COVID-19 UPDATE: Rates increase across Rotherham - help protect your communities by doing your bit

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Friday 15 October 2021

Resident 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


Protect yourself and your baby by getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

If you’re pregnant, protect you and your baby from getting a serious winter illness by getting both your COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Earlier this week, research published by NHS England showed that 20 per cent of the most critically ill COVID patients in the last few months have been pregnant women who have not been vaccinated.

The COVID-19 vaccination is available for women who are pregnant. If you have any questions about getting the vaccine, talk to your GP or midwife to get advice.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccination is recommended by a number of trusted institutions including the Royal College of Obstetricians, Royal College of Midwives and the UK Tetralogy Service, and the independent JCVI confirms the vaccine has been shown to be effective and safe for women carrying a baby.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccination through the NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group’s booking line by calling 0300 3035258, or go to one of the Drop-In sessions. Further information about these are available on Rotherham CCG’s Facebook page.

And don’t forget, if you are pregnant, you are also eligible for your free flu vaccination through the NHS.

Find out more at nhs.uk/coronavirus.


Rates increase across Rotherham - help protect your communities by doing your bit

The COVID-19 infection rate in Rotherham has increased this week and remains above the national average with 1,375 positive cases notified in Rotherham last week.

The latest 7-day rate is 518.9 per 100,000, which is a significant increase from 441.5 cases per 100,000 on the previous week. The national average currently stands at 376.1 per 100,000.

Over the next few days, we are expecting to see a further increase in the number of cases. The majority of cases are occurring within secondary-aged young people and across the community. We are seeing a lot of households having multiple numbers of cases. It is really important that if you are a contact of someone with COVID-19 that you get tested right away with a PCR test and then even if it is negative, it is helpful to continue to use regular lateral flow tests. This is for your peace of mind and also helps stop the spread of the virus to the wider community.

The current roll out of vaccination for 12-15 year olds through schools should help to reduce high rates in this age group. Parents are encouraged to quickly return consent forms to ensure their child does not miss out on their first chance to get the vaccine, helping protect them and wider family members.

Eligible adults who are now 6 months or more since their second vaccine are now being invited for their booster vaccine which will be offered locally. We are aware that some adults have still not taken up their offer of a vaccine and we would encourage residents to support friends and family to take up this offer and help protect them whilst community rates remain high as we go into winter.

COVID'S NOT GONE YET

Stay at home

Rules around self-isolation after testing positive have not changed. The local Track and Trace team are still hard at work making calls to those who have tested positive. The also do random door knocks to check up on those who are self-isolating if teams are in your area. These are just to make sure you are OK and have the support you need. If a team member does visit you, please do not be alarmed.

If you are self-isolating because you have tested positive for COVID-19, it is important that you do not leave your house. That means:

  • You must not go to work or take your children to school
  • If your child has tested positive, they must not go to school
  • You must not go to the shops or pharmacy
  • You must not go to the gym or leisure centre
  • You must not leave your house to exercise
  • You must not visit family or friends, and they must not come into your home

There are some exceptions to leaving your house and having visitors.

If you or someone in your household has carers, they are allowed to continue their care services, however you should let them know that you have COVID-19. If someone you live with has carers, you may wish to go to another part of the house to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to the care workers.

You can leave your house in case of a medical emergency, such as breaking a bone. You should alert staff that you have tested positive. Call 111 if you need any medical advice while you are self-isolating.

You can also leave your home if you are in danger of harm. If you or someone you know is at risk of harm or domestic violence, you can get help and support from Rotherham Rise Confidential Advice Line by calling 0330 2020571.


Winter Vaccines 2021

Beat seasonal flu this year by getting your flu jab

If you’re over the age of 50, have certain health conditions, or are pregnant, you are eligible for your free flu jab. The flu jab is available at a range of places including:

  • your GP surgery
  • a pharmacy offering the service
  • your midwifery service if you're pregnant

If you’ve had the COVID-19 vaccination, the booster vaccination for COVID-19, or if you’ve had COVID-19, it is safe to have the flu vaccination. Getting the flu vaccination when it is offered to you will help protect you from becoming seriously ill with the flu.

Flu vaccination is important because:

  • more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
  • getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses

If you’ve had your COVID-19 vaccine, you will still need to get your flu jab as the COVID-19 vaccination does not protect you against flu. You need to have both vaccinations to be fully protected this winter. If you haven’t been offered the vaccine by your GP but are eligible, you can book your vaccination online through your local pharmacy. 

If you have children aged between 12 and 17, they will also be able to have their flu vaccination through the school immunisation programme. Ask your school for more details.

Further information about the flu vaccination is available on the NHS website


Rotherham Hospital Update

Rotherham Hospital

On Wednesday 13 October, 29 inpatients in Rotherham Hospital tested positive for COVID-19, with 8 in critical care.

Since the start of the pandemic, Rotherham Hospital has treated 3,201 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and safely discharged a total of 2,397.


Let’s all work together to help schools continue teaching

If you’re a parent or guardian of a pupil in Rotherham, you may shortly be receiving a letter from our Director of Public Health, Ben Anderson, which will give you an update on how we can all support schools.

Headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and auxiliary staff have been doing a fantastic job at keeping our schools running but there are ways we all can help out, including getting tested regularly, self-isolating if we test positive, and getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

You can read the letter here.

The letter will also shortly be available in a range of languages.


World Mental Health Day

Getting out and about safely is beneficial for our physical and mental health.

From taking the dog for a walk, to going for a stroll in the park or meeting up with friends, we can all get moving together again.

We’ve created this new video to show you what a difference going out for a walk can make.

Watch the video here 

Mental Health Day Video

RotherHive is here to help

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, RotherHive provides a range of verified practical mental health and wellbeing information, support and advice for adults in Rotherham.


Volunteer at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in Rotherham

WEUROs volunteers SQUARE

Applications are now open for volunteers to get involved in the UEFA Women’s Euros in Rotherham in 2022.

Volunteers enhance the matchday experience of major events, through providing a different perspective and being able to give a different feel to a normal event day.

At least 50% of volunteer roles for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be spectator services focused, helping to build the crowd atmosphere at stadiums, assisting with the movement of spectators and being on hand to assist visitors with any questions they may have.

A variety of roles are available at New York Stadium and around the town centre working in fan zones and transport hubs.

Volunteers will receive a UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 uniform, food and refreshments.  

Local residents are encouraged to get involved in the tournament and make some unforgettable memories whilst working as a team on one of the biggest sporting events to come to Rotherham.

Find out more

Information on the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 can also be found on the town centre website at www.rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk


Cycle route improvement consultations open

Cycle path

Rotherham Council is asking for feedback on proposals for two schemes to improve provision for cyclists.

Following its recent consultation on the Rotherham Cycling Strategy, and as part of South Yorkshire-wide efforts to improve cycling infrastructure, Rotherham Council is asking for feedback on the proposals for two new schemes.

The schemes will be delivered by Rotherham Council using central government money, subject to approval of funds.

One of the schemes is set to provide a cycle route between Wath town centre and the A633 Manvers Way – with its existing cycle tracks and connections to cycle routes through the Dearne Valley. This will allow direct access between the employment sites and facilities of Manvers and Wath-upon-Dearne.

The other scheme includes improvements on Wellgate, Broom Road and Broom Valley Road to provide better conditions for cyclists, and pedestrians, travelling between the south east of the town and central Rotherham (including its onward rail and bus services).

Details of proposed work for both schemes, along with forms for providing feedback, can be found at www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultations until Sunday 7 November 2021.


Keeping you up-to-date

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