21 January 2022
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.
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Further information is available from www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus
Rates in Rotherham are slowly decreasing, however, this does not mean that COVID is gone yet. There is still a high number of COVID-19 cases in our communities, and we must continue to what we can to protect our loved ones.
The current rate in Rotherham is 1082.3 cases per 100,000 (7 days data to 15 January 2022). This is a decrease from the previous week but is still higher than all points of the pandemic up to the recent wave of the Omicron variant.
Unfortunately, there have also been 5 COVID-related deaths (within 28 days of a positive test) in Rotherham between 9th-15th January 2022.
We are advising people to continue to take regular lateral flow tests, and take a PCR test if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. If you test positive on either of these tests, stay at home and self-isolate. You can find out more about self-isolation later in this bulletin.
Find out which test you need and where to get them
 Pubs, restaurants, hotels and leisure firms urged to apply
Hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses in Rotherham are now able to apply for the Government’s Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant which could offer them up to £6,000 in support grant.
The grant is to support businesses that offer in-person services that were affected during the Omicron COVID-19 outbreak. This includes cafes, bars, restaurants, boarding houses, hotels and B&Bs, soft play centres or areas, and wedding venues.
It applies to businesses where the main service and activity takes place in fixed rate-paying premises in the hospitality, leisure, and accommodation sectors. The business does need to be the rate payer to apply.
Grants are being offered per premise, and the amount paid is based on the rateable value of each eligible premises. The criteria for which businesses are eligible – and those which are not – has been set by the Government.
To apply, businesses will need to complete an application form and must provide the required evidence by 28 February but are urged to do so as soon as possible to allow time for any issues to resolved. Any unresolved claims outstanding on 1 March 2022 will be closed - as per Government’s guidelines.
For further information and to submit an application, visit the Council's website.
Earlier this week, the Government announced that there will be some easing of restrictions.
From Thursday 27 January, the use of COVID passes at larger venues will become optional with venues taking their own decisions on use. The wearing of face coverings in indoor settings and on public transport continues to be government guidance but will also now be down to venues and to personal choice.
The Director of Public Health for Rotherham, Ben Anderson, is encouraging residents to continue to wear face coverings in indoor settings as COVID rates are still higher than before Plan B came into effect. Face coverings offer protection against transmission of COVID-19, especially in busy indoor areas, so it is advised that people should continue to wear them where possible.
Find out more on the GOV.UK website
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There have been some changes to the guidance around face coverings for children in secondary schools. As you may be aware, from Thursday 20 January, the government no longer recommends the wearing of face coverings in classrooms and teaching spaces for staff and pupils in year 7 and above. From Thursday 27 January, face coverings will no longer be recommended in communal areas for staff and pupils in year 7 and above.
However, the Director of Public Health for Rotherham is still recommending that schools and pupils should continue to wear their face coverings in communal areas as the rates in Rotherham are still high. If there are outbreaks of COVID-19 in a school, staff and pupils may be asked to wear face coverings in classrooms as a preventative measure.
If you have any questions about face coverings in schools, please ask your school directly or talk to a teacher.
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If you’ve not been able to get a booster or missed your second dose because you’ve had COVID, you can still get your vaccination.
Sessions are being held regularly across the borough, including at Oak House in Bramley, Rotherham Hospital, and at Rotherham United’s New York Stadium.
Already the majority of people across Rotherham have had their COVID-19 vaccinations and booster, so make sure you are fully protected from getting seriously ill with COVID.
Keep up to date with the latest vaccination information by following the Rotherham CCG Facebook page.
 Second doses for children aged 12-15 years old
Children over the age of 12 years of age are now being invited to get their second dose of the vaccination.
The School Immunisation Team is working with schools to give first and second doses to pupils at schools so if your school is hosting a vaccination session, please return all consent forms as soon as possible.
You can also book your child’s second dose through the National Booking service. Please remember that to book your child’s second dose, they must have had their first dose 91 days or more ago.
If your child is waiting for their first dose or missed their appointment at school due to illness, you can also book their appointment online. You may have to wait 12 weeks if they have had a recent COVID-19 infection.
Further information about vaccinations is available on the Your Health Rotherham website
Book your child’s first or second dose here
As of 8am on Wednesday 19 January, 107 inpatients in Rotherham Hospital tested positive for COVID-19, of which 3 were in critical care. This brings the total number of inpatients who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic to 3,931. A total of 2,931 patients have been safely discharged to their usual place of residence.
There are currently restrictions in place for visiting the hospital. Visiting for adult inpatient wards is currently suspended, although there are exemptions.
Full information is available on the Rotherham Hospital website
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If you test positive for COVID-19 on either a lateral flow or PCR test, you must self-isolate. If you do not self-isolate, you could be fined.
You must self-isolate for 10 days, however you may be able to leave self-isolation earlier in certain circumstances.
You may be able to end self-isolation after 5 full days, following 2 negative lateral flow tests taken 24 hours apart. The first LFT should not be taken before the fifth day.
Tests can be repeated during the 10 day isolation period to obtain 2 consecutive negative results so you can stop self-isolating.
You must only leave self-isolation if both negative and you do not have a temperature.
Further information is available at GOV.UK
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We send out a free 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 last issue here (issued on 21 January).
It's free to sign up for the bulletins, which we usually issue on alternate weeks to this COVID update.
Click here if you want to receive the Rotherham Round-Up direct to your inbox.
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