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Wednesday 13 January 2021 (Update #167)
 Sadly, we have to face more weeks of bad news in terms of hospital admissions and deaths due to this awful coronavirus pandemic before the widespread roll out of vaccines reverses the trend.
Even if our number of new cases per 100,000 people start to come down, and there are some signs of that in our latest weekly report, I am afraid the overall situation is going to get worse before it gets better.
As Professor Anthony Harnden of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said this morning, "vaccination is our way out". I am delighted to see the progress in getting jabs into the arms of Havering residents - but there is a long way to go. We don't yet know if the vaccines prevent people transmitting COVID-19 so even those people who have already received a jab must continue to practice social distancing, hand hygiene, and wearing face coverings.
In 2020 the number of excess deaths in England and Wales, as a proportion of the population, rose by more than 12 per cent compared with the average of the previous five years. Not all of that increase may be directly attributable to COVID-19 but I challenge anyone who still claims that COVID-19 is "just like the flu" or says that "hospitals aren't full" to explain those additional deaths.
Deaths locally have now reached levels not seen since the first wave of the pandemic in April last year. 40 in the the most recent week for which figures are available. These are not just figures, these are real people and my heart goes out to everyone who is grieving at this time.
To reduce this shocking death toll we must all think carefully about our actions over the next few weeks. Is it really necessary you meet someone else to do your daily exercise? Do you have to go with another person when you go shopping for essential supplies? If the answer is no, or probably not, then please don't.
Read later in this newsletter the harrowing account from Rebecca, one of our wonderful Council employees working on our coronavirus hotline, to understand the terrible impact this pandemic is having on so many people. By following the restrictions we can reduce the spread of this faster spreading new variant of COVID-19.
You can also read below about the range of support we have provided for schools and pupils since the pandemic began. This has included cash for parents to buy food for children entitled to free school meals during the October half term and Christmas holidays, and now, during this period of national restrictions, delivery of food parcels to those children doing their school work at home. My grateful thanks to all staff in schools who have gone above and beyond to help children through this pandemic.
Over the last ten months voluntary sector organisations in Havering have also continued to serve our residents through very difficult times. They have done this tirelessly and, in many cases, unnoticed. They have supported tens of thousands of residents many of whom are the most vulnerable. Thank you to all of them from me and all the leadership of Havering Council.
Lastly, today sees the launch of our Be Nice To Your Noggin mental health campaign. Job losses, lockdowns, social isolation and the loss of loved ones, has affected many of us and left us struggling with our mental health. Read more below on our campaign to address those challenges.
Stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
 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 2,896 cases reported in the last week, a welcome fall in the number the previous week. This equates to an incidence rate of 1,116 new cases per 100,000 population which is still higher than the London (1,017/100,000) and England (639/100,000) averages.
Most parts of Havering have an infection rate higher than 800/100,000.
The number of COVID-19 inpatients at our local BHRUT hospitals has been rising steeply since September and have dramatically increased in January. As of 8 January there were 518 inpatients admitted due to COVID-19 occupying beds. BHRUT also publishes weekly data on the number of patients it is treating.
Sadly deaths in the week ending 1 January were the highest since the week ending 19 April in the peak of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Havering Council has teamed up with Havering MIND and other local charities to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
It comes as many residents are dealing with extra stress and anxiety because of the COVID-19 pandemic
Havering Council's Be Nice To Your Noggin campaign provides access to local support to help cope with the thoughts, feelings and issues that many people are facing.
There are local organisations ready to help and provide useful resources on whatever your concern may be, whether you’re struggling to cope with the lockdown, feeling stressed about the impact on your business or your existing mental health has worsened, there is something to help everyone.
Call Havering MIND on 01708 457040, or visit the campaign's webpage to access bereavement counselling, financial advice, self-help webinars, befriending services and more.
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If you, or someone you know, has concerns around care, urgent issues with their health and wellbeing or lack of access to supplies, including food, please call our free to use helpline: 0800 368 5201.
You can also email us if you, or someone you know, needs help.
Rebecca, who recently joined the team providing this support, explains how the service works:
"We are here to support the vulnerable members of our communities and to support the test and trace programme. There is a national team who try to call everyone with a positive test outcome, and those that they can’t reach are then distributed to local councils. These might be complicated or especially vulnerable cases.
"I’ve only been with the team for just over a month, but in that month, I’ve spoken to people who have lost their loved ones in the past 24 to 48 hours, to people who are wracked with guilt, believing that they are responsible for their entire family becoming sick.
"I can hear fear in people’s voices when I’m speaking to the relatives of people with the virus and I feel it in myself. I was born in Havering, I’ve lived here my whole life, and it feels like it physically hurts sometimes when I call people and they tell me that the person I’m calling to speak to, their loved one was rushed to hospital and didn’t make it.
"I would say to Havering residents I know that we are living in really difficult times, and that you are scared and confused, but please just be kind. I know you’re tired of all of this madness at this point. We all are, but we are only doing what we are doing to help you, and to help bring the numbers in Havering down.
"Please, if you receive a call from test and trace, or from the Havering team, take the call if you can. Please keep staying safe, and doing what you can to stop the spread of the virus."
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Pupils who are at home learning remotely can benefit from a package of support being delivered by Havering Council and local schools to help them during the pandemic.
The package aims to ensure that pupils, parents and carers have access to the best provisions to help them during the current lockdown.
