Together We're Better COVID-19 Stakeholder Update

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Logo and Vision

13 April 2021


Together We're Better COVID-19 Stakeholder Update

On Monday 5 April, the government announced that everyone in England, including those without symptoms, will be able to take a free COVID-19 lateral flow test, twice a week from 9 April. Lateral flow tests can provide results in around 30 minutes.

The expanded regular testing offer for people without symptoms will be delivered through:

  • A home ordering service
  • workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home
  • community testing, offered by councils
  • collection at a local test site during specific test collection time windows
  • testing on-site at schools and colleges
  • a new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service

Previously, packs were restricted to anyone who lived with children or staff at nurseries, schools and colleges.

Those preferring a supervised test can still book a test at our community testing centres and touring pop-ups. Full details of all the testing options and how to book can be found at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/testing for Staffordshire and https://www.stoke.gov.uk/bookacovid19test for Stoke-on-Trent.

People with symptoms should self-isolate and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or ring 119.

With many businesses and leisure facilities now open again and new relaxed regulations and additional activities permitted, it is even more important for us all to get tested regularly even if you have no symptoms. We are urging everybody to get tested twice a week and make it part of a regular weekly routine. This way cases can be identified quickly and those people can isolate as soon as possible, preventing larger outbreaks and a spike in COVID-19 cases which could de-rail our path along the roadmap and out of the pandemic.

It has today been announced (Tuesday 13 April) that the government target of offering a COVID-19 vaccine to everyone aged 50 and over by 15 April 2021 has been met. You can find information about whether you are eligible for the vaccine yet, and how to book an appointment, here.

It may now look like the world is turning as normal, but we are still dealing with a pandemic and our road to recovery cannot be rushed or forgotten – every step is crucial to ensuring we don’t end up in lockdown again.

The government’s roadmap is led by four units of measure, one of which is the number of deaths. Our government will continue to keep a close eye on these units before the next step is agreed.  

Don’t give up on our good work now - continue to follow hands, face, space, fresh air, and make sure to take up the option to get tested twice a week which best suits you.

You can read more in the COVID-19 vaccination bulletin including the recent information and changes regarding the AZ/Oxford vaccine and links to blood clots.


Integrated Care System Board

Members of the public are invited to submit questions prior to, and observe live the latest ICS Board meeting, which will take place online from 2-4pm on Thursday, April 15.

Anyone with a relevant question that is directly related to the meeting agenda is asked to send it to togetherwerebetter@staffordshire.gov.uk by midday on Wednesday, April 14.

More information can be found here.


Useful Resources...

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has released a new poster and a film– narrated by GP Dr Hilary Jones MBE – which reminds the public that they must stay outside when meeting others.

Easy read resources:

 

New social media campaign to target false vaccine information:

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched a new social media campaign to tackle false vaccine information online.  A toolkit with content designed to be shared via Whatsapp and Facebook community groups, as well as Twitter, Youtube and Instagram, to tackle false information has also been created.

Further social media materials to support the recently announced ‘roadmap’ for exiting the COVID restrictions have been released, which include:

  • Posters and information about surge testing, workplace testing, details of UK ports of entry and exit, plus information for university students; A range of assets to target key behaviours and to promote the core message 'Hands. Face. Space' can be downloaded from the PHE Campaign Resource Centre. 

 

Campaign materials added to the Campaign Resource Centre:

 

British Sign Language resources:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-british-sign-language-resources

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-vaccination-programme

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-vaccination-programme#leaflets,-posters-and-resources

 

Other COVID-19 resources:

For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the NHS and government websites.