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 9am on 21 May, 2,064,329 people have been tested, of which 250,908 tested positive. As of 5pm on 20 May, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 36,042 have died. 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	328	238.5 per 100,000 resident
East Suffolk	562	226.4 per 100,000 resident
Mid Suffolk	166	162.0 per 100,000 resident
Babergh	137	149.9 per 100,000 resident
West Suffolk	201	112.4 per 100,000 resident
Suffolk	1,394	183.8 per 100,000 resident

• Health and Social Care Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 21 May 2020 – transcript here
  • On Mental Health Awareness Week, I want to say this to anyone who has been finding it hard. These are tough times. It is OK to be not OK. And if you are a health or care worker, there is bespoke series of support so we can care for you just as you care for us – just text FRONTLINE to 85258.
  • Today I am providing a further 4.2 million pounds so organisations like Samaritans and Young Minds and Mental Health UK can keep on doing what they do best.
  • And PHE’s Every Mind Matters campaign is something that every single person can engage with and can use to strengthen your mental health and wellbeing.
  • On testing, there are 2 developments that I wanted to share with you all today.
  • First, we are working with many top names to help us deliver swab testing (if you currently have the virus) with a rapid turnaround. For example, Optigene has produced an early test which is being trialled from today. It doesn’t need to be sent to a lab to be processed and so you get the result on the spot, typically within around 20 minutes.
  • Second is around antibody tests. These tell you if you have had the virus and have developed antibodies in response, that might help you to fight the virus in the future. We have now had the results of our antibody surveillance study – around 17% of people in London, and around 5% or higher in the rest of the country, have tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.
  • I can announce today that we have signed contracts to supply in the coming months, over 10 million antibody tests from Roche and Abbott. From next week, we will begin rolling out antibody tests in a phased way. At first, to health and care staff, patients and residents.

o   Archive of slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences available here.

·       £22 million awarded to life-saving health charities during virus outbreak – Mental health, ambulance, social care, learning disabilities, autism and dementia charities are among those set to receive millions of pounds in government funding.

·       NHS thanks Muslim staff working through Ramadan and urges care over Eid.

·       Case Study: Caring for people most vulnerable to COVID-19 in Thanet, NHS Kent and Medway – Health and care services in Thanet, East Kent, have extended their Acute Response Team (ART) service to help care homes and those caring for patients in their own homes to better cope with the extra demands caused by COVID-19.

·       Data graphs on coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), compare countries  – updated daily, graphs on various countries, including total number of confirmed deaths, how rapidly have deaths increased compared to other countries, when did countries bend the curve, where are confirmed deaths increasing most rapidly, world map of confirmed deaths relative to the size of the population.

• Sexual and reproductive health help during COVID-19 – gives details on accessing various services and links to advice and helplines.
• BBC: fines of up to £1,000 for international travellers who fail to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in the UK –  The government plans, expected to come into force next month, would allow health officials to carry out spot checks at private addresses.
• BBC: Immune clue sparks treatment hope – UK scientists are to begin testing a treatment that it is hoped could counter the effects of Covid-19 in the most seriously ill patients. The clinical trial will evaluate if a drug called interleukin 7, known to boost T-cell numbers (T-cells clear infection from the body), can aid patients’ recovery.
• BBC: Global picture
  • The US accuses the World Health Organization of allowing the pandemic to spin “out of control”
  • China’s president defends his country’s handling of the virus, and pledges £1.6bn in aid for affected nations
  • More European countries are relaxing lockdown restrictions on Monday, with bars and restaurants reopening in Italy
  • France and Germany propose a 500bn euro plan to relaunch the EU economy
  • The mayor of Brazil’s biggest city, Sao Paulo, warns its health system is close to collapse

Suffolk

 

Stick with it Suffolk over the Bank Holiday Weekend: Suffolk Resilience Forum is urging people to keep doing the right thing this bank holiday weekend, as the county’s #StickWithItSuffolk campaign continues. Despite the relaxation of some of the Government restrictions, there is still a risk that the spread of coronavirus is likely to increase. This will happen if we are not responsible and fail to stay alert, especially with the temptation to take advantage of the predicted good weather. To read the full press release click here

 

Domestic Abuse Helpline offering 24 hour support: SCC working with Anglia Care Trust has today <Friday 22 May> extended its Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 977 5690 to offer 24 hour support seven days a week and is urging anyone experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse to make contact, when safe to do so.  With lockdown measures still in place, it is important that those who may find themselves at risk of abuse at home, can access the right support at whatever time they need. Anyone with concerns including professionals who may be supporting clients, as well as friends and families who are concerned for loved ones, can access this local support. For more information click here

 

Recycling Centres: All 11 Suffolk Recycling Centres are open this bank holiday but people must have a booking before arriving. There are no exceptions and anyone without a booking will be turned away so that the centres can maintain safe social distancing on site. For more information click here

 

Business Companion: Business guidance on trading standards and the coronavirus pandemic is available for free from the Business Companion. Click here for more information

 

 

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
UPDATED	Case studies: remote education practice for schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)	educational establishments	Additional case studies about adapting teaching practice for remote education.
UPDATED	MHRA guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19)	industry, healthcare professionals and patients	Added link to new guidance on immunomodulatory drugs and temporary pregnancy prevention guidance during COVID-19, in the Medicines and COVID-19 section
UPDATED	Supporting wellbeing (Education & Childcare)	schools	Added information for schools on staying in contact with and identifying staff who need additional support.
UPDATED	Supporting your children’s education during coronavirus (COVID-19)	parents and carers of children who are learning at home	Added guidance for secondary school children: – Help your child organise their time – Mental health and wellbeing – Year 7 to year 9 students – Year 10 students – Year 11 students
1	NHS – COVID-19 go-to page	General Public
2	GOV.UK – COVID-19 homepage	Main cover webpage for all government guidance for public & professionals alike
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	Staying alert and safe (social distancing)	Everyone
5	Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do	Everyone
6	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
7	Chronic disease self- care during COVID-19: Asthma Diabetes	General public
8	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	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 RISK ASSESSMENT (Global Level) – Very High
• 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 122, 21 May