International/National
The Government has implemented a national lockdown in England.
In England, people admitted to/in hospital are rising. Covid patients in hospitals have exceeded the high point in the Spring 2020. Covid 19 related deaths continue to rise week on week.
PHE statistics and Covid Symptom Study statistics are now indicating a week on week increase in infection rates in England with the R number above 1.
A more virulent variant of the Covid virus has been identified which appears to be part of the reason for the increasing rate of infection.
The Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines are being rolled out. It can be anticipated that the vaccination process will take many months to complete it's roll out. The Government is setting a target for vaccinating the most vulnerable and elderly by mid-February. According to PHE statistics, as of 5/1 - 944539 people have received the vaccination first dose.
Suffolk
PHE statistics indicate that Suffolk as a whole and East Suffolk specifically have experienced increases in confirmed infections (week on week ending 31/12). The seven day rolling increase for Suffolk was up 1263 (67.5%) and for East Suffolk it was up 389 (83.5%). In terms of national ranking for infection, East Suffolk is still ranked at 297 out of 315 local authority areas.
The Kings College Covid Symptom Study indicates a significant increase in the rate of infection East Suffolk in the last 7 days with estimated active cases standing at 1039, up 311 from last week.
Five vaccination centres are being set up in Suffolk in early January. The nearest centre to Framlingham will be located in Debenham.
Framlingham
PHE statistics indicate that there were 40 confirmed cases in the area on 31/12, up 31 cases from the previous week.
Assumptions
The Covid 19 infection rate is rising rapidly both in Suffolk as a whole and specifically in the Framlingham area. We have entered a period of significant risk for our community.
The introduction of vaccines and mass testing regimes will take several months to take effect and the period of risk will stretch into the Spring/Summer. This means that there is a period of vulnerability lasting several months.
In Framlingham, we must start stepping up levels of support to the community and reinforce social distancing/hygiene messaging. It can be anticipated that there will be requests for volunteers to support health authorities and local community organisations.
We must not let our guard down.
Activity
The
www.Framlingham.com website has been updated to reflect the guidance around the lockdown. We continue to monitor infection levels on a daily basis and maintain contact with partners to ensure an effective response to Covid 19 challenges locally.
Key issues that we are currently addressing:
Support to vulnerable and isolated people;
Promoting effective messaging around the restrictions, hygiene and the availability of support;
Ensuring with our partners that we have a viable volunteer base to meet potential new demand.
The Area Coordinators met today. They are contacting their volunteers and ask them to ensure that vulnerable and isolated people in their areas are supported subject to appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures. We are looking to fill gaps in the cocoon leads structure. Where there are specific needs that cannot be met locally, the Hour Community can assist with transport and shopping.
The Hour Community continues to assist the community with shopping and medications as well as contact/support service. Consideration is being given to the requirement for transport for elderly people to the Debenham vaccination centre.
Useful contacts:
Hour Community: 01728 440511
Worry Tree: 01728 440533
Non-emergency NHS: 111
Emergency: 999
