COVID-19 testing in Thurrock continues to play a vital role in helping to slow the spread of coronavirus in the borough, with rates as of Wednesday 17 February down to 127 per 100k from a high over 1500 per 100k at the beginning of the year.  

Workers who can't work from home, including #TeamThurrock, are encouraged to have a weekly COVID-19 PCR test, even if you do not have any symptoms. The benefit of weekly COVID-19 tests is that the test will detect those who are asymptomatic and are unaware that they have the virus, but may be passing it on to others.

Managers will continue to support staff accessing tests and full self-isolation and absence guidance is available on the intranet.

Asymptomatic testing offer to staff

There is now another option for staff who are not able to work from home to get a weekly COVID-19 test. Council staff can drop-in to walk-though test sites at Grays Beach car park and Orsett Heath car park (open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week) for asymptomatic testing. Please bring a valid form of ID such as a passport or driving licence. Please note this is only an option for council staff and not the wider community who will still need to book appointments for these sites online.

You can also get a test by:

• going to the drive-through test at the site in Crown Road, Grays, without needing to book online first – you can drop-in between 9am and 3pm on any day during the week, or at weekends
• booking a drive-through test at the site in Corringham

If you don't have any coronavirus symptoms the government advice is that you don't need to isolate while you await the results of this test, unless you have been told to self-isolate by Test and Trace.

We are particularly encouraging men aged 30 to 59 and women aged 20 to 39 to have a test as current figures show that those in this criteria could benefit from getting tested weekly.

More information on where to get a test if you have coronavirus symptoms can also be found on our COVID-19 webpage.

The winners of the Staff Awards 2020 are due to be announced at a series of award ceremonies during #TeamThurrock's week of celebration next week.

Beginning on Monday 22 February, two ceremonies will take place at 11am and 11.30am each day bringing together Lyn Carpenter, Chief Executive; host Gary Staples, Assistant Director of Transformation; Directors and Councillors to congratulate our finalists and announce the 10 award winners. Once each ceremony has drawn to a close, the winners will be announced on the intranet homepage and Staff Awards 2020 page, so keep an eye out and be sure to congratulate fellow colleagues throughout the week.

A special video will also be shared by Lyn Carpenter, Chief Executive, on Monday 22 February to open the Staff Awards 2020 and highlight the many achievements of #TeamThurrock over the past year. Good luck and well done to all the Staff Awards 2020 finalists for their outstanding contributions over the past year.

We would like to remind staff who have been issued a Lone Working Device to ensure you are charging it and have it turned on whilst you are working.

These devices are designed to aid staff safety and have been handed out to more than 300 members of staff, including teams in adult and children's social care, the environmental health noise service and other council lone workers.

The devices are essential and if you have been given one or share one it is because your job role is deemed to have some risks.

It has integrated GPS and GPRS technology that allows controllers in the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) to accurately pinpoint your location, even if you are outside Thurrock boundaries. The ARC may record conversations that could later be used as evidence if prosecution is needed. If the alarm is activated the ARC can contact the police, if required.

If you have any problems, questions or queries, please contact the Corporate Health & Safety Team via healthandsafety@thurrock.gov.uk

It's half-term this week and although lockdown restrictions are still in place, there's still plenty for children and families to do without leaving their home.

Zoos and animal parks including London Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo, Monkey World, Birdworld and Colchester Zoo have been offering learning resources such as videos, live streams and virtual tours on their website and social media channels.

Nature lovers can go to the National Trust for handy ideas for activities including a downloadable sounds of nature bingo card, or sign up online to Royal Parks for interactive sessions such as live crafting and story-telling.

You can also enjoy virtual tours at the Natural History Museum, Science Museum or Royal Museum Greenwich planetarium show.

Please continue to follow social distancing, particularly in our local parks in Thurrock around other households where possible, and wipe down play equipment before and after your family has used it.

Our libraries in Thurrock have been sharing story times and rhyme times on their Thurrock Libraries YouTube channel and continue to provide a variety of digital services including e-books or e-audio and access to online newspapers and magazines.