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Monday 9 November 2020 (COVID-19 update number 137)
 Thank you to everyone who took a few minutes at home on Remembrance Sunday to reflect on the sacrifice made by so many men and women.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible for our usual parades and services to go ahead but I know that thousands of you have watched our online tribute. See more on this below.
Our most recent weekly report on coronavirus in our borough contains some worrying figures. Havering's infection rate is now above the average across London. You may have also seen mention in BBC London reports that Havering is now one of the top London boroughs for its infection rate.
The latest report from Public Health England today shows that the weekly rate of new cases among people aged 60 plus in Havering (241/100,000) is more than double the London average (114/100,000) and the highest in London.
This is doubly concerning for me as Havering has one of the oldest populations of any borough in London and it is the older age groups who are far more likely to be seriously ill from COVID-19. We have already seen the evidence of this with the number of hospital admissions for patients with COVID-19 reaching 180 as of 3 November and, sadly, recording seven deaths in the borough in the most recent figures for the week ending 23 October, the largest number since 17 May.
This means it’s even more important we all do our bit to reduce the spread of infection in our communities, and particularly to older and vulnerable people. I know many of us are fed up with the COVID-19 restrictions on our normal way of life, but it is absolutely vital, especially now there is a glimmer of hope of an effective vaccine in the near future, that we don't lose control of this pandemic in Havering at this critical time.
If you need help during this lockdown, don't forget that our Havering Helps package of financial support can, among other things, provide cash grants to help with the cost of replacing white goods in your home or heating your home over the winter months.
You can check on any changes to Havering Council's services on our website. There is also an article below about a chnage that we have had to make to our library service.
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
Many people across Havering marked Remembrance Sunday yesterday from home or in small, socially-distanced, wreath laying ceremonies, like the one in Harold Wood (pictured).
The Romford virtual Remembrance Sunday service that we posted online for those paying their respects from home has already been viewed by more than 2,700 people. You can still watch it on our website.
If you have any pictures or video clips from your acts of remembrance yesterday, or have a special message, we can share them on Armistice day (Wednesday 11 November) and publish them on social media channels, our website and YouTube.
Videos, messages and photos can be sent to events@havering.gov.uk.
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Last week the Government published guidance on how you can get informal childcare for children aged 13 or under from friends and family you do not live with.
A childcare bubble is where one household links with one other household to provide informal childcare to a child or children aged 13 or under.
They can provide the childcare in either or both of the homes from the two households.
‘Informal’ childcare means it is unpaid and unregistered. The childcare can be provided where necessary in any location – public or private, indoors or outdoors.
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Havering libraries are now operating as a Click and Collect service.
Books can be selected and reserved by phone or by using the My Library App and collected from libraries.
You can download My Library App from Google Play or the App Store, and step-by-step instructions on how to reserve books through the app can be found on our website.
Libraries are not open for normal browsing of books, but you may return items you currently have on loan. The return dates for books already borrowed have been extended until after the end of the national restrictions period and there will be no fines during this time This means there is no need to make a special trip to a library to return a book over the next four weeks.
Please wear a face covering, unless you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing one, if you do visit our libraries.
Appointments to use computers can also be arranged if it is for essential tasks such as applying for jobs or paying urgent bills.
Orange recycling sacks will remain available to be picked up from libraries.
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Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
This year it begins this Thursday, 12 November, with the main day of celebrations taking place on Saturday 14 November.
If you are celebrating this festival please remember that national lockdown rules apply
As difficult as it may be, please remember the hands, face space rules when meeting any other person outside your home.
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If you have symptoms of COVID-19 request a COVID-19 test.
There is significant testing capacity available at our local sites so do get tested if you have symptoms and book a test online.
Our local COVID-19 test centres are in Romford, South Hornchurch and Harold Hill.
The testing in Romford is delivered by a mobile unit in the rear car park of Havering Town Hall so please do not go into Havering Town Hall or Havering Central Library buildings.
This centre will be open tomorrow (Tuesday 10 November). You can 'drive through' or 'walk through' at this site. Vehicles and pedestrians should enter via Park End Road, Romford RM1 4AU.
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If you, or someone you have come into contact with, tests positive for COVID-19, or you have symptoms of coronavirus, you must self-isolate immediately.
If you have tested positive, the isolation period is 10 days from when the symptoms first started.
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If you haven’t already applied, applications for children eligible for free school meals during the October half-term close at 5pm this Friday, 13 November.
Eligible parents can apply for £15 per week, per child to pay for food via the online application form on our website.
Once the application has been made and processed, the money will be paid into your bank account.
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If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone.
One in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives. Right now, you might be worried about COVID-19 and how it is continuing to affect your life and those around you.
Your worries may be around staying safe at home or avoiding other people during the new national restrictions period.
This may feel difficult or stressful for you. Whatever your worries are, registered charity Havering Mind, can help.
Call them on 01708 457040 or email: reach.us@haveringmind.org.uk
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This week is Flood Action Week.
Don’t assume that flooding will never affect you even if you don't live in the parts of our borough like Rainham and Collier Row where flooding has occurred in recent years.
According to the Environment Agency, the average cost of flooding to a home is around £30,000.
Flooding also brings a significant risk to life and the mental health impacts of flooding can last for several years or more after flooding has happened.
Climate change is already causing more frequent, intense flooding and sea levels to rise, so we all need to know what to do, should the worst happen.
The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to prepare for flooding. Knowing what to do in a flood could help keep you and your family safe, and save you thousands of pounds in damages and disruption.
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There are now just 53 days to go until the end of the transition period following the UK leaving the European Union (EU).
The Government advises that you should take action now if you're:
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The NHS has launched a campaign to highlights that symptoms such as diarrhoea, feeling bloated or discomfort in the tummy area for three weeks or more could be signs of abdominal cancer.
If you have any of these tummy troubles speak to your GP.
While it’s probably nothing serious, any of these symptoms could be an indication of something that needs treatment. If it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable and could save your life.
While the number of urgent cancer referrals is back up to 80 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels, there are some people who may have worrying symptoms who are still not contacting their GP.
In response the NHS has introduced a range of measures, including COVID-19 secure wards and COVID-19 protected cancer surgical hubs, to ensure the safety of patients.
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Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC), in partnership with the Friends of the Secret Blind Garden, have launched a crowdfunding campaign to improve the only outdoor recreational space within Havering dedicated for use by the visually impaired.
The space, in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, has been lovingly tended too for the past four years by dedicated volunteers who have ensured the space has remained open and safe for visitors.
To enhance the enjoyment for those with visual impairment, HVC and the Friends Group want to install large, raised font and braille signage in the garden.
If you can help, please donate online.
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