Coronavirus Updates

Leek residents who attended the first pop up clinic:

Calling all Leek residents – If you had your first dose of the vaccine at the Leek pop up clinics, you can book your second vaccine at Leek Moorlands Hospital, please note this is only for LEEK (ST13) residents who had their first dose at the last pop up clinic

Book your second dose here:

5th August: Book here

6th August: Book here

Walk-in vaccination centres open this month

Have you had your COVID-19 vaccine yet?

NHS Covid Vaccine Walk-in clinics are available throughout August.

No booking is required.

For dates and venues click the link here

Please note that all second doses are only available after 8+ weeks of your first vaccination, if you attend a walk-in clinic before the 8 weeks, you will be turned away

Step 4 – Lifting Covid – 19 restrictions across the UK.

While cases are high and rising, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why we are keeping in place key protections:

• testing when you have symptoms and targeted asymptomatic testing in education, high-risk workplaces and to help people manage their personal risk.
• isolating when positive or when contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
• border quarantine: for all arriving from red list countries and for those people not fully vaccinated arriving from amber list countries.
• cautious guidance for individuals, businesses and the vulnerable whilst prevalence is high including:
• whilst Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, Government would expect and recommend a gradual return over the summer
• Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport;
• being outside or letting fresh air in
• minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
• encouraging and supporting businesses and large events to use the NHS COVID Pass in high-risk settings. The Government will work with organisations where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household to encourage the use of this. If sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection, the Government will consider mandating certification in certain venues at a later date.

Although most legal restrictions have been lifted at step 4, and many people have been vaccinated, it is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated, and we are still in the third wave of this pandemic in the UK.

COVID-19 will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, so we need to learn to live with it and manage the risk to ourselves and others.

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, it is important that we all use personal judgement to manage our own risk. All of us can play our part by exercising common sense and considering the risks. While no situation is risk-free, there are actions we can take to protect ourselves and others around us. Following this guidance will help you stay safe and protect others by controlling the spread. Every action to help reduce the spread will reduce any further resurgence of the virus in the coming months.

Lifting restrictions

Most legal restrictions to control COVID-19 have been lifted at step 4. This means that:

• You do not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with. There are also no limits on the number of people you can meet.
• However, in order to minimise risk at a time of high prevalence, you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually. This includes minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
• You should meet outdoors where possible and let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces.
• The Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can. However, the Government expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer.
• The requirement to wear face coverings in law has been lifted. However, the Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.
• There are no longer limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and other life events (including receptions and celebrations). There is no requirement for table service at life events, or restrictions on singing or dancing. You should follow guidance for weddings and funerals to reduce risk and protect yourself and others.
• There are no longer restrictions on group sizes for attending communal worship. COVID-19 has not gone away, so it’s important to remember the actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe. Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.

We’re proud to support the Pandemic Action Network on World Mask Week 2021. This social-led initiative will begin on Monday, July 12 and conclude on Sunday, July 18. World Mask Week is a global movement to emphasize the importance of continued masking as we get closer to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and thank those who have done their part to get us here.

This year is on track to be a deadlier year in the pandemic than 2020, but the context is different. As the pandemic continues amidst fatigue in much of the world, we are increasingly seeing a two-track pandemic where the pandemic persists in some countries and regions while others are lifting restrictions.

The science is clear: masking, in combination with handwashing and physical distancing, continues to be an effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19. As variants spread around the world, we must stay focused on what keeps us safe. Help us spread mask-wearing messages by getting involved in the #WorldMaskWeek conversation on social media. Share a picture of you in your favourite mask and tag someone to say #ThanksforMasking!

Guidance on shielding for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people

Although shielding ended on April 1st for Clinically extremely vulnerable people there are many who are seriously ill and wish to take further precautions against catching Covid-19.

The government has issued new guidance for those wishing to limit contact and take additional precautions against Covid-19.

The guidance comes into effect from 19th July when most restrictions will be lifted. Read more

Covid-19 Vaccination

All adults over 18 can book to have their Covid-19 vaccination now

Book online at nhs.uk or call 119.

People under 39 will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Pregnant women will also be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

For most younger people COVID-19 is usually a milder illness that rarely leads to complications. For a few people, the symptoms may last for longer than the usual 2 to 3 weeks. The vaccination will help to protect you against COVID-19.

In the second phase of the programme the vaccine will be offered to those under 50 years old in the following order:

• 40 to 49 years
• 30 to 39 years
• 18 years and over

The risk remains higher in older ages. For example, the risk of dying from COVID-19 