Agenda item

Covid 19 update

a.    Local Outbreak Control Plan: Progress Update: Presentation of Director of Public Health, Durham County Council

b.    Questions from members of the public and stakeholders

Minutes:

The Board considered a report and detailed presentation of the Director of Public Health which provided an update on the COVID-19 response and the COVID-19 Local Outbreak Control Plan (for copy see file of Minutes).

 

The Director of Public Health reported that the rate across County Durham had now reduced, although numbers were still high and the number of deaths was also starting to reduce however there was a lag in the reporting of these numbers. She went on to explain that the new variant detected in the UK was around 70% more transmissible and this strengthened the importance of the key messages of hands, face, space.

 

An update was further reported in respect of the Local Health Protection Assurance Board whose key purpose was to lead, co-ordinate and manage work to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Director of Public Health explained that the spike detection tool had been developed to identify localised outbreaks and allowed for a mobilised community response to any such outbreaks and would also be utilised in education, care home and workplace settings.

 

The Director of Public Health in relation to the vaccination programme noted that as of 6 January 2021, 28,000 vaccinations had been administered.

 

In response to questions submitted by members of the public.

 

When there are spikes in the community transmission, do we know the reasons – for example there was a recent spike in Durham City prior to the Christmas break?

 

The Director of Public Health explained that the outbreak in Durham City was known to be non-student related and had been found to be from broader community transmission. It was noted that similar outbreaks had been seen in Annfield Plain and South Moor.

 

S Caddell asked whether County Durham were close to opening a mass vaccination site, the Director of Public Health advised that work was ongoing through discussions with NHS England and partners and it was hoped that a conclusion on this matter would be reached soon.

 

What is the current situation in County Durham regarding visits to Care Homes?

 

The Corporate Director Adult and Health Services recognised the importance of the connections from allowing residents and their families to be able to visit and visiting should be supported where it's possible to do so in line with the national guidance. It was also important that within the care home environment appropriate measures to manage any risks were undertaken and to strike a balance between the benefits of visiting on the well-being and the risk of transmission based on a dynamic risk assessment. However, for all care homes except in the event of an active outbreak outdoor visiting should be enabled and in exceptional circumstances visits should be enabled where that's safe and practical to do.

 

She went on to explain that it was extremely important that the guidance was followed by care home providers and it's also important to note that in the event of an outbreak in a care home visiting should stop immediately.  Support and advice was being provided to care homes to enable them to facilitate those risk assessments and support for visiting within the context of the guidance where possible.

 

What services are the Council and partners able to offer local people if they must self-isolate due to either being Covid positive or being a Covid contact?

 

The Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services advised that along with partners the council were able to offer a broad range of services to people who have to self-isolate either due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 or as a contact for example:

·      single access point for the COVID-19 support through the County Durham Together Community Hub

·      Food / Voluntary / Mutual aid groups

·      Medication deliveries

·      Fuel vouchers

·      Test and Trace isolation payments for low income earners

·      Advice and guidance

·      Benefits, debt and welfare advice

·      Bereavement and mental health support

 

Resolved: That the content of the report and presentation be noted.

 

Supporting documents: