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Norfolk County Council Latest Covid-19 update for Norfolk

NEWS RELEASE

29 October 2020

Warning on need for winter vigilance
Infection rates are rising among Norfolk’s working population and there are concerns this could pass on to the over-60s, director of public health Dr Louise Smith warned today. The overall rate for the seven days to 23 October in Norfolk is rising, at 89.2 per 100,000, compared to 59.9 last week. The highest rates are in Breckland (171), Great Yarmouth (125) and Norwich (120).   Forecasts, by the Royal Academy of Medicine, predict cases will continue to rise in across the UK and peak after Christmas.  Norfolk’s public health team is planning on the basis that will also happen here. The number of people now in Norfolk’s hospitals has risen to 89, with two in critical care.  This compares to 49 last week (with four in intensive care). Dr Smith said: “We are starting to see a fall in cases for younger people and a rise in cases in the 23-60-year-old population, which, if left unchecked, will pass into the over 60s. If that happens, we will see more people admitted to hospital and more deaths.  We have already seen this happening in other areas in England. “I understand some people are getting tired of following the rules but we must do so, more than ever. If we don’t, things will escalate quickly in Norfolk and that inevitably leads to more illness and death.” Background: The latest cases per 100,000 people over seven days to October 23rd, with last week’s in brackets: Breckland: 172 (49.3) Broadland: 69 (34.4) Great Yarmouth: 126 (66.4) King’s Lynn and West Norfolk: 48 (36.3) North Norfolk: 36 (35.3) Norwich: 120 (98.9) South Norfolk: 54 (39.8) Outbreaks at Cranswick Foods and other sites: Testing in at the butchery section at Cranswick Foods is nearly complete, with 175 positives and 185 negatives. Attention is now moving to testing in the other parts of the factory and we will issue a further statement tomorrow (Friday). A mobile testing unit, offering walk-in testing, is in Watton today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) The public health team is also investigating: Care provider settings: 37 open outbreaks, two new this week Businesses or workplace settings: 11 outbreaks Education settings: 10 outbreaks   £200,000 to ease hardship this Christmas A £200,000 fund to ease Christmas hardship has been announced by the county council. The council is providing £200,000 to the Norfolk Community Foundation, to support families and vulnerable people facing hardship this Christmas. County council leader Councillor Andrew Proctor said: “We know this has been a tough year for many people in Norfolk and we’ve been working with partners to support the most vulnerable, especially as winter kicks in and the furlough scheme ends. “By working with the Norfolk Community Foundation, we’re maximising the impact of every pound, to help the people who need it most.” Claire Cullens, chief executive of Norfolk Community Foundation, welcomed the announcement and said: “This partnership with Norfolk County Council will give families a helping hand to cope through the crisis of a Covid Christmas. By working together, we will maximise the impact of investment for Norfolk during these challenging times. “It is widely recognised that many people who have never needed help before now need support, because Covid has pushed them from struggling to make ends meet to being unable to cope.” The money is coming from the county council’s £1.015 million Government grant to support people in Norfolk. Around half has been spent so far to help people with food, fuel, exceptional household items and other welfare support. Before the Christmas scheme launches, applications for help can be made to the Norfolk Assistance Scheme on the county council website – https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/support-for-living-independently/money-and-benefits/norfolk-assistance-scheme – or, for those who don’t have internet access, by calling 01603 223392 option 5. Awards that can be made include: A three-day award for applicants who have made an application for Universal Credit A seven-day award for people who are furloughed, are self-employed or have been made redundant and are awaiting verification of their Universal Credit application Awards to applicants with no recourse to public funds   General advice: Halloween and Bonfire night: Norfolk County Council and partner agencies are asking children and families to celebrate Halloween differently this year as we all do our bit to find new ways to do things to keep the spread of Covid-19 as controlled as possible. To find out more about this, including some ideas for how to celebrate, please see https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/news/2020/10/celebrating-halloween-differently-this-year-keeping-covid-safe   Return to school after half term: Schools, academies and colleges across the county are working very hard to ensure their risk assessments and processes are right as children and young people return to education settings after the half term holiday. A quick guide and symptom checker have been developed to add clarity for parents on when to keep children off school. Please see https://www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/-/media/schools/files/coronavirus-related-files/health-safety-and-wellbeing/symptom-checker-flowchart.pdf and https://www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/-/media/schools/files/coronavirus-related-files/health-safety-and-wellbeing/quick-guide-for-absence-from-school.pdf     Spotting symptoms: The symptoms to look out for are: •            A high temperature •            A new, continuous cough •            loss of sense of smell and taste   To find out how to stay safe, what to do if you have symptoms and the support available should you need to isolate, visit https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/health-and-wellbeing/adults-health/coronavirus .         ​
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Norfolk County Council Covid-19 weekly update

