Thursday 2 September 2021
Residents Bulletin
Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are providing regular email updates to let you know about the latest information we have on local and national measures to contain the virus, any changes to local services and support that's available.
If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the page.
Further information is available from www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus
 The Rotherham Show returns to Clifton Park this year (Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September), with a packed programme of entertainment for all ages.
It's a fantastic occasion that was sorely missed by everyone last year due to the pandemic. While we're absolutely thrilled it's back, we're also mindful that Covid has not gone - and infection rates in Rotherham remain stubbornly high.
We're putting measures in place to reduce the risk of infection but we need everyone attending to play their part in delivering a memorable and safe event for all.
And if you haven't had both doses of your Covid vaccine, you can take advantage of the NHS Vaccine Bus, which will be on-site at Clifton Park all weekend. The vaccine is available to over-16s only and no appointment is necessary.
Do your bit
You can do your bit to keep yourself, your family and your community safe by:
- Not attending if you have covid symptoms
- Taking a lateral flow test at home before attending and for a few days following the event, just to be on the safe side.
- Wear a face covering indoors and in busy areas.
- Try to keep your distance from others as much as possible.
- Wash your hands regularly while you're at the show and first thing when you get home.
Making Rotherham Show safer for all:
We're taking extra precautions this year, including:
- Adding an extra day - Friday 3rd September which we expect to be quieter, to cater for people who want to avoid larger crowds.
- Spreading stalls out across the showground rather than along the avenues, opening up the park and creating more spaces for people to relax and enjoy the entertainment.
- Marquees will be open-sided to provide additional ventilation.
- Sanitising stations will be available across the site particularly in high traffic areas such as the food court, stages and seating areas.
- Providing additional entertainment at the newly refurbished Rotherham Civic Theatre and Clifton Park Museum to spread create more space
For more information about what's on and when, visit the Rotherham Show website.
Back to school this September
 Children and young people are returning to school this week with different arrangements in place to stay Covid safe whilst avoiding some of the significant disruption to education experienced by students last term.
Previous restrictions such as class bubbles have been eased to allow pupils to make a full return to sport, music, drama, science experiments and being with their friends.
But schools and colleges are maintaining other measures such as testing, ventilation and extra hygiene precautions that help keep children and staff safe and minimise disruption to face-to-face education.
Secondary schools and colleges are offering two tests on-site at the start of term, followed by continued regular testing at home. Students aged 16 and 17, as well as younger children aged 12-15 in certain eligible groups are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine.
Parents can test regularly at home too. Further information about how to get free asymptomatic test kits to use at home.
And children using school and public transport are being encouraged to wear face coverings when on board to keep themselves and other passengers safe.
We've summarised the key changes for parents and carers:
Download: Guidance for Secondary School parents and carers
Download: Guidance for Primary School parents and carers
Further detailed guidance is available from the Government website.
 The Covid infection rate in Rotherham is remaining stubbornly high, meaning it is now the 25th highest rate in the country.
The infection rate now stands at 421.9 per 100,000 which is well above the national average of 312.9 per 100,000. Both the local and national rate has increased in the last week.
The area of most concern is still within the over 60s age group. Rates of cases in the over 60s is at 295.2 per 100,000, which is reflected in another increase in patients being treated for Covid in Rotherham Hospital this week.
While the success of the vaccination programme means less people are getting seriously ill and dying than they were earlier in the pandemic, vaccination does not provide 100% protection or that you can't spread the virus to loved ones, so even if you have been double-jabbed you are advised to take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your family.
Those who have not had both doses of their vaccine should book and appointment or attend a Grab a Jab session or book an appointment as soon as they can.
On Wednesday 2nd September, there were 71 inpatients in Rotherham Hospital who had tested positive for COVID-19, of which 6 were in critical care.
This is a significant increase from the 59 inpatients last week, with twice as many people now in critical care.
Since the start of the pandemic, Rotherham Hospital has treated 2,957 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
If you are visiting the hospital, please be aware that restrictions are still in place and face coverings still need to be worn.
Further information about visiting the hospital
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have test positive, you must not visit the hospital, your GP or a pharmacy. If you need advice, please call 111 or contact the Rotherham Hub if you need support with collecting prescriptions.
Get support from Rotherham Hub
Further information about COVID-19
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Donate blood - make a difference, save a life
A blood donor session is taking place at New York Stadium in Rotherham on Friday 10th September, with lots of appointment slots still available.
NHS Blood and Transplant consistently needs new and existing donors to sign up and book appointments to give blood in order to meet the demand in hospitals.
Donors from all backgrounds and ethnicities are needed to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it.
It takes around 7-10 minutes to donate a unit of blood, with the whole appointment likely to be within an hour.
By donating blood you can help to save and improve the lives of up to 3 adults or 6 children.
To book an appointment, please visit the national Give Blood website and register for the Rotherham event.
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 The big moment has come for Rotherham Civic Theatre to re-open on Friday 3rd September after being closed for the last 18 months, due to the Covid pandemic and a £325,000 makeover.
On such a big night for Rotherham, it's fitting that the re-opening show stars local singer/songwriter Lauren Housley taking to the stage to perform songs from her new album, Girl from the North – which was written and recorded just five minutes’ walk away from the Theatre.
Improvements to the 60 year-old Theatre include a new coffee shop, a new relocated box office, refurbished reception area, new-look bar and the creation of smaller performance spaces for alternative shows, which will ensure the Theatre can host more events throughout the year.
There will be an opportunity to see behind-the-scenes and enjoy some free entertainment on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September as part of the re-opening weekend, which coincides with the Rotherham Show.
The opening week also sees Rotherham actor, writer, director Danny Mellor in his one man show, Undermined, and a celebration of Rotherham footballer Arthur Wharton’s pioneering rise to fame as the first black professional footballer.
The Autumn season culminates with the annual pantomime, Aladdin, starring Britain's Got Talen finalist Paul Burling.
Visit the Civic Theatre website for further information about the full Autumn programme.
VIDEO: Watch our short film about the refurbishment and re-opening of the Theatre.
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We have launched a fortnightly e-bulletin, the Rotherham Round-Up to keep you up-to-date with what's happening across the borough.
The email includes a wide variety of news, video and events - you can view the latest issue here (sent out on 27th August).
It's free to sign up for the bulletins, which we usually issue on alternate weeks to this Covid update.
Click here to sign up for the Rotherham Round-Up
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