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Wednesday 16 December 2020 (Update #153)
 Cases of COVID-19 infection are increasing rapidly in Havering, across London, and in many parts of Essex. That's why we are now living under Tier 3 restrictions.
Sadly, as our latest weekly report shows, Havering has again recorded the highest infection rate in London. That means real people catching and passing on this terrible virus. It means real doctors and nurses having to treat the people who fall ill. And it means real families, more than 400 so far in this borough alone, who are grieving for loved ones instead of celebrating Christmas with them.
As many of you make plans for Christmas I urge you to be careful.
Think really hard as to whether you think it is a good or safe idea to meet up with your relatives and friends, particularly if any of them are elderly or have any underlying health conditions. If you absolutely need to travel, plan your options in advance and try and travel at quieter times of the day.
Are you absolutely certain that you are not carrying the COVID-19 virus?
A number of studies around the world have shown that a majority of people who have the COVID-19 virus don't realise that they do because they show no symptoms. A study reported in the respected British Medical Journal earlier this year said this percentage could be as high as 78 per cent.
I am pleased that from Monday the Government has agreed our request and will be making coronavirus testing kits available for school staff to be tested before Christmas and again in early January before they return to school.
Kits are also going to be made available for pupils in school years 11,12 and 13 to test themselves before they return to school.
It is vital we identify people who have the virus even though they aren't suffering any of the symptoms of COVID-19. Any secondary school student, teacher or their families can get tested at any of the mobile testing units, please find more information in the local testing article below.
I know it's tough after nine months but please keep doing your bit to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and follow the Government's advice: wash your hands, wear a face covering whenever it is required or appropriate, and keep your space from people who don't live with you.
Lastly, in happier news, I am very pleased that the latest brand new sports and leisure facility in our borough will be opening in January. More on that later in this bulletin.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
 For purposes of clarity dates are only shown for alternate weeks
Every Wednesday Havering Council publishes a report on coronavirus in the borough on its website.
The graph above is taken from the report and shows the number of Havering residents testing positive for coronavirus each week since 6 March. Until 2 July the figures did not include widespread testing in the community.
There were 1,513 cases reported in the last week, 567 more cases than the previous week. This equates to an incidence rate of 583 new cases per 100,000 population which is significantly higher than the London (292/100,000) and England (192/100,000) averages.
All parts of Havering have an infection rate higher than 200/100,000 and in many parts of the borough they are higher than 400/100,000.
As of Monday 14 December, there were 272 patients admitted due to COVID-19 occupying beds in our local BHRUT NHS hospitals. BHRUT also publishes weekly data on the number of patients it is treating.
The new Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre will welcome visitors with an ‘open week’ from Sunday 3 January 2021.
This will give visitors a chance to get a first look at the new multi-million pound sports centre and have the opportunity to try the new facilities and a variety of activities for free.
All activities will be socially distanced and in line with safety measures and COVID-19 restrictions.
Those who wish to attend the open week will need to register their slot online in advance.
Residents will be able to enjoy a 25 metre-long eight-lane swimming pool, and a 20m wide learning and diving pool with movable floor to change the depth.
There will also be a 100-station health and fitness suite, sports hall, and three exercise studios.
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“If you want to see first-hand the reality of a pandemic, come down to my areas and spend half a day with me because then you’ll see.”
Louise Roast, Head of Bereavement and Registration Services at Havering Council, shares an urgent appeal for residents to keep safe.
Do your bit to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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Five Havering libraries – Collier Row, Elm Park, Gidea Park, Harold Wood and South Hornchurch – are being prepared as sites to deliver mass COVID-19 testing as a result of the new Tier 3 restrictions.
These libraries will continue to serve residents who have booked appointments on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 December to “select and collect”, but no appointments will be available after this date. The public computer network is not available to use at these libraries.
Starting Friday 18 December, no appointments at these libraries will be possible and orange sacks cannot be collected from these locations. Please do not try to come to these libraries to return a book, even by posting through the door.
