To receive a presentation and update on the latest COVID-19 data and related activity.

David Scott, Head of Communities, introduced the item and provided members with an update on Covid figures as of 12pm on November 15th. He stated that testing rates in the Royal Borough were the highest of all the local authorities within Berkshire, although the number of tests being carried out and the number of positive results were falling. During the recent spike in cases the Royal Borough was ahead of the national rate and that for the south east, but local rates had now dropped back down below these averages.

It was noted that Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury was the ward with the highest rate of cases and the 10-14 age cohort had the most cases. The next highest age group was those aged 40-44, which was said to be the parents of those school-age children who had tested positive.

Members were provided with an update on hospital admission rates across the two trusts covering the Royal Borough, which were broadly similar. Although infection rates were increasing, this was not necessarily translating into hospital admissions and/or a higher death rate. The overall death rate was roughly the same as the expected average figure over the past five years. However, David Scott advised that increases in hospital admission rates would put pressures on the system and some elective procedures were being disrupted within the Frimley Trust as a result.

Members were given an update on vaccination rates, with a full breakdown of rates among different age categories. Takeup rates among the highest age ranges was more than 90 per cent, but an awareness drive was taking place to encourage even more people to get vaccinated as around 20 per cent of residents had not been fully vaccinated. One of the messages to residents was it wasn’t too late to receive a vaccine if you had not taken up an earlier offer. Initiatives such as the vaccine bus that visited locations where takeup had not been high had been implemented. Residents were also being advised to take a third booster jab as the effectiveness of the vaccine started to subside after five to six months.

Councillor Tisi asked what was being done to try and reduce Covid rates in schools and to encourage pregnant woman to have the vaccine, as some concerns had been raised. David Scott said a letter had been sent to the headteachers of all state and independent schools across Berkshire informing them of additional measures they could implement to prevent the spread of Covid, and to re-emphasise key messages regarding infection prevention and control. Guidance was also issued to see if there were any missed opportunities in schools that had had an outbreak, and if anything could be learnt from this. Regarding pregnant women David Scott said the advice from the Nursing and Midwifery Council was for women to take the vaccine as this would cause fewer medical issues as a result.

Responding to a question from Councillor Davey, David Scott said the advice was receiving a third booster jab provided more effective immunity than the natural antibodies produced by vaccinated people contracting Covid. The possibility of prioritising vaccines to under 19s attending college was being investigated.

Councillor Hilton asked if it would be possible to be given figures for the number of people who had tested positive for Covid against the number of vaccinations they had received, whether that was one, two, three or none. He said this could demonstrate to the public the reasons why getting vaccinated was important. David Scott said he would look into whether these figures were available.

Councillor Shelim noted the Royal Borough had always had low numbers of infections compared to Slough but the situation had changed recently, and asked why this was the case. David Scott said this was due to more people being tested in the Royal Borough, and differences in vaccination rates and greater variation in age group distributions.

Councillor Price drew members’ attention to the Outbreak Engagement Board. The last meeting had been very informative and provided councillors with the opportunity to ask questions. She said the next meeting was scheduled for December 20^th.

Responding to a question from the Chairman, David Scott said the figures in relation to the Frimley CCG only related to cases within the Royal Borough and not the Trust area as a whole.