11 February 2021
| Extra testing rolled out in Norfolk to help prevent spread of coronavirus |
|
Rapid
symptom-free community Covid testing is being rolled out across Norfolk after
successful pilots in the east and west of the county.
Mobile
testing sites are planned in in King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, north Great
Yarmouth, Caister, Hemsby and Scratby next week, with further sites expected
to go live in parts of South Norfolk and Norwich towards the end of the week.
Symptom-free
residents in these areas will be able to book a Covid 19 test online at: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/rapidtesting
Residents
can also visit the sites during their testing hours without an appointment to
request a test.
Further
symptom-free testing sites will then roll out across the county in the coming
weeks and will be targeted at areas where the virus is spreading or where
there is greater risk of transmission. When the future sites are announced,
residents in their areas will be made aware and will be able to book via the
above link.
Rapid-turnaround
lateral flow tests provide results within 30 minutes and are used to proactively
test those without symptoms. This helps to identify those who unknowingly
have the virus and enable those who test positive and their contacts to
self-isolate, which can help drive down the R rate locally and save lives.
Dr Louise
Smith, Director of Public Health for Norfolk, said: “One in three people with
coronavirus have no symptoms, which means they can be spreading the virus
without knowing. These rapid tests help us to find these people so that we
can break the train of transmission.
“We have
already piloted the testing in King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth and are now
rolling out sites to areas in each district where the virus is most
prevalent. The aim is to identify those who might be carrying and spreading
the virus without knowing it, so that we can help reduce the spread.
“Although
a negative test might provide some reassurance to people, it is not a
guarantee that you don’t have the virus, so if you do visit the test centre
and the result is negative please do keep following the national
restrictions, as well as following the hands, face and space guidelines. This
will help further bring down rates of Covid in our county.”
Social
distancing and face masks are required at testing sites, except when taking
the test. Anyone with symptoms should not use the symptom-free test and
should instead book a test via the NHS.
Tests on
the site will be self-administered with trained staff from Norse observing to
ensure that the correct process is followed. The results will be texted or
emailed.
Those who
test positive should isolate immediately and work with national or local
contact tracers to identify their close contacts. People no longer need a
second test to confirm a positive test from a lateral flow test.
A negative
Covid test does not mean that someone does not have the virus and those who
test negative should continue to follow all of the public health guidelines
to protect themselves and others.
Those who
have been vaccinated are still eligible for lateral flow testing – this will
not affect the results.
Decisions
on where community testing should take place are made by clinicians, who will
analyse the latest case rates and risks of transmission.
Norfolk’s
seven district councils are supporting the roll-out by providing venues and
helping to promote the sites locally.
Vaccinations
continue across the county
Vaccinations
continue to be delivered to priority groups, with 31 sites across Norfolk and
Waveney now offering vaccines.
Melanie
Craig, Chief Executive, NHS Norfolk & Waveney Clinical Commissioning
Group, said: “I am delighted that the vaccination programme across Norfolk
& Waveney/North Suffolk continues to go from strength to strength.
“Based on
the latest data available, Norfolk & Waveney is the top performing system
in the East of England region in terms of the percentage of over 80s
vaccinated and percentage of total adult population vaccinated to date; this
is thanks to the hard work and dedication of health and care staff across
Norfolk & Waveney and the vital support we have and continue to receive
from volunteers, the Police, Fire Service, Councils and more.
“The
weather this week has been very challenging but this hasn’t impacted the
determination and focus of local teams and their drive to vaccinate our
patients.
“Despite
our continued focus on making sure that as many people as possible receive
their first dose, it is vital that people continue to follow the latest
Coronavirus guidance. Having the first and even second dose of the vaccine
doesn’t mean that people can stop following the guidance.”
