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Dear resident,
We hope you’re keeping safe and well.
This week we are bringing you an update on infection rates, vaccination progress, and information about three new testing sites in the city for anyone who can’t work from home.
An update on Leeds' infection rates
The latest figures for infection rates in Leeds are currently at 107.4 per 100,000, which is a slight increase on last week. The positivity rate remains stable at 4.9%.
Whilst this increase is partly due to outbreaks in two prison settings, it’s important that we all continue to stay at home unless essential, keep our distance from those not in our household, and wear a face covering when required.
The best way to keep yourself and others safe is by acting as though you have the virus.
Asymptomatic testing for anyone who can’t work from home
Around 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms (asymptomatic) and will spread it without realising. Alongside wider testing facilities, we have opened three sites across the city where anyone who can’t work from home can access regular testing. The aim of this testing is to find cases that may otherwise go undetected and therefore reduce the spread of the virus.
The NHS advise that you should have two tests during a week-long period, and should still be tested even if you’ve had your first vaccination dose.
There’s no requirement to book - you can just attend whichever of the three sites is most convenient for you.
The locations of these sites, along with full details of all testing facilities across Leeds, can be found on the NHS Leeds website.
Vaccination update
The vaccination work continues to progress well across Leeds, with approximately 285,000 vaccinations delivered in the city.
The NHS is currently offering the Covid-19 vaccine to people most at risk from the virus. If you fall into any one of the following groups, you may be eligible to book your vaccine through the NHS national booking system (or by calling 119). This is very straight forward and gives you lots of options for venues and times. You don’t need to wait for a letter or to be contacted by your GP.
You may be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You are aged 50 or over
- Or you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
- Or you are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
- Or you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
- Or you have a learning disability
- Or you are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus
Once you enter your NHS number it will let you know whether you are eligible or ask you to self-certify as a carer or frontline health and social care worker. If you are unsure of your NHS number, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/.
If you are not eligible yet, please wait to be contacted. The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine – it’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
More information about the Covid-19 vaccine can be found on the NHS Leeds website.
Having the vaccine during Ramadan
The British Islamic Medical Association have issued specific advice urging Muslims observing Ramadan not to delay getting the vaccine, drawing on analysis from Islamic scholars which says that injections for non-nutritional purposes do not invalidate the fast.
If you’d like to find out more, NHS Leeds are hosting a Facebook live session and Q&A on the importance of having your Covid-19 vaccine when invited during Ramadan. The session will take place live on NHS Leeds’ Facebook page on Thursday 25 March from 6-7pm.
New webpages for friends and families of care home residents
We know that this year has been an incredibly difficult, upsetting and frustrating time for friends and family of people living in care homes because of severely restricted contact. In light of the new government guidance on visiting care homes, we have been working with Healthwatch Leeds, Carers Leeds, the NHS and local care homes to find ways that we can help support with safely welcoming loved ones back into care homes.
As part of this we have set up some webpages for families and friends of care home residents where people can find up to date information about visiting, rights of care home residents, how to raise a concern and where you can get help and support. You can access these webpages on our website.
Business grants
Restart grant
Businesses that were forced to close during the national lockdown will get help to reopen. Restart grants will open for applications in April.
- Non-essential retail businesses will be eligible for between £2,667 and £6,000.
- Hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation businesses will be eligible for between £8,000 and £18,000.
Discretionary grant payment update
We received more applications than expected in February and March. If you are successful and applied in:
- December - you should receive your grant before 30 April.
- February - you should receive your grant before 15 June.
- March - you should receive your grant before 30 June.
More information on support available for businesses can be found on our website.
Join the National Day of Reflection
We’re supporting the National Day of Reflection on 23 March, the first anniversary of the UK lockdown, to commemorate the tragic loss of life over the last year and to stand together with everyone who is grieving.
We’re asking people to tag @leedscouncil on their Instagram stories from 23-25 March with images, videos or words of what lockdown has meant to them. These could then be featured on our Instagram story and may be selected to be part of a video to commemorate the National Day of Reflection for Leeds.
#TogetherLeeds
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