, Hounds Green, Dursley GL11 6AJ (Monday-Tuesday)
- North RFC, Stoke Orchard Road, Bishops Cleeve, GL52 7DG (Tuesday-Wednesday)
- Car Park, Oldends Lane, Stonehouse, GL10 2DG (Friday 24th)
- Stow RFC, Oddington Road, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1JJ (Tuesday)
Permanent Testing Site Locations
PCR Testing Sites
Gloucester RTS
Hempsted Meadows, David Hook Way, Gloucester, GL2 5LE
Cheltenham LTS
High Street Car Park, Cheltenham, GL50 4AL Stroud LTS
Stratford Park Leisure Centre, Stratford Road, Stroud, GL5 4AF
You can book a test here for one of these sites if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Assisted Testing in Pharmacies (LFD)
You can see which pharmacies you can take a rapid test at if you do not have any COVID-19 symptoms here.
LFD Home Test Collection
Anyone can collect LFD kits for use at home from any of the locations listed here including some pharmacies and local libraries.
LFD Home Test Delivery
If you cannot get tested at your workplace or are unable to go to a test site or collect test kits, you can order a test kit to your home here.
Outbreaks
In the last 7 days, there has been 5 confirmed⁷ outbreaks in high risk settings in Gloucestershire.
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