Update on infection rates
The latest figure for the 7 day infection rate is 142.6 per 100,000 and the positivity rate is 5.9%. We urge everyone to remain vigilant, keep following the public health advice and adhere to the government’s restrictions to keep yourself and others safe.
Thank you to everyone for helping to bring the infection rates down, we ask that you remember to wash your hands, wear a face covering, maintain social distancing, open windows regularly to letting fresh air circulate indoors, and crucially self-isolate if you have a positive test or have contact with someone who has tested positive.
Historic first COVID-19 vaccine in Leeds
This week saw a landmark event for Leeds, as we delivered the first COVID-19 vaccines to people in the city. Leeds Teaching Hospitals was one of the first 50 ‘hospital hub’ sites chosen to take delivery of the Pfizer vaccine and NHS staff from across the city have been providing vaccinations to the priority groups.
Frontline health and social care staff from across the city are among the first to receive the vaccine, along with care home staff and patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospital as an outpatient or being discharged after a hospital stay. The first over 80-year-old to receive the vaccine in Leeds was Sylvia Harris who is also a ward housekeeper at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and is currently shielding at home.
Whilst we’re moving quickly, this will be a marathon, not a sprint. The Pfizer vaccine is safe and highly-effective, but it’s complex to move, store and prepare. That’s why initially it’ll be given in hospitals, before being carefully rolled out to local vaccination services run by GPs, pharmacists and practice nurses, and in people’s homes and care homes.
We all have an important part to play to help deliver the vaccine effectively to those who need it most. The key NHS message is:
- Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine – we’ll contact you;
- Once contacted, please act immediately, and attend your booked appointments;
- Please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and safe lives – hand hygiene, wearing a face covering and social distancing in particular.
The vaccines will be rolled out over the next few months so people still need to take care, follow the guidance and especially at Christmas when households are allowed to mix indoors in Christmas ‘bubbles’.
We all have a part to play in helping ensure everyone can celebrate Christmas safely. The best way to do this is to take care when mixing with people we don't usually live with, and by continuing to take steps to reduce the spread of the virus, including:
- Ensure rooms are well ventilated
- Reduce the amount of time spent indoors
- Wipe down surfaces and contact points frequently
- Wash your hands often
- Keep close contact down to a minimum - e.g. try not to hug people and stick to the two metre rule
- Wear masks when you can
For full guidance on Christmas bubbles, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family
For more information on the vaccine please visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/CovidVaccine
Take Care Leeds
A new Leeds campaign, developed by the NHS, Leeds City Council and community partners, has been launched aimed at the over-60s who have been shown to have a higher risk of developing health complications from Covid. The local campaign, which has been developed with health and social care partners, promotes the main ways people in this age group can keep safe, active and socially connected, while minimising any physical contact with others. Please look out for and share the campaign and you can visit: www.takecareleeds.co.uk for more information.
Happy Hanukkah
Hanukkah Sameach to our residents celebrating the Jewish festival of lights which started yesterday evening, 10th December, and finishes in the evening of the 18th December.
Hanukkah is an important holiday for members of the Jewish community. The holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.
However, due to COVID-19, this year celebrations could be different for some families. Celebrations in-person must be limited to just family members that you live with or those in your support bubble.
We are encouraging families to celebrate Hanukkah virtually with other family members, as Leeds is in tier three restrictions.
For more information about Tier Three (Very High) restrictions, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#very-high-alert
Winter Wellbeing Campaign
MindWell, the mental health website for people in Leeds, has just launched its Winter Wellbeing campaign sharing tips and ideas to help people stay mentally well during the winter season.
We've had to adapt to many changes this year; coping with more uncertainty and less social contact. Now that nights are getting darker and temperatures are dropping, it's even more important that we all take care of our mental wellbeing during this more challenging time.
The campaign will share self-care tips on social media as well as highlighting ways we can cope better with the pressures of Christmas which is likely to be quite different this year.
The MindWell team will also be sharing information about:
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Festive community events including virtual gatherings and activities on Christmas day and other faith festivals for people who are isolated or want to come together to celebrate.
- Opening times for key mental health and crisis services over the Christmas holidays (mid-December).
Follow the campaign on Twitter @MindWellLeeds and find more tips and information at www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/winter. Keep checking back to this web page for the latest information
MindWell is funded by NHS Leeds CCG to provide a 'go to' place for mental health information in the city and supported by public health colleagues.
Funding Leeds
There’s 100’s of local community groups doing amazing work to support residents. If you’re involved in a community group or any kind of third sector organisation and need funding to help you in your work, you can register for free on Funding Leeds: https://www.idoxopen4community.co.uk/lcc
You can use Funding Leeds to make funding searches to tap into local, regional and national funding sources, get updates on available funding and take advantage of useful information and local support to help you achieve your funding aims.
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