 Know the symptoms of Strep A
Group A streptococcus, also known as Strep A, is a common bacteria. Many people carry it in their throats and on their skin but it doesn’t always result in illness. However, Strep A does cause a number of infections including scarlet fever, some mild and some more serious.
It can also cause a rare, more serious infection called invasive group A strep (iGAS). This occurs when Strep A bacteria get into parts of the body such as the lungs or bloodstream, where they cause serious disease. iGAS is a form of sepsis and you should take immediate action by calling 999 if your child shows any of the symptoms listed under the ‘Call 999 or go to A&E’ section below.
Signs of scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is an illness that mainly affects children and usually follows a sore throat or a skin infection, such as impetigo, caused by particular strains of streptococcus bacteria.
Scarlet fever symptoms include:
- A sore throat
- A headache
- a high temperature (38.3C or above), flushed cheeks and a swollen tongue
- a fine, pinkish or red body rash which feels like sandpaper
- An itchy rash that starts on the chest and stomach before spreading to other areas of the body such as the ears and neck
Call the NHS on 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications, such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.
Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:
- your child is getting worse
- your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
- your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
- your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
- your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
- your child is very tired or irritable
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- there are pauses when your child breathes
- your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
How to prevent Strep A from spreading
Strep A is spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes or from a wound. Good hygiene practice such as hand washing remains the most important step in preventing and controlling spread of infection.
Learn more about Strep A by visiting the UK Health Security Agency website.
 Free parking for next two Saturdays
We'll be providing free car parking in town centres on the two Saturdays before Christmas, meaning you'll get it for free on 17 and 24 December.
This is different from previous years where it has been free on every Saturday in December.
We are facing unprecedented financial pressures, with costs going up and sources of income largely fixed or dropping, so we have to make some difficult decisions.
This balances protecting our finances with supporting our residents and local shops.
We advise drivers not to pay for parking using the on site machines or RingoGo app, as both will continue to accept payment on the free parking days and we won't be able to provide refunds. There will be signs up at all applicable car parks.
A full list of car park locations where this applies can be found on our website.
 Warming up your winter with energy efficient items
Air fryers, slow cookers and other energy efficient items are on offer to residents for free if they are struggling this winter.
The Warmer Winter project has been launched by Hardship Alliance members First Days Children’s Charity and our teams, alongside community project SHARE Wokingham.
Residents can switch to these items to ensure they are warm but also lower their energy consumption, and their bills at home. Hundreds of items are ready to distribute thanks to a Government grant and donations from the public to the two organisations.
Families in need of support for the first time should contact First Days Family Support Team on the online referral form. Anyone familiar with another local charity can ask someone they know to get in touch with First Days.
Items have already been provided to Woodley Lunch Bunch and The Link Visiting Scheme to support their clients. Now other organisations are being asked to come forward if they can help.
Other community organisations wishing to access items for their Wokingham Borough clients need to apply by emailing winterwarmer@firstdays.net and the First Days team will respond.
 Have you say - new powers to make roads safer
We're consulting you on whether to apply to the Government for new powers to enforce some traffic offences.
These are known as moving traffic offences and include things such as driving through a no entry sign or driving in areas where motor vehicles aren’t allowed.
If we take on new powers, drivers could be fined for commiting these offences. Currently they can only be enforced by the police.
We'd prioritise locations where it would make the area safer and reduce congestion and mainly use Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Proposed initial locations include:
- Broad Street, Wokingham, junction with Rose Street - banned right turn
- Barkham Road rail crossing, Wokingham, with junction of Oxford Road - banned right turn
- Station Road, Wokingham, junction with Station Approach - banned right turn
- Wellington Road, Wokingham - ahead only
- Gipsy Lane, Wokingham - weight restriction
- Murdoch Road, Wokingham - keep left
- Goatley Way, Wokingham - one-way street
- Milton Road, Wokingham - vehicles prohibited except buses
- Easthampstead Road, Wokingham - yellow box junction
- Hyde End Road, Spencers Wood junction with Fullbrook Road - buses only
- Whitlock Avenue, Wokingham - banned right turn
Cost of living help which makes a difference
Our cost of living help hub continues to be updated with the latest advice and support. Here are the top six pages people have found most useful since we launched earlier in the autumn:
Anyone wanting to talk to someone can contact One Front Door, a service led by Citizens Advice, Wokingham, that helps residents find the most appropriate support. Use the online referral form or call 0808 278 7958, Monday to Friday.
Christmas is just around the corner, if you're struggling for money but want to make it special for your family, there are organisations across the area who will help. Our help at Christmas pages outline all the options.
What you might have missed
|
