To receive an update on the current situation from the Strategic Director of Public Health for Berkshire.

Tessa Lindfield gave a presentation to the Board on the current Covid situation in RBWM. She talked through the recent local data, which had shown a drop off in the number of positive cases over recent weeks. At the time of the meeting on 19^th January 2021, the rate was 457.8 per 100,000 people and there was particularly high levels of positive cases for those in the 60+ age category. However, young adults were most likely to test positive for the virus. There was currently double the number of in patients across the South East than there was during the first wave. The Berkshire Public Health website was updated daily and provided the latest data for the pandemic across Berkshire. In summary, Tessa Lindfield said that the second peak had been higher than the first, there were some signs that showed that the rate of infection was slowing, but household to household transmission was still the main route of infection.

The Chairman said that it was concerning to see the number of cases and deaths. He stressed the importance of complying with the guidance and making sure that it was being communicated to the public effectively. Masks needed to be worn where appropriate and it was important to note that a face shield did not meet the requirements of the guidance. The mask needed to cover the nose and mouth which a face shield on its own did not do. Play areas could currently remain open, with the benefit and cost calculation of closing them being taken into account. However, the Chairman said that he was not entirely comfortable with this guidance and had asked for it to be reviewed.

The Board took a question from the member of the public. The question was: “As there is still a high prevalence of COVID19 in the Borough, will more testing be done to try and detect people that are asymptomatic?  If this is going to happen, who will be approached for testing and will RBWM be producing literature for residents that explains the process and why it is necessary?”

In response, Tessa Lindfield said that 1 in 3 people were asymptomatic and it was therefore important to find these people and make sure that they were self-isolating if needed. The focus for community lateral flow testing was on those that needed to work and could not work from home. RBWM would be receiving assistance from military planners and proposals would be sent to the Department of Health with a view of setting this up as soon as possible. The process would be supported by literature and communication giving residents information about the testing.

Huw Thomas said that rapid testing had been started for primary care staff and had been working well.

Kevin McDaniel, Director of Children’s Services, said that all schools in the borough had now set up rapid lateral testing. Primary schools would have test kits sent home over the next week.

Councillor Hunt asked how long the virus stayed on playground equipment. The Chairman said that it was not clear at this stage how long it could survive as it could stay on surfaces for a long period of time. However, playgrounds were outdoors and therefore transmission was less likely. SAGE had been investigating the issue and the Chairman believed that a more cautious approach needed to be adopted.

Tessa Lindfield said that contacts were asked by NHS Test and Trace where they had recently been which would cover things like playgrounds.

Duncan Sharkey, Managing Director, said that it was about balancing risks. There was a need to focus on the areas that would help to protect residents from the pandemic.