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Friday 25 September 2020
 We are at a critical point in the fight against this awful coronavirus pandemic.
In recent days the UK has recorded the highest ever number of daily cases and this morning London was added to the national coronavirus watchlist meaning that the Capital's testing capacity will be boosted.
Our latest weekly report shows that laboratory-confirmed infections have been rising over the summer. Whilst our report shows a small reduction last week, this is an anomaly likely caused by a range of factors, including capacity and priorities for testing, and the greater difficulty that Havering residents have had getting tested. See more on this later in this bulletin.
You are now able to download the NHS COVID-19 app which will help you to protect your loved ones in an efficient and simple way. Details on how to get that app are shown below. If you haven't already downloaded this app, please do so this weekend.
It is clear that we face difficult times ahead but what gives me confidence is the fact that the vast majority of the public are doing their bit and doing the right thing: keeping to the rule of six, practising good hand hygiene, wearing face coverings, and social distancing. See this video for a reminder of what we can all do.
Please only request a coronavirus test if you have symptoms. If you do need a test, isolate until results are known. If you are isolating follow the rules - stay at home and don't have visitors.
See our website for more information on how you can be a part of our #DoingMyBit campaign to help keep us all safe.
If you want to contact me directly, email me. However, please be patient as there may be a delay of a day or two in getting back to you due to the volume of messages I am receiving.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
 The NHS COVID-19 app is now available to download.
It is designed to help you to protect your loved ones in an efficient and simple way.
The app tracks where positive coronavirus cases are and will help you to understand whether you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
It will be mandatory for the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector to ask visitors to 'check-in' via the app and a QR (quick reponse) code, to help them track any possible spreads of COVID-19 more efficiently.
The app is available for download on your relevant app store on your mobile phone.
Information is now available on how to get and use the new tracing app and use QR codes if you have an Android smartphone or iPhone.
Businesses and venues in the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries, including pubs, restaurants, hotels, museums, cinemas, as well as close contact services such as hairdressers, now have a legal obligation to enforce the 'rule of 6', as well as support the new NHS Test and Trace app, which went live yesterday (Thursday 24 September).
Venues must display an official NHS QR code poster, which will allow visitors to 'check-in' and log their details automatically.
Using Bluetooth technology, the app will monitor everyone the user comes into contact with, and if someone tests positive, it will notify everyone that may have been infected.
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Prior to last week, the rate of new cases of coronavirus in Havering, London and England had been increasing rapidly.
Last week bucked this trend, as rates in both Havering and London registered a decrease while the national rate continued to increase.
However, at the same time, there was widespread concern about demand for tests outstripping the capacity of laboratories to process them in a timely fashion.
In response, decisions were taken nationally to redirect a greater proportion of testing capacity to areas in the north of England with the highest incidence rates that were already subject to additional intervention.
It is therefore possible that the apparent reduction in cases within Havering and London reflects the greater difficulty residents have had getting tested rather than a reduction in the incidence of the disease itself.
This interpretation is supported by a survey testing a random sample of people across the country irrespective of whether or not they have symptoms to estimate the proportion of residents who are infected at any point in time.
The most recent report concluded that the there was clear evidence of an increase in the number of people testing positive aged 2 to 11 years, 17 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years. There was also evidence of higher infection rates in London.
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In recent weeks Havering Council has held two online information sessions for parents and carers to address any issues they may have about the return of pupils to school.
The sessions covered evidence for why it’s okay for children to return to school, an overiew of the measures schools have put in place, and practical tips for supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, including reducing and managing any anxiety about going to school.
If you missed those sessions, or have any concerns or questions now that the number of coronavirus cases is rising again, you can view a list of frequently asked questions, and see a recording of one of the online sessions.
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Only request a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms of the virus.
This helps people who have symptoms to get a test when they need it. If you take a test when you have no symptoms you could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it.
We recommend that when someone is unable to book a test, or are offered a location or time which is not convenient, they try again a few hours later or the next day because more tests are made available throughout the day.
COVID-19 testing is available in Romford, South Hornchurch and Harold Hill.
When visiting a site, you must not visit other local amenities – after testing return home and remain in isolation until the result of the test is known. Wear a face covering, maintain social distance - especially when queueing for a test - and do not travel on public transport.
Please remember if you have chosen to get tested at one of our location sites rather than get a home testing kit, you must have booked an appointment on the NHS website or called 119.
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 The flu virus kills thousands in an average year, but this is anything but an average year and the Government is encouraging all eligible people to get vaccinated against flu.
Adults at high risk from flu are also most at risk from COVID-19 and that’s why this year, the free flu vaccine is being offered to a record number of 30 million people to help protect as many as possible from flu and ease pressure on the NHS and urgent care services.
This year the flu vaccine will be offered to people aged 50 to 64 in addition to those over 65 because this is the age that hospitalisations from COVID-19 start to increase.
