Sharing these newsletters
To share this newsletter on social media sites such as Facebook, please visit our COVID-19 Community Champions website www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/covid-champions where you will find links to this update and previous ones at the bottom of the page. Just copy and paste the link.
COVID-19 Snapshot
 Click here to see and print the full COVID-19 snapshot from 11 Nov.
As of 8.30 on Thursday 12th November there were 46 patients with COVID-19 in the MK University Hospital.
These hospital statistics will be included in the Snapshot from next week.
Ask public health
Do you have a question about COVID-19?
Send us your query to covidchampions@milton-keynes.gov.uk and we’ll put the most popular questions to our new Deputy Director of Public Health in Milton Keynes Dr Oliver Mytton.
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Q: Hi, I'm an essential worker and usually wear a washable mask that has a replacement filter and is touching my face at the sides. However, because I wear glasses, a visor is difficult to protect my eyes. Do glasses protect eyes though sufficiently?
A: The first question is whether you need to wear a visor. Some workers –those who provide close contact services – are advised to wear a visor or goggles as an additional level of protection. This is because of the period of time they spend in close proximity to a person’s face, mouth and nose. These extra precautions protect them and also their clients.
Close contact services include hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers. Just being an essential worker does not mean that you need to wear a visor.
If you should be wearing a visor this needs to cover the face. It should cover the forehead, extend below the chin, and wrap around the side of the face.
Goggles may be used as an alternative to a clear visor. To be worn in place of a clear visor, goggles must be close fitting with no obvious openings or vents that would otherwise allow droplets to enter the eyes. So unfortunately, returning to your question about glasses, glasses would not provide adequate protection.
In addition, visors or googles should be worn with a type II face mask when used to provide protection for close contact services.
It should also be noted that a visor is never an alternative to a face covering. Although the guidance for England does not specifically mention visors/shields, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that they do not qualify as face coverings and can only be worn in addition to a mask, not instead of it. The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland administrations explicitly state that visors/shields are not considered face coverings as they do not provide adequate protection alone.
The Government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services
The advice here refers to non-healthcare settings. There is specific guidance for healthcare settings, and those working in these setting will be given clear guidance by their employer.
NHS advice for sufferers
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19), but you can often ease the symptoms at home until you recover.
Information:
If you're concerned about your symptoms and need medical advice, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service.
You should:
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing - don't try to make yourself too cold.
- Drink more fluids – you should be peeing (approximately) every 6 hours.
- Monitor your pee colour – a pale yellow colour means you're unlikely to be dehydrated, whilst darker pee means you should drink more water.
Read more here.
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Vaccine update
This week there’s been widespread reports of a vaccine that’s more than 90% effective against COVID-19. While there are no guarantees, Government is optimistic and has secured 40 million doses.
Interim advice from Government (subject to final safety tests) is that the following groups are a priority for any vaccination.
- Older adults who live in a care home, and care home workers
- All those 80 years of age and over, and health and social care workers
- All those 75 years of age and over
- All those 70 years of age and over
- All those 65 years of age and over
- High-risk adults under 65 years of age
- Moderate-risk adults under 65 years of age
- All those 60 years of age and over
- All those 55 years of age and over
- All those 50 years of age and over
- Rest of the population (priority to be determined)
While this news is welcome we need to continue to protect ourselves and others by following the lockdown guidance. Find out more here
This week our focus is again on mental health
We all have mental health. Just like our physical health, it goes up and down. Having good mental health can help us feel better, sleep better and support us in doing the things we want to do. It can also help us have more positive relationships with those around us. The coronavirus pandemic, months of lockdown and the continued uncertainty has been tough on us all, and our mental health may have been affected in various ways. We may be feeling lonely, isolated, stressed and anxious during this difficult period, so it’s important we do all we can to look after our mental well-being.
There are many resources available if you or someone you know needs support. Every Mind Matters aims to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others. To learn more about how to look after your mental health and create your own action plan, visit: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ or search Every Mind Matters.
It is important to note that if you are really struggling with your mental health and it is disrupting your everyday life seek professional help and talk to your GP. If you need urgent mental health support you can call the CNWL Crisis Line on 0800 0234650.
Other useful local support services
Milton Keynes Talking therapies Service (IAPT) is a free and confidential NHS service.
They can help you to:
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Handle low mood and depression
- Cope with difficult times
To find out how the team can help or to self-refer go to www.mktalkingtherapies.nhs.uk or Tel: 01908 725099
Kooth – Provides online counselling for young people visit www.kooth.com from any device.
Mind BLMK - Phone and/or email support on Tel: 0300 330 0648 or hq@mind-blmk.org.uk.
Mind Crisis Café - Urgent mental health crisis support via telephone on 01582 722225 Seven days a week 5pm – 11pm.
Samaritans – Telephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
What are you doing to keep mentally well and strong during lockdown?
Please share your thoughts and ideas which may help others.
Please send to CovidChampions@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
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Free PPE is available for a number of public service organisations
The following public service providers shall be provided with PPE until 31 March 2021:
- Local authorities (including children and adult social care workers)
- Mental health community care
- Personal assistants
- Domestic violence refuges
- Rough sleeping services
- All education (and childcare) services
If you are a public service provider and you need new supplies of PPE please contact us for an order form. When you send your completed order back to us we will put a pack together for you and arrange your collection time. For more information and the order form call 07917 473993 or email ppe@milton-keynes.gov.uk. Thank you.
Flu vaccine for children
Flu is a serious illness. Children can suffer from the same symptoms as adults including a high temperature, a nasty cough, sore throat and aching muscles. All children can get ill from flu, some will have to stay in bed for a few days, but others may have more serious effects or end up in hospital.
Find out more about the flu vaccine for children here. Read the Polish or Romanian translations.
Age UK
Age UK in Milton Keynes are working hard to support people.
Their befriending and information and advice services are currently being done over the telephone.
There is a free meal delivery service (which includes a welfare check) for older people with no existing support and/or unable to cook for themselves.
They are also able to support people not able to go out, with emergency shopping/food parcels and prescription collection.
Anyone can make a referral and they should contact the main telephone number 01908 550700. Find out more here.
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Useful links
We are in a national lockdown until Wednesday 2nd December. There is a Government poster with more information, you can view and share it here.
See the latest Government guidance here gov.uk/coronavirus.
Find COVID-19 Information from the NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
To print and share this, please click "view it as a web page" at the top of this bulletin. This will take you to a web page with the option to print this off at the top.
To share this newsletter on social media sites such as Facebook, please visit our COVID-19 Community Champions website www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/covid-champions where you will find links to this update and previous ones at the bottom of the page. Just copy and paste the link.
Your Feedback
Have you found this email useful?
Let us know how we can improve: CovidChampions@Milton-Keynes.gov.uk
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