Covid briefing: Monday 13 December 2021
Contingency arrangements stepped up
Following the national announcements around the new Omicron covid-19 variant, the Council and Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) contingency planning arrangements are being stepped up.
The Council Resilience Management Team (CRMT) and the HSCP Local Resilience Management Team (LRMT) both continued to meet in recent months, but increased frequency pf meetings will be taking place as part of enhanced contingency planning arrangements which will also include a review of the business continuity plans. The Council’s Corporate Management Team (CMT) has also re-established its regular ‘Covid CMT’ meetings to oversee plans including increased activity around support for those self-isolating.
Booster vaccine rollout
From today (Monday) the vaccine booster is available for booking to 30-39 year olds and later this week it is expected to be open to 18-29 year olds. NHS Inform website has a great deal of information on there about the vaccination itself and you can, if you are eligible, book an appointment: https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/roll-up-your-sleeves
Self-isolation changes
The rules around self-isolation changed over the weekend so please make sure you are aware of the need to isolate and for how long: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-infection
Here is the updated guidance from 11 December 2021 but as we have seen in the past two years guidance can change on an almost daily basis so it is worth checking regularly:
Close contacts
This advice is effective from midnight (12.00am) 11 December 2021. Until this time, please follow the advice received with your test result. If you were identified as a case or close contact before this time please continue to follow the advice you have already been given.
Close contacts should self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible.
If you or someone you care for is identified as a contact and advised to take a PCR test, but have been told by a medical professional that you or they are unable to do so for a medical reason, discuss this with Test and Protect when they contact you.
If you're fully vaccinated
If you are a close contact who lives with someone who has tested positive you should isolate for 10 days even if:
- you have had a negative PCR result
- you're fully vaccinated - this means you’ve received 2 doses of an approved vaccine and have had your second dose more than 14 days ago
- you have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 90 days
Household contacts you must always complete the 10-day self-isolation. This includes those under 18 years old. Some health and social care workers may be exempt.
As a close contact (non-household), you can end self-isolation if all of the following apply:
- you're fully vaccinated - this means you’ve received 2 doses of an approved vaccine and have had your second dose more than 14 days ago
- you receive a negative PCR test result
- you do not have, or develop, symptoms
If you’re a close contact (non-household) and you’ve tested positive for coronavirus in the last 90 days, you do not have to self-isolate or book a test if you’re fully vaccinated unless you develop new symptoms.
Business ventilation fund
The Scottish Government’s Business Ventilation Fund will help businesses improve ventilation and air quality on their premises to help reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. The fund will allow businesses to claim back costs to improve ventilation of up to £2500. Support will target high-risk settings where people come into close proximity, such as hospitality and leisure sectors.
Applications will be accepted until Thursday 31 March 2022 or until the fund runs out, whichever comes first. More information, including eligibility criteria, is available at: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/business-ventilation-fund
Vaccinators recruitment
Right across the UK a booster programme is being launched to offer the vaccine to everyone eligible by the end of this month. NHS Scotland is currently recruiting for vaccinators, so please spread the word to anyone you think could be interested in joining the team of vaccinators: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/covid-vaccinator-recruitment/
Public Health Scotland urges public to defer Christmas parties
Given the number of COVID-19 outbreaks that are being linked to Christmas parties, particularly those caused by Omicron, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is urging people to defer such parties at this time.
The full statement is published below:
Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science and Medical Director, PHS explains: “There is much that we still need to learn about Omicron, but early evidence suggests that this new Covid variant is much more transmissible. The impact of this transmissibility has been seen in recent weeks, with a number of Omicron outbreaks linked to parties. We still need to learn more about the severity of disease caused by Omicron and the effectiveness of vaccines, but there are important things that we can do to help protect ourselves and our families now. To help minimise the further spread of Covid-19, and Omicron in particular, I would strongly urge people to defer their Christmas parties to another time. I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last twenty months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
A reminder of the other measures we can all take to continue to keep safe over the festive period:
- Please get your vaccine and your booster when your turn comes.
- Please test at least twice weekly using LFDs and take a test each time you are socialising with people out with your household.
- Reduce the number of people you catch up with. Try to meet outdoors; if indoors, ensure ventilation is good.
- Keep up the other public health measures: wash your hands, clean surfaces, maintain distances and of course wear a face covering in public spaces.
#protectInverclyde
Promotion of covid-related messaging is being increased to further promote essential messages including vaccination, testing, hand hygiene, face coverings and physical distancing. If you share covid messages using the hashtag #protectInverclyde it will help to link friends and family to important updates.