Ask your pharmacist or GP if you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine.
For most children, the flu vaccine is not usually an injection, just a quick and easy nasal spray. Children aged 2 and 3 receive the vaccine through their GP and those aged 4-11 years old receive it in school. If you have a child who is of the eligible age, make sure you sign the consent form allowing them to have the flu vaccine at school.
 Please do not take any notice of false and misleading information about the coronavirus pandemic posted on social media, or delivered on leaflets like the one shown below.
This leaflet contains a number of factual inaccuracies.
There IS a rise in the number of hospital admissions and the number of deaths related to COVID-19.
As of yesterday, September 24, there were 1,542 patients in hospital in England with COVID-19, and 228 of them were on ventilator beds. Both numbers are much higher than figures typically reported during the summer.
Please work with us to keep everyone in Havering safe and don't spread misinformation.
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From Monday, 28 September, a maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Up to 30 people will still be permitted to attend funerals.
The fine of up to £10,000 for those who fail to self-isolate will also be applied to businesses breaking COVID rules, and, from Monday, employers must not knowingly require or encourage someone who is being required to self-isolate to come to work.
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In many situations a face covering must now be worn. A face covering should:
- cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
- fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
- be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
- be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton
- ideally include at least two layers of fabric
- unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged.
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Remember that wearing a face covering may be a nuisance to you and you may regard it as an invasion of your personal freedom, but it is certainly a lot more comfortable than ending up in hospital on a ventilator where you may need to have tubes pushed down your throat, as illustrated.
If the face covering you are using is single use, dispose of it in a residual waste bin. Do not put it in a recycling bin.
You can make your own face covering.
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The Chair of the Patient Partnership Council at our local hospitals has written to us to highlight a video that has been produced by BHRUT.
The video explains how our local hospitals are being kept safe and adapting to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
Blood testing services – an update
The local NHS is moving community blood testing services that pre-COVID-19 took place in Queen's or King George hospitals, into some GP surgeries and health centres.
Getting these community settings up and running means that patients needing non-urgent blood tests are currently facing lengthy waits and the NHS has apologised for the inconvenience.
They aim to reduce waiting times and add new clinics in the next few weeks.
GPs can still arrange urgent tests for patients who must be seen more quickly, and these patients are currently being seen within a few days. This includes those who need repeat appointments as part of ongoing treatment.
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This week the Government published its reasonable worst case scenario planning assumptions for potential disruption to freight travelling between Great Britain and the EU at the end of the transition period.
The Government's survey indicated that while 78 per cent of businesses have taken steps to prepare for the end of the transition period on 31 December this year, just 24 per cent believe that they are fully ready.
If you run a business that imports from, or exports to, the EU, from 1 January 2021 the process for importing and exporting goods will change, regardless of the outcome of negotiations for a free trade deal between the UK and EU.
Find out what you need to do to continue to import goods from the EU, or to export goods to the EU after 31 December.
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Schools and colleges across Havering are being reminded that they can apply for free sanitary products to help fight period poverty amongst young girls.
The Government-led scheme allows schools and colleges to apply for products and could help girls struggling to afford them.
Many local schools have already adopted the scheme.
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Maximus Training have a contract with the Mayor of London’s office across seven boroughs, including Havering, to encourage the employed and unemployed to improve their skills.
The courses available are particularly relevant if, for example, you are currenty furloughed or working reduced hours.
You can use your spare time productively and improve your skills and knowledge with courses that are fully funded by the Mayor of London and European Social Fund.
All the courses come with a dedicated tutor to teach, support and guide you through.
Some of the most popular courses include the principles of business administration, certificate in customer service, and functional skills in maths or English.
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The Havering Community Hub offers great activities for both children and parents and also, importantly, offers access to online safety tools to ensure children are using digital platforms safely.
Go to the “Explore” section of the site to find out more about what’s on in Havering and the range of online training that is available for people of all ages.
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Four teenagers recently proved that you don't need to jump out of planes, walk the Great Wall of China, or scale Mount Everest to do their bit for a local charity.
They tee'd off to raise money for Havering-atte-Bower based Saint Francis Hospice.
Tom Clements, Jack Carter, Tom Lowe and Max O'Shea love playing golf. They're known as the 'Lost Ball Retrieval Society' after spending many a happy hour looking for stray golf balls in the bushes surrounding Upminster Golf Club.
After playing solidly for 17 hours and completing 72 holes they raised £700 for the hospice's patients.
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North Hill Drive in Romford will be resurfaced with overnight work commencing on Monday 28 September.
During this work North Hill Drive will be closed to traffic in both directions with diversions in place
On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, there will be no service between Earl's Court and Wimbledon on the District line tube service. Use alternative Tube, local or replacement bus services.
When using public transport please try to travel during the quiet times. Many local stations have different quiet times, so check how busy any station is on the TfL network at any time or day.
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