Agenda item

COVID-19 Update

To receive a presentation on the latest available information regarding to Covid-19.

Minutes:

David Scott introduced the COVID-19 epidemiology for RBWM report published by the Berkshire Public Health using data drawn from Public Health England. The report showed a comparison for the period between 14 to 20 January to the previous seven days. In the borough:

  • 446 individuals were tested per 100,000, the mid-range in comparison to other neighbouring Berkshire boroughs. This was on a reducing trend.
  • 12.8% individuals tested positive, which was a reducing trend.
  • 334 cases per 100,000 of all ages, which continued to drop to 302 on the date of the Forum.
  • 359 cases per 100,000 of over 60s cohort. The elder generation was the greatest strain on the NHS due to an increased risk with poorer outcomes and requiring longer term treatment.
  • Cases of COVID-19 increased in December 2020 in RBWM but were below the Southeast and England figures until mid-December 2020. The figures rose above these levels just before Christmas 2020, but as of 1 January 2021, cases dropped below the England and Southeast average once again.
  • Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury had the highest confirmed COVID-19 cases, and cases had increased in care homes and residential dwellings.
  • There was a rise in mortality rates and patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. If the current more recent trend of data continued, there was hope for a fall in the number of inpatients.
  • Data from 21 January 2021 showed reduced figures, and Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury had also improved. Clewer East had a higher rate of COVID-19 due to an outbreak in a care home.

 

Berkshire authorities submitted a proposal to set up a Lateral Flow Device Testing Centres (LFDTC), which were centres for the national programme to be executed at a community level. The results from the lateral flow device tests would be given in half an hour rather than several days. Should the proposal be approved, Braywick and Windsor leisure centres would become the centres for those who could not work from home and had contact with the public. They would receive two tests per week and could book in advance but if unable to use digital route they could turn up, but this would take longer to obtain the test. The centres would be open 7 days a week between 6am and 8pm during the weekdays and 10am to 4pm during the weekends.

 

A third of all positive COVID-19 were asymptomatic. If a test was positive, the individual would self-isolate and the details would be passed to the national track and trace system. The Contact Tracing and Advisory Service (CTAS) would make the initial contact; however, if unsuccessful, the Local Contact Tracing Service (LCTS) would follow-up. Set up in November 2020, the LCTS was where all those who were unable to be reached by the NHS were followed up. The number of daily referrals had increased to 25-30 referrals daily. It was hoped that residents would respond to a local number and there had been up to 50% in engagement of those referred from the national service. Residents were taken through a questionnaire when infected and were given advice and support.

 

43% of all cases were caught from the community rather than at home. Staff training g for those working at the LFDTC includes 11 modules that had to have a 100% pass rate to be part of the workforce and every member was tested for COVID-19 daily.

 

Councillor Price asked if there were any lessons from the Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury figures and how ward Councillors could help. David Scott said the lessons included following the rules, staying at home where possible, wearing a face mask, washing hands, and maintaining social distance. Councillors could promote the key message which are still essential for everyone.

 

Councillor Knowles said the figures were not always the same in each key so the data of maps may not be easily comparative. Councillor Davey asked if the cause of death for a COVID-19 positive individual was recorded as a COVID-19, even if there was unrelated to the virus. David Scott said this would be confirmed offline.

 

ACTION: David Scott to inform Councillor Davey of the record of death of a COVID-19 positive due to an unrelated cause offline.

 

Jeffrey Pick said there were scams on COVID-19 vaccinations and asked what the legitimate vaccination notification procedure was. David Scott said he would take this offline and briefly explained follow-up phone calls and text would be made until the vaccination was given, or the resident opted out from the service.

 

The Panel noted the item.