Appointments can still be made for our five larger libraries – Harold Hill, Hornchurch, Rainham, Romford and Upminster – and orange sacks can be collected from them during opening hours. These libraries will be open for six days a week after Christmas for booked “select and collect” appointments.
Library fines are still suspended so don’t worry about needing to return a book on time.
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According to news reports this week, more than 100 million disposable masks are binned in the UK every week.
Research found that nearly 70 per cent of those who wear disposable masks are unaware they are classed as single-use plastic waste, and around one in five wrongly believe disposable masks should go in with other recyclable materials in our orange sacks.
Face mask littering has become a common sight during this coronavirus pandemic, with many people, including residents who have written to us, feeling angry when they see masks littered on the ground.
Some people are reluctant to pick up other people's discarded face masks in case of contamination by the virus.
Please don't drop litter including face masks as, apart from being unsightly, they can also pose a danger to wildlife. Consider using reusable face masks that can be washed and then re-used.
Store used reusable face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them. When you wash them follow the washing instructions for the fabric. You can use your normal detergent. You can wash and dry face coverings with other laundry.
If you do use disposable masks please put them in your black sack waste bag after use. Do not put them in your orange recycling waste sack.
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All secondary school staff, students and families of children who do not think they have coronavirus should now get tested.
Testing will be available at these locations between 9am and 3pm:
Tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday (18 December) at Coopers' Company and Coborn School, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 3HS, and also at Havering Sixth Form College, Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch RM11 3TB.
Another testing centre will be open this Friday, 18 December, at Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD (in front of the Town Hall).
You can walk through these testing sites. There is no need to book. The tests will involve a swab of the nose and throat and results should be available within 48 hours.
These testing sites are run by contractors working for the Government, not Havering Council. The number of tests available each day at each site will be limited and tests will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Alternatively, school staff, pupils and families can apply for a home test by going online. Select the option saying you have been told to get a test by the Council.
While awaiting the results, students, staff and parents will be able to return to their schools and colleges until they receive their results. However, if they develop symptoms in the meantime, they should self-isolate.
Testing if you have COVID-19 symptoms
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, pre-bookable testing sites continue to be available at the rear of the Town Hall, Cherry Tree Lane, Rainham and Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill.
To use these centres book a test online or call 119.
Stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit or a test site appointment.
See our video on what the test involves.
If you receive a positive test result, you must complete a 10-day isolation period. Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are clinically extremely vulnerable. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat.
If your test is negative, you can stop self-isolating as long as you are well.
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Advertisement
 Plan your meals. It’s possible to plan your meals over Christmas. We find it helps to leave a day or two unplanned in case your plans change.
Stick to the list! Avoid the temptation of supermarket deals. If you don’t know when you’ll use it, don’t buy it.
Rethink the big shop. Buying less but more often at Christmas can help you buy only what you actually need.
Plan a leftovers day. Bubble and squeak, a leftovers buffet, turkey sandwiches, or broccoli and stilton soup are just some of the tasty meals you could try.
Freeze it. Bread, milk, cheese, cake and meal leftovers can all be frozen. Or try batch cooking and freezing portions for another day.
We hope these help you prevent food waste this Christmas.
Tonight (Wednesday 16 December) Havering Council's Cabinet (pictured in pre-COVID times) will hold a meeting.
On the agenda is help for homeless people, the Housing Allocation scheme for 2021, and the Housing Revenue Business plan for 2020 - 2050.
You can view the event online via the Council's website.
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 As Havering Council moves towards setting the budget for 2021/22, we are very keen to understand the views of our residents.
A budget consultation paper has been launched to give as many people as possible the opportunity to say how the pandemic has affected them, and how they believe the Council can help and support them in the next financial year.
The COVID outbreak has had huge impact on the country, day to day lives, and the economy. We want to know what you believe are the biggest challenges the Council faces and how we should prioritise our resources to meet those challenges.
Yesterday (Tuesday) was V Day at our local BHRUT NHS Hospitals Trust as they began vaccinating care workers and vulnerable frontline staff.
If you are called to have a COVID-19 vaccination at Queen's Hospital take a look at their short video that shows what you can expect.
Please do not contact the NHS to seek a vaccine. The NHS will contact you.
When the NHS does contact you, please attend your booked appointments and continue to follow all the guidance to control the spread of the virus and save lives.
A range of information about the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that is now being used has been published.
The Government has also published details of the order of priority for people to be offered a COVID-19 vaccination.
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In March everyone in England and Wales will be asked to take part in Census 2021.
Run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Census is a once-in-a-decade snapshot of people and communities.
It gives a picture of communities, which helps to plan and fund public services in your area. Nothing else gives so much detail about the society in which we live, helping to make decisions with the potential to transform lives for the better.
The ONS is now hiring people to carry out the work. Whether you’re saving up for something, or you want to make a difference to your community, a temporary job working for the Census might be just right for you.
The jobs available are being designed to safeguard the health and safety of all candidates and staff, and to reduce any risks caused by COVID-19.
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Social distancing and infection prevention and control precautions have reduced the amount of waiting area space in A&E/Emergency Departments.
Contacting NHS 111 first will help NHS services maintain social distancing and ensure that patients receive the right care, in a timely and safe way.
If you have an urgent but non life-threatening medical need, make sure you use NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E.
If you do need urgent care, then NHS 111 can now book you in to be seen quickly and safely in A&E. NHS 111 is also able to direct patients to, or book an appointment at, Urgent Treatment Centres, GP surgeries, pharmacies, emergency dental services and walk-in clinics.
However, you should still dial 999 if you have a life-threatening illness or injury.
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Becoming Dad is a four-week course with a weekly one-hour session for men who are soon to be dads.
Whether you are a first-time dad or already a parent or carer, Becoming Dad will explore the practical and emotional journey to fatherhood and beyond.
Sign up now by emailing your contact details to Havering Council's Children's Centre or call 01708 432636 for more information.
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Tomorrow, (Thursday 17 December) the London Fire Brigade (LFB) will be carrying out another training exercise at Thomas England House, an old tower block on the Waterloo Estate, Romford, near the Brewery Shopping Centre.
Please don’t be concerned if you see smoke or fire engines on site – they will be simulating a mock fire using smoke machines on the fifth and sixth floors and dummies as casualties to represent a major fire evacuation.
The fire engines will not be using sirens or bells and there will be a LFB Command Unit on site throughout.
Havering Council is proud to be able to support our emergency service colleagues to simulate and train for major incidents and continue to keep us all safe.
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Havering’s Arts Development team are inviting residents and businesses to take part in their Winter Wonderland Window Art Challenge.
Create a winter’s scene in your window and display the Winter Wonderland Logo, that you can download from our website.
You can be as creative as you like, using pens, paints and recycled items.
You could even seek inspiration from the great outdoors by using natural materials such as leaves.
Once your display is ready, email arts@havering.gov.uk for your creation to be part of an online gallery and shared on our social media pages.
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A series of virtual events to mark the start of the festive season have been organised by Havering Council's Events team.
This Saturday, virtual events include face painting, cooking tutorials, Christmas crafts, and song performances.
Join in the celebrations on the Council's Facebook or YouTube channels.
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Merry Christmas from Havering Music School.
Havering Music School is still open for business and is teaching students via Zoom, so no matter your age or ability there is a lesson and an instrument for you.
Email the school for more information and watch their video to enjoy a medley of Christmas hits.
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With no fireworks, events or late-night hospitality, London's tube train network will not run all night on New Year's Eve and will instead operate a normal weekday service.
Londoners who do need to use the public transport network on 31 December are encouraged by Transport for London (TfL) to complete their journeys as early as possible and before midnight.
The TfL bus network will operate a Saturday service, helping those who need to move around London throughout the night to do so.
Tube and rail services that are operating will then restart on the morning of New Year’s Day.
Customers travelling on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are encouraged to check before they travel.
If you can, whenever you may have to use public transport, plan ahead and travel during quiet times.
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