Agenda item

COVID-19 Update

To receive the above update.

Minutes:

David Scott, Head of Communities, said work was being done to minimise the spread and transmission of COVID-19. Work was based on embedding the immediate emergency response and supporting businesses, such as grants. Strong relationships were built with high risk settlings where people were still meeting, such as schools and care homes. The local public health team, the Communications team and providers such as Optalis were working with stakeholders to spread the government messaging to reduce the risk of infection.

 

Areas of improvement included prioritising the data so that the strategy could be delivered, transmission could be reduced, and the economy and people could be protected. Data was used to prioritise the delivery of the strategy to reduce transmission, protect people and the economy.

 

The next phase of support was based on including epidemiological and local data, working with technical advice from Public Health England, enforcement activity from the TVP and communications from the Communications team and community influencers. Trusted information was shared through powerful local influencers, particularly in the higher risk Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community and the messaging was tailored to the community.

 

Once the data was collected, hotspots of transmission would be identified, causes could be deduced and actions to reduce transmission could be deployed. Awareness of how their actions impacted the spread of COVID-19 would be raised, such as a recent communication with Head Boys and Girls in local schools. The young people said it was the first time they received information from what they considered was a reliable source and the conversation helped them dismantle the perception that young people did not have an impact on the spread of the infection.

 

The new launch of the Berkshire public health website (https://www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk/) was a very useful resource that shared the latest information and a COVID-19 dashboard updated on a daily basis. The weekly rate data reported at 20 November 2020 for the Borough was 144 per 100,000, which had dropped from the high point in 12 November of 198.8 per 100,000. There was an effort to coordinate information and ensure there was one view, such as the borough’s Health Protection Board, which included Director’s and Managing Director’s from Public Health, the borough, nursing and Clinical Commissioning Groups.

 

The borough was due to find out the tier criteria at the time of the Forum and the key factors that determined the tier, these included: absolute infection rates, positivity rates and age profile, with the transmission moving up to the over 60s, who were a higher risk and added pressure on the health system. A higher proportion of the infection rates were not able to be attributed to a known cluster and the highest source of infection was from the home setting.

Councillor Price said it was important for residents to look at a reputable source and rumour mongering was unhelpful. The Vice Chairman said that Test and Trace Local Contact Tracing Service was now available. Councillor Davey asked if contact was not possible via a contact number, would police and community wardens be utilised to contact residents.

 

David Scott informed the Forum that the service was launched a week prior to the Forum meeting and was growing. Information was cascaded from the National service and if the follow-up information was unsuccessful in 72 hours, then the information would be sent to the council. There was a combination of follow-up actions such as ongoing welfare checks, home visits from community wardens and initial calls by colleagues.

 

Councillor Singh said the messaging for the tier system was confusing and asked if there were translations to reach the vulnerable communities, and the Forum was informed that community influencers and BAME community leaders were contacted to translate the messaging. Councillor Singh asked if there was audio messaging recorded and the Forum was informed this had taken place, as well as information shared on Asian Star Radio and Councillors.