They may be eligible to access the following:
- Free school meals to eligible pupils
- Free devices and access to free data to help pupils access online learning
- Exercise classes to help pupils to look after their health and wellbeing while at home
- Online learning resources.
The Government has also announced today (13 January) that from Monday 18 January vouchers will be available through a national voucher scheme. Schools will be in touch with parents who have children eligible for free school meals.
Once families have received their voucher, they will be able to redeem them in store at many food retailers by either:
- presenting the voucher on a smartphone or tablet
- presenting a paper copy of the voucher.
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 COVID-19 vaccinations are free.
The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
They will never ask for bank or card details, PINs or banking passwords.
Please share this information with friends and family who may be at risk, or who are over 80 and expecting to receive a vaccine shortly.
Havering Volunteer Centre has had a great response to its appeal for 200 volunteers to support the safe and smooth running of vaccination sites across the borough. However, a few more volunteers are still needed.
These volunteers will guide elderly residents to the entry point of vaccination centres, remind those attending to keep socially-distanced, and to wear face masks. They will also observe people who have been vaccinated for 15 minutes and help them exit the building safely.
If you think you can help register your details and availability on the Havering Community Hub Havering Volunteer App or contact the Havering Volunteer Centre by calling 01708 922214.
Once you have registered your interest, a vaccination site coordinator will be in touch with you.
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 Testing helps find out who has been infected with COVID-19 and to take the right action to prevent further spread of infection.
It is important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Rapid 30 minute COVID-19 tests are also available for people without symptoms who can’t work from home.
Book twice-weekly rapid tests to help keep everyone safe. You can also walk in without booking, but please be prepared to wait.
On Monday we received an email from a Hornhurch resident who had attended Elm Park library for a rapid COVID-19 test.
He wrote: "I wanted to write to say the team there deserve a huge THANK YOU from me as it was so well organised. The support from the team was superb and the whole operation was, quite frankly, without fault. I cannot thank the team enough. My result came back within an hour and I'm glad to say it is negative."
Click for details of all testing locations and opening hours.
Havering Council has issued two businesses with fines totalling £1,200 after they were found breaking COVID-19 regulations.
The owner of De Quilox Lounge and Bar, Romford was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 after the Council’s Public Protection and Enforcement officers were obstructed when trying to enter the venue.
A fine of £1,000 was given to the owners of the Lefke Restaurant and Bar, Upminster, after they allowed dancing to take place on the premises when it was not allowed under the restrictions at the time of the visits.
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Despite the COVID-19 national restrictions, you should still go to hospital in a serious or life-threatening emergency, or if you feel very unwell.
You should also continue to attend appointments for ongoing treatment, unless you have been told not to.
Otherwise, you should only visit your GP, hospital or other NHS care provider in person if you have been told to do so by a healthcare professional. This helps to keep you safe, keep others safe, and protect the NHS.
For urgent medical advice, the NHS 111 website will tell you when and where to get help, and can arrange for you to be contacted by a nurse if needed.
Only call 111 if you are unable to get help online. In an emergency, dial 999.
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Havering Council has received notice from the Boundary Commission that following receipt of consultations, it proposes to change its plans.
The Boundary Commission recommends new ward boundaries that mean each councillor will represent approximately the same number of voters.
Until 8 March 2021, the Commission will be accepting submissions from the public on the changed draft recommendations.
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Libraries in Havering are now closed.
Fines have been suspended since March 2020 so residents do not need to worry about late fees for books they still have at home.
The library service will continue to deliver to housebound residents during this lockdown.
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If you’re visiting our parks, remember that if your children use any play equipment, they should not put their mouths on it.
Hand sanitiser should be applied before and after they use any climbing frames and swings.
Enclosed play areas like basketball and tennis courts are now closed.
Any exercise you take in parks should be only with members of your own household or social bubble - or with just one person from another household if really necessary.
Please also follow social distancing guidelines when walking on pathways, and use bins for any masks, gloves or empty sanitiser bottles.
If you purchase food or drink from any of the takeaway kiosks or cafes in our parks, please remember to buy your snacks and then walk away to continue your exercise. Please don’t gather around these locations as this makes social distancing impossible.
Try and be respectful of other park users including the pace of some disabled or elderly people, and help keep yourself and others safe while enjoying our parks.
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New rules for importing and exporting goods between Great Britain and countries in the EU now apply.
Whether you’re completing customs declarations yourself or have an intermediary to do it for you, there are guides available on the Government's website to help you do this.
The government has also published a 315 page guide as to how the UK border now operates following the end of the transition period out of the EU's Single Market and Customs Union.
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Need a break from home schooling?
Recycle for Your Community have launched their free virtual classroom timetable that may help make life a little easier at home this lockdown.
Join any of the five different sessions throughout January, there are a range of dates and times available.
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If your child is aged between 3 and 4 years old, they are due to start at an infant or primary school in September 2021.
Applications are open now and will close on Friday,15 January.
If you live in Havering you can apply using our website.
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Tributes will be paid to former councillor and Mayoress of Havering Mrs Eileen Cameron (pictured), following her death on Sunday (10 January).
Mrs Cameron was elected to the Council in 1998 and represented Hacton Ward, as a member of the Residents’ Group, until May 2006.
She also served as Mayoress, alongside her late husband Ivor, between 1996 and 1997.
A minute’s silence will be held at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 20 January.
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Damian White said: “We are all deeply saddened by this news and send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to her family at this tragic time. She will be missed.”
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