Background:
Latest Covid
statistics:
Cases, as of the 6th
of February:
There have been 1,760 cases
in the seven days to 6th of February – this is 718 fewer,
compared to the same time last week Comparison to the 30th
January
the seven day incidence rate
is 194 per 100,000 – this is a reduction of 79, compared to the week
previously Comparison to the 30th January
District
incidence levels per 100,000 as of the 6th of February (and
comparison to the same time the previous week Comparison to the 30th
January):
Breckland:
195 (down from 315)Broadland:
179 (down from 241)Great
Yarmouth: 231 (down from 357)King’s
Lynn and West Norfolk: 248 (down from 310)North
Norfolk: 109 (down from 137)Norwich:
263 (down from 327)South
Norfolk: 116 (down from 209)
Hospital activity:
Covid 19 occupied beds: 461
on 9th of February – a reduction of 115 compared to this time
last week (2nd February)
Intensive care: 34 on 9th
of February – a reduction of 30, compared to last week
Hospital deaths: 1,372 to
February 9th – an increase of 77 compared to last week
Outbreaks as of the 10th
of February (and comparison to the same time last week):
165 Open Outbreaks in care
settings (down 3); 67 in businesses (down 2); 41 in education settings
(up 6); and 35 in health & emergency settings (down 10)
Deaths (registered up to the
6th of February):
Deaths
that have occurred up to the 29th January that have been
registered up to the 6th February: 1,544 COVID19 deaths in Norfolk
so far, an increase of 153 deaths compared to last week at 22nd
January
Vaccination
programme update from NHS Norfolk & Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group:
We
now have 31 sites across Norfolk and Waveney offering the vaccines: five
‘hospital hubs’ (including NSFT and NCH&C), 21 PCN sites, four large
vaccination centres and one pharmacyDespite
the challenging weather, the Norfolk and Waveney vaccination programme has
continued to make rapid progress this week. Thanks to the dedication of
vaccination teams, coupled with the help of many people, including council
colleagues, the Police and the Fire and Rescue Service, there has been very
minimal disruption to the programmeNHSE/I
publishes weekly data at system level. This shows that up to Sunday, 31
January: 22% of our 16+ population had received
a first dose of vaccine, putting us third out of the 42 health and care
systems in England (the national average was 17.8%). 91% of our over 80s had been
vaccinated by Sunday, compared to 88% nationally. In the last week alone we have given a
further 50,200 doses (across all ages and cohorts)This
makes Norfolk and Waveney the top performing health system in the East of
England region in terms of percentage of over 80s vaccinated and percentage
of total adult population vaccinated to dateThis
is despite having the second highest proportion of over 80s in the country
(8.4% compared to the national average of 6.2%.)The
next data release is due to be published later todayNorfolk
and Waveney has offered all of its over 80s, registered with a GP practice,
the opportunity to have booked and received their vaccination by 31 January,
which was the target set by the GovernmentThe
NHS, councils and the voluntary sector have worked closely together to
identify, invite and vaccinate health and care workers. We have offered all
eligible workers the opportunity to be
vaccinated We
are confident that we have offered everyone in the top four JCVI priority
groups the opportunity to have received their first dose of vaccine, where it
has been safe to do soOn
Monday, 8 February, the Government announced: People aged 70 and over, and those on
the Shielded Patients List, who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19
and who would like to be should contact the NHS to arrange a jabUntil now the NHS has asked people to
wait until they are contacted to help ensure that those who are most
vulnerable are protected first – and that remains the case for most people.
However, to ensure absolutely everyone is offered the vaccine, people aged 70
and over can now contact the NHS so they can be vaccinated by the middle of
this monthThe easiest way to arrange a
vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. The system allows patients to choose
a time slot and location that suits them. Anyone unable to book online can
call 119 free of chargeIf a suitable and convenient slot is
not available people can also call their GP practiceMany who have not yet booked an
appointment are already receiving follow up letters and phone calls this week
to encourage them to take up the offer of a jab More
information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme is available on the NHS
Norfolk and Waveney CCG website: www.norfolkandwaveneyccg.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccination-programme.
ENDS
Symptom-free
Testing Locations for Next Week – 15/02/2021 to 19/02/2021
Kings
Lynn: all site operating 10am to 4pm
St
James Swimming Pool – Town, South & West Lynn – Monday to FridayOasis
Leisure Centre – Hunstanton – Monday to FridayFairstead
Community Centre – Monday to Friday
Great
Yarmouth:
Hawkins
Close Community Room – Yarmouth North – Wednesday to Friday Opening times: Wednesday 17th
12 noon to 7pm, Thursday 18th 7am to 2pm, Friday 19th
8am to 4pmThe
Old Hall – Caister on Sea – Monday to Tuesday Opening times: 8am to 4pm, Monday and
TuesdayVillage
Hall – Hemsby – Tuesday to Wednesday Opening times: 8am to 4pm, Tuesday and
WednesdayAll
Saints Village Hall – Scratby – Thursday to Friday Opening times: 8am to 4pm, Thursday
and Friday
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 |