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19 January 2021
Are you following the national lockdown restrictions?
 Hounslow and the rest of the country is still under national lockdown restrictions.
The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
You must stay at home. There are exceptions, but please check what the full set of regulations mean for you below.
We all need to act responsibly, think of others and play our part to keep ourselves and the others safe.
It’s also important we all keep doing the basics - wear a face covering, wash your hands regularly and keep a 2m distance from others.
 The COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out to the most vulnerable people now. This will take time, but the NHS is committed to vaccinating all people in the first four priority groups by the middle of February 2021.
Please do not contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine. The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn to have the vaccine.
 Have you received a letter inviting you to book a vaccination appointment? Letters inviting residents to register for an appointment at large vaccination centres have now started to be sent out by the national booking service to people in the first priority groups.
Residents will not be able to book an appointment until they receive this invite letter, which will be sent when it’s your turn for a vaccination.
Some people may receive two invitations for their vaccination. If this happens, please ignore the second invitation or letter and keep the appointment you have already booked. This will ensure no vaccines are wasted.
 Infection rates and deaths from COVID-19 in Hounslow are very high. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 have no symptoms but can still unknowingly infect other people. This means even if you have no COVID-19 symptoms, getting a rapid test can help to stop the virus spreading.
Around 2,500 Hounslow residents have now had a rapid test. Rapid testing is available for anyone over the age of 18, who still needs to go out for work and who needs a quick result and regular testing.
You can book your rapid test at:
- Hounslow House
- Heston Library
- Wellington Day Centre
- Isleworth Library
The sites are dedicated to rapid COVID-19 tests and are therefore not operating their regular services under Government guidelines.
Sites will be open for pre-booked appointments only from 8am-4pm, seven days a week, for approximately six weeks.
Book your rapid test online or by calling 0207 084 9697.
 We are running a short ‘Coronavirus pulse check survey’ and would like your thoughts on the impact of the pandemic on you and your family. It will only take a couple of minutes for you to complete the survey. Your feedback will help us to improve the support we are providing to Hounslow residents.
 We have started vaccinating residents in Hounslow against COVID-19 and we are looking for volunteers to support our Vaccination Centres so that we can vaccinate residents as quickly as possible.
Volunteers will assist with marshalling patients at the Vaccination Centres, organising parking and performing simple tasks including:
- Welcoming people into the Vaccination Centre
- Ensuring that patients respect guidelines regarding social distancing
- Managing the flow of people throughout the building.
- Providing patients with leaflets and written information regarding their vaccination
- Assisting with other non-clinical requests from staff
Volunteering will involve attending a Vaccination Centre and you should be prepared to comply with the usual government guidance including wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. You must not be from a clinically extremely vulnerable group and you must be sufficiently mobile to be on your feet for the duration of your volunteering shift if required.
Volunteers must be aged 18 plus.
A DBS is not required.
- All volunteers will be trained on site by a member of NHS staff.
- Volunteers will receive a lateral flow test to check for symptoms of COVID-19 before their shift.
If you have any questions about this role please email: HOUCCG.communications@nhs.net
 Be alert to vaccine fraud.
The NHS will never ask for payment or your bank details. The NHS will also never arrive unannounced at your door or ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of your personal documents.
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.
Report fraud or identity theft directly to Action Fraud below.
 Hounslow Council's local COVID-19 Contact Tracing team is here to support residents and help to get coronavirus under control. Council staff may call you if you have tested positive for COVID-19. This is to help notify any one who you may have been in contact with and reduce the spread of the virus. Please answer when we call so that we can complete this important work and help keep coronavirus under control. During the call we will also check if you need any support or assistance such as with food shopping, collecting medication or debt advice.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. We're providing support and advice to any resident experiencing domestic abuse and also to people who want to report suspected abuse.
You can get in touch with Hounslow Domestic and Sexual Violence Outreach Service by calling 07810 031 780 or or the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
If you are in immediate danger please call 999.
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