22 October 2020

NEWS RELEASE
This is the first of a new weekly media bulletin on the latest Covid-19 information and statistics for Norfolk. A weekly press conference will also take place every Thursday to provide an update on the latest situation in the county. Latest statistics for Norfolk show cases are continuing to rise Covid-19 rates across Norfolk have continued to rise this week, with people across the county being advised to be extra careful over the half-term break. The seven-day incidence for Norfolk between October 10 and 16 was 58.94 per 100,000, compared with 51.11 for the same period the previous week. This compares with 75.37 for the East of England and 171.75 for England. Norwich continues to have the highest rate of infection, with 107.42 cases per 100,000, followed by Great Yarmouth (93.62); Breckland (56.44); South Norfolk (49.69); Broadland (39.00); North Norfolk (36.25) and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (35.01). As of Wednesday, 21 October, there were 46 people in hospital in the county with coronavirus. Cllr Andrew Proctor, Chair of the Norfolk Engagement Board and Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “The people of Norfolk continue to pull together and have been doing a great job of protecting themselves and each other but our rates of the virus are continuing to climb. “It’s vital that we continue to protect ourselves and others. The advice remains the same, keep washing our hands, keeping our distance, wearing a face covering and sticking to the rule of six. It’s a county-wide effort and every one of us needs to continue to play our part to protect Norfolk.” Half-term travel and tourism advice As more people travel and socialise over the school holidays, Norfolk County Council is urging people to continue to follow the public health advice – keep to the rule of six and keep washing hands, socially distancing and covering faces where needed. Cllr Andrew Proctor, Chair of the Norfolk Engagement Board and Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “Norfolk is very much open for business particularly over half-term and I hope that families will be able to get out and safely enjoy the many places and attractions our county has to offer. “Rates of the virus here are increasing but they still remain lower than those nationally – so I’d urge people to be extra careful if they are travelling to and from Norfolk and to continue to follow the public health advice. It’s sensible to avoid crowded areas, where social distancing is more difficult, and to check if you need to pre-book days out with the family. “With different areas of the United Kingdom facing different restrictions, you wouldn’t expect people to be leaving areas in Tier 3 (very high risk). It’s vital that everyone checks the status of local areas before travelling. Details on the tiers for each area are available at www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions. “The virus thrives on human contact, so the more we can do to minimise that by following the guidelines, they are there for a good reason, the more we can prevent its spread.” Reminder on when and how to isolate With rates of coronavirus in the county continuing to increase, it remains crucial that people follow the guidance around when and how to isolate to prevent spreading the virus. People should self-isolate immediately if: You have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) You’ve tested positive for coronavirus You live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive Someone in your support bubble has symptoms or has tested positive for the virus You’re told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, the app, or local test and trace teams You arrive in the UK from a country on the government’s quarantine list People who are isolating must stay at home and not have any visitors to their home or garden for the duration of the isolation period (unless for essential care). Dr Louise Smith, Director of Public Health for Norfolk said: “We completely understand that isolating is difficult, particularly after such a long period of restrictions. However, it can literally save lives by preventing the spread of the virus. “Isolation means staying away from everyone outside of your immediate household – please don’t go to the shops, go to stay with family or have visitors. There is financial help available and support to get supplies. Agencies across Norfolk are here to help – we need to all work together to prevent the spread of the virus.” Those who need support with accessing food and medicine can also contact the council for help on 0344 800 8020. Details on the Isolation Support Payment are available here. Appeal for young Covid Champions to help share and shape public health messages Norfolk County Council and Mancroft Advice Project are urging young people to come forward to be Covid Champions to help share and shape public health messages during the pandemic. The council wants to create a network of champions that can help shape young people-facing campaigns and promote messages via their schools and social networks. The council is already working closely with schools to provide advice and support and has a range of Covid-19 materials aimed at children and young people. MAP will be working with the Covid Champions to provide advice and support. Young people who are interested can email marketing@norfolk.gov.uk New local testing site for Great Yarmouth A new local testing site is currently being built in Great Yarmouth to help create more testing capacity in the borough. The site at Nelson Road car park will be operational from tomorrow. Norfolk’s Health Protection Board applied to the Department for Health and Social Care to create the additional capacity in the county. People are encouraged to book a test for the new centre online at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. The tests are a walk-through service only and are in addition to permanent and mobile testing sites that are already in operation. Home testing kits remain the most convenient way to access a test and mean that people do not need to travel for a test. This can be booked via the same route as test centres. Cllr Proctor added: “We’re pleased to be working with the government to bring this extra testing site to the county. It means those living in Great Yarmouth have another way to access tests, helping us to track the virus and prevent the spread.” Those working at sites are provided with personal protective equipment to protect themselves from the virus and to ensure the safety of the wider community. Those attending the site must wear a face covering with the exception of those under three. Everyone must maintain social distancing. ​
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NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE

23 October 2020

Celebrating Halloween differently this year: keeping Covid-safe
  As we prepare for the spookiest night of the year, Norfolk County Council and partner agencies are asking children and families to celebrate Halloween safely. Leader of Norfolk County Council and Chair of the Norfolk Covid-19 Engagement Board, Andrew Proctor, said: “Across the country and across Norfolk, the cases of coronavirus in the community around us are increasing. We must all do our bit to keep the spread as controlled as possible, and part of that means finding new ways to do things. “There’s no reason not to have fun on Halloween but this year is one to celebrate at home to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.  We know this will have an impact on future events such as Bonfire Night and Remembrance Sunday but as things currently stand it’s best for everyone.” Norfolk Constabulary’s Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Julie Wvendth, said: “We have all been working well together locally in our efforts to stop the spread of the virus and we see Halloween as another opportunity for Norfolk to celebrate differently and therefore safely. While we don’t want people to stop having fun there are many other ways we can highlight Halloween without breaking the rule of six or social distancing and we will make every effort to support people in celebrating in this way.” No to trick or treating Traditional trick or treating isn’t advised this year, due to the increased risk of virus transmission that comes from common touch points (think doorbells / knockers / sweet containers) and increased close contact with crowds of people. Celebrate differently There are many alternatives that mean you can still enjoy a memorable evening, including: Be creative: create a pumpkin trail where you live so everyone can join in without knocking on doors. Be virtual: consider an online party with decorations, fancy dress and themed food. Play Halloween games, bake Halloween treats or tell spooky stories. Be social: take pictures of your spooky costumes and activities to share on social media. Be colourful: dress up the outside of your house with Halloween decorations for you and your neighbours to enjoy. Be treat-wise: buy your own sweets to give to your children so they don’t miss out. Be bright: if you carve a pumpkin, use a battery-powered light inside it to reduce the risk of fire.   If you want to scare, know what to wear! The purchase of your spooky costumes is important too. Shop safely and avoid buying flammable costumes by: checking the CE mark on the labelreading the safety informationonly buying from trusted places   To ensure everyone enjoys a Covid-safe Halloween, a social media campaign will be launched to give tips and advice on how to play safe. ENDS More information on the safety of costumes can be found here: https://bit.ly/3mjVdYV For political comment
For details of cabinet members, committee chairs and agendas, please see: www.norfolk.gov.uk/cabinetandchairs
Group leaders’ and councillors’ contact details are available at: www.norfolk.gov.uk/countycouncillors

For further information please contact:
Communications Team at Norfolk County Council
Tel: 01603 228888
Email: pressoffice@norfolk.gov.uk       ​