Issue - meetings

To receive an update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health confirmed key actions recently taken forward.  

Members heard that community testing is in place for those without symptoms, including front facing workers as nearly a third of cases are asymptomatic.  There is a proposal to extend and continue testing at the beyond 31 March and up to June.  Community collect programmes for parents of children at school can collect tests to take at home.  It has been a priority to ensure access for people to collect their tests.  Work continues with the government on a pharmacy model to ensure further access. Encouraging testing allows residents to know when to isolate to break the chain of infection, keeping in mind those not yet vaccinated. 

Surge testing in tracing the South African variant in the Bramley area was successful with many thanks to Basingstoke colleagues and Leader.  If needed again, a different model will be used due to the complexity of implementing a door-to-door model. If needed again, testing will be taken forward in new ways based on new learning.

The government roadmap has been clear with schools and colleges now back on.  New changes are expected on 29 March and 5-week gaps will measure changes from opening up the economy.  Steps 2, 3 and 4 will be based on close monitoring of changes from the previous step. 

In partnership with district relationships and the Insight and Engagement team, encouragement continues to ensure those least likely to take the vaccination will not be left behind.

In response to questions, Members heard:

With community testing, it has been difficult to ascertain the confidence level with home testing in terms of compliance and working around the behaviour change aspect.  Easy access to take the test at home is accompanied by clear instructions for use, and a PCR test if the results are positive.  It requires a shift in thinking to ensure effective testing becomes a regular part of society.

In regards to the UK mechanisms for vaccine risks and safety, while it is critical to monitor and ensure there are no side effects of adverse reactions, the most recent information shows that blood clots are no more likely with use of AstraZeneca and it is important for residents to take up the vaccine if offered.

To receive an update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health provided updates as noted in the item above regarding community and surge testing.

To receive an update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health provided an update on work continuing with supermarkets, smaller businesses, and faith communities providing advice for Covid secure operations.  Members heard that the Environmental Health Team have visited all retail settings to ensure Covid secure measures are in place and advice given where required.  Taxis and private hire vehicles have measures and advice available to them and the key message remains to stay home.

Community testing continues with lateral flow rapid testing, though not as accurate as the PCR test.  Testing for front line workers is being developed.  As these tests are not licensed to be taken at home, working out the logistics for socially distanced testing is key, with an 8-week programme of community testing in place to break the chain of the infection.  It is an exciting development and a large piece of work to roll out successfully.

To receive an update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

No new actions were reported on this occasion with a continuation of actions previously highlighted.

To receive an update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health provided an overview on the preparation for the end of lockdown on 2 December 2020 and testing.  

Members heard that steps are being taken to ensure the right testing capacity with two new initiatives – the lateral flow test and local pilot of the saliva test to be used in appropriate settings as needed.  This will require local logistics, coordination, and additional sites to increase testing capacity.

When ready, Covid vaccinations will be NHS led with Public Health leadership and logistics work for Hampshire and the Local Resilience Forum, setting up vaccination centres and sites within each Primary Care Network (PCN).  Challenges with storage temperatures will mean those particular vaccines will likely be used in NHS settings and mass vaccination centres.  While vaccinations are now in sight, it will take encouraging all of the population to take it up and move forwards to be freer from Covid. Work will continue to ensure the whole population gets vaccinations and it is a priority to engage and encourage those not likely to get them.  For accessibility across the County, 37 PCNs will have own vaccination locations connected to local areas.  It will be logistically complicated to allow for social distancing, a 15-minute wait after vaccination, and domiciliary services for those who are not able to travel.  

Currently Track and Trace data is also being reviewed to understand causation, circumstances, travel etc. and to help people with medicines or caring responsibilities.

Members noted the update.

To receive an update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health noted that a national lockdown had been announced on the evening of Saturday 31 October for Thursday 5 November.  Members heard:

Actions have been taken based on high level data and settings, most within community and households, rather than workplace settings and managing cases and outbreaks of various sizes so as to take the correct actions to prevent spread.

Managing an outbreak or incident, regardless of the size, takes a significant amount of time and in certain settings require clear and quick actions to control spread.  Schools, for example, have been busy because every case requires some action to isolate staff or bubbles.  The Department of Education helpline has improved and is working well to provide support as schools respond to cases, hand in glove with Children’s Services and public health. 

In preparing locally for events, management of clear communication and animations on social media have ensured that the advice and guidance was clear and well-received.

Collaboration continues with unitaries and neighbours within Hampshire and Isle of Wight, as well colleagues across borders as needed for outbreaks or managing events across borders, as people, issues, events, and viruses are not limited by boundaries.

More local testing sites include 5 new ones within Hampshire and others due to open subject to DHSE approval.  Walk in sites have increased access and lab capacity has seen a rise.  Feedback continues to be received regarding testing sites to improve how they are working and make slight adjustments as needed.

Lateral flow testing that people can take themselves will be helpful but requires further validation tests to use them in appropriate situations.  Those with symptoms should use testing sites.  Work continues with the government, hospitals, and universities to use any variety of testing required to manage the virus and having access to testing and results.  Most tests are coming back within 24 hours with increased national lab capacity and continuous monitoring by the regional team.

In response to questions, Members heard:

There are about 534 schools in Hampshire and since September have had 133 cases with 101 bubbles closed down.  114 of these cases took place in October.  There are 26 special schools and 4 of these have had some level of infection and are more worrying as students are more vulnerable.  All schools have test kits available to them and current feedback received is that tests are taking 5-6 days to get results causing delays isolation.  The Director of Public Health confirmed that schools have limited tests to use in an emergency situation, but postal tests do take longer.  Where possible, students should go to a testing centre and only use school kits if absolutely necessary with isolation commencing straight away until a negative result is received.  The goal is to test quickly but positive symptoms should result in immediate isolation unless negative test.  This messaging will be revisited with Children’s Services.

While the new Anvil walk-in testing facility is ready and capable, it is not working to full  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39

To receive a verbal update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health confirmed that under delegated powers the first legal direction was given on Friday 25 September as noted during the LOEB Briefing.  

A statement was issued saying it was preferred that funfairs do not take place, but in the event that they do it could not be on Council owned land and it would be imperative to follow and monitor safety.  There would need to be case by case risk assessments for any public events and also consider the implications for other areas of the retail sector.

Safety Advisory Groups are tried, tested, and well respected in their multi-agency collaboration, with the support of the Public Health England (PHE) team and engaged and efforts between county and district.  They are carefully trying to balance safe operation, within a complex set of decision-making structures under an ever-changing set of guidance, to protect community from infection.  

Communication and guidance are now being considered by the Health Protection Board for upcoming key events on the calendar (Bonfire Night, Remembrance Day, etc.) under the national guidelines and will be reported back to this Board.

To receive a verbal update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health confirmed that no actions had been undertaken under delegated powers.  

However, the department continues working with colleagues to increase testing capacity and set up local testing units with care home weekly testing prioritized.

Preventative webinars are being shared with universities, schools, and boarding schools, as well as guidance on addressing outbreaks in various settings such as hotels, factories, and sites of strategic importance. Plans need continual revision based on new guidance.  

Closely managing the rule of 6 for any public events remains a priority, especially with organizers and public regarding any events.  If the number of cases increase, preparation is in place for actions that need to be taken.  Promoting, encouraging, and embedding social distancing throughout town centers and communities alongside district colleagues continues to provide safe places.  Non-pharmaceutical events take approximately two weeks to unfold. 

Covid Marshalls are not currently in areas of low prevalence but it will be important for them to have behaviour change skill to be an encouraging and enabling force.