Current UK Risk Level: HIGH

The risk to the UK remains high (as of 13/03/2020).

As of week commencing 11/05/2020, we’re moving into Phase two (Smarter controls) of the Government’s recovery strategy. As per PM’s 11 May message, the country is in the process of moving from Level 4 to Level 3 by the new COVID Alert System and taking the first step in relaxing lockdown measures – According to the PM’s statement “Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of the British people in this lockdown, we have helped to bring the R level down and we are now in a position to begin moving to Level 3, in steps”.

 

Please note the Government’s messaging is now  â€˜stay alert, control the virus, save lives’ (previously ‘stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’)

 

Current UK Situation

• As of 4pm on 16 June, 298,136 people have tested positive. As of 4pm on 16 June, of those who tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, across all settings, 41,969 have died. The daily death toll for Tuesday 16 June was 233. You can view the latest UK dashboard and cases by local authority here. Confirmed cases in Suffolk are broken down by Districts & Boroughs as follows:

 

Ipswich	351	255.2 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	623	251.0 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	183	178.5 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	153	167.4 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	235	131.4 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,545	203.7 per 100,000 resident

 

• The Government daily COVID-19 press conference on 16^th June 2020 was given by the Prime minister, Boris Johnson. Overall Covid-19 associated hospital admissions and deaths are going down, while testing capacity is increasing. We are continuing to progress through the May 11 roadmap to recovery.

• Next steps in adjusting lockdown will address personal care, the hospitality and leisure sector, gathering in places of worship and public places. This will happen no sooner than 4 July.
• British Scientists have led a successful clinical trial, which has shown dexamethasone can significantly reduce the risk of death from COVID-19
• Archive of slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences available here

• Coronavirus: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug, as shown to cut risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators. For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth. The UK government has 200,000 courses of the drug in its stockpile and says the NHS will make dexamethasone available to patients.
• Government funded Imperial College COVID-19 vaccine moves into first human trials. Clinical researchers will begin human trials of a new coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Imperial College London. the vaccine is based on synthetic strands of RNA, rather than a part of the virus. The vaccine will be trialled in 300 healthy volunteers aged between 18 to 70. Imperial has funded a social enterprise VacEquity Global Health (VGH) to distribute the vaccine cost effectively for UK and also lo income countries abroad.
• The MHRA suspends recruitment to COVID_19 hydroxychloroquine trials the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has instructed UK clinical trialists using hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) to suspend recruitment of further participants. This means that no new participants will be recruited to these trials until further data which justifies their continuation have been provided, and any additional safety measures have been implemented
• BBC: Coronavirus: NHS staff need tests ‘twice a week’, a leading surgeon has said NHS staff must be routinely tested for coronavirus up to twice a week. Prof Derek Alderson, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said it was vital, to reassure patients staff were not unwittingly carrying the virus. But hospital trust bosses say they are still waiting for clarity on plans for regular testing.
• BBC: ‘Invisible’ unpaid carers going hungry in lockdown, a study looked at the experiences of people caring for parents and disabled relatives during the lockdown – and found 229,000 unpaid carers were in households where people had “gone hungry”. Individuals did not risk going to shops due to concern for shielded family member.
• BBC: Coronavirus: The new rules for days out at theme parks and museums, even riding on a rollercoaster is going to require a face mask and social distancing when attractions open up again in the future. Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach has decided that, on a ride on which people scream, visitors will be more comfortable if they are made to mask up.

BBC Global Picture

• New Zealand PM Jacinda Arden orders the military to oversee the country’s quarantine and border operations
• Three US states have reported record new infections. Texas, Arizona and Florida all reported their highest daily increases in new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. State officials in Florida reported 2,783 new cases, in Texas, 2,622, and in Arizona, 2,392. All three states have seen social distancing regulations relaxed for weeks, and most businesses have been allowed to reopen in some capacity.
• Brazil reports almost 35,000 new cases- it’s highest daily figure
• Any visitors for Russian President Vladimir Putin must pass through a special disinfection tunnel, state media reports
• Beijing shuts schools and restricts travel as city reports another 31 COVID-19 cases
• Irish pubs and restaurants considering cutting 2 metre rule

 

 

Suffolk

 

Carephones: SCC are pleased to be rolling out 1,000 Video Carephones to support vulnerable or shielded people in Suffolk. The device can help provide people with care and help combat loneliness during Covid-19. Click here to find out more.   

Men’s Mental Health Week: As part of the National Men’s Mental Health Week, Suffolk Wellbeing Service are holding a Zoom call for Dad’s to discuss their experience of lockdown. The session isn’t a therapy session just a chance for dads to get together and have a chat. The call will take place at 2pm on the 18 June 2020. For more information click here

 

Suffolk Pride: Due to Covid-19 Suffolk Pride is going virtual this year and shall be hosting Suffolk Virtual Pride through their facebook page on Saturday 27th June. To find out more click here

 

Healthwatch Survey findings: Healthwatch Suffolk have made some more data available about what young people, parents/guardians and education staff have shared about their wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic in Suffolk. Click here to read more.

 

 

Useful Websites (any new guidance is in RED)

The existing guidance is being updated extremely regularly so please check any guidance relevant to your area to ensure that you are accessing the most up to date version. We are not including in this table all the published material but some of the key guidance that would be relevant to Suffolk County Council and our partners.

 

	Title	Who For	Comments
NEW	World first coronavirus treatment approved for NHS use by government	NHS and healthcare	The government has immediately authorised the NHS to use the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death, Dexamethasone.
NEW	COVID-19: understanding the impact on BAME communities	Organizations and Individuals working in LA, NHS and social care sector.	A summary of stakeholder insights into factors affecting the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. States risks associated with COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality can be exacerbated by Housing challenges Individuals from BAME groups are more likely to work in occupations with a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure. BAME groups likely to use public transportation to travel to their essential work. Historic racism and poorer experiences of healthcare or at work may mean that individuals in BAME groups are less likely to seek care when needed or as NHS staff are less likely to speak up when they have concerns about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or risk.
UPDATE	Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus outbreak	Individuals working in Local authorities and education	A summary of attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April, updated to include figures from 11 June. Figures show 868, 000 children in attendance in schools in week 11/06/2020, compared to 330, 000 on 23/03/2020.
UPDATE	COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing	Local authorities and social care	Update on forming safe social bubble, highlighting need to form bubble with only one other household. Once formed, you should not change the members of your support bubble.
UPDATE	OPSS coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for business and local authorities	Local authorities	Change to the enforcement guidance for local authorities on face masks and coverings, amended to clarify the remits of enforcing authorities.
UPDATE	Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care	Individuals and organizations working in education, childcare and social care	·        Has clarified there is no additional PPE requirements because of coronavirus for first aid, or for non-symptomatic children who present behaviours which may increase the risk of droplet transmission or who require care that cannot be provided without close hands-on contact ·        Refer to cleaning non-healthcare settings guidance in relation to cleaning following a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) and not in relation to regular, routine cleaning as part of an effective hierarchy of controls
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	General Public	This page includes: latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).
2	GOV.UK – COVID-19 homepage	Main cover webpage for all government guidance for public & professionals alike	Main cover webpage for both public and professionals containing the links to: National guidance News/Announcements Press conferences Statistics
3	Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance	Main collection of guidance for anyone in any setting	Guidance includes: – Guidance for the public (incl. social distancing and shielding) – Guidance for non-clinical settings (incl. cleaning, educational settings, employees, employers, businesses, residential care, supported living and home care) – Guidance for health professionals – Infection prevention and control (incl. PPE) – Sampling and diagnostics
4	Heatwave Plan for England	Professionals	The Heatwave Plan for England remains unchanged for summer 2020. Additional actions may be needed due to COVID-19 and specific resources are available below.
5	Mental health support and advice from: WHO mentalhealth.org.uk Ipswich & East CCG Living Life To The Full NHS Practitioner Wellbeing Samaritans	General public, staff and carers
6	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
7	European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) COVID-19 homepage	Professionals

 

 

Local Resources:

Below are any local resources that would be relevant to Suffolk County Council and our partners.  

 

	Title	Who For	Comments
NEW	Support for businesses to become COVID-19 Secure	Businesses requiring advice and support ­	Suffolk county council have linked all relevant GOV.UK guidelines and discuss local actions for implementation.
	Support from the Suffolk Growth Programme Board (SGPB)	Everyone	SGPB is a partnership of all Suffolk local authorities, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, University of Suffolk and New Anglia LEP. In Suffolk our Economy & business recovery work for COVID- 19 is being led by SGPB and the website includes links to funding / surveys / economic impact work. Please do pass this information on to your contacts.
	Suffolk Domestic Abuse 24/7 Helpline – Freephone 0800 977 5690	Everyone	The freephone number is live from 9am on Friday 22nd May 2020 for anyone with concerns including professionals who may be supporting clients as well as friends and family members who are concerned for loved ones.
	New Anglia: Employment Opportunities in Key Sectors in Norfolk and Suffolk	Individuals and Businesses wanting to know what employment opportunities are available in some of our key sectors	The New Anglia LEP – alongside other partners including local authorities – have pulled together lists and links to key employment roles needed now as part of the response to the current crisis.
	Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership	Everyone	The website aims to help everyone understand the signs of neglect or abuse and what to do if they are worried about a child or an adult.
	NEW ANGLIA GROWTH HUB	Businesses needing support ­	A one stop shop source of information for government support and guidance available to  businesses including 121 business advice sources of business grants and loans.
	Healthy Suffolk: COVID-19 Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Information Hub	Everyone	This page contains links to a wealth of resources and support for your health and wellbeing.
	Suffolk County Council: Coronavirus information	Everyone	Suffolk County Council coronavirus (COVID-19) information, including health advice, service changes, business support and schools guidance.
	Keep Moving Suffolk	Everyone	The website contains free resources, ideas, tips, useful links and positive stories to encourage people to stay active during these unprecedented times.  The website and our social channels will be constantly updated.

 

 

Global: WHO Situation Report – reports available here

• WHO Covid-19 Dashboard for professionals using near real time data.
• GOARN COVID-19 Knowledge hub – central repository of quality public health information, guidance, tools and webinars which can be accessed freely at any point.

 

Situation in Numbers WHO SitRep 148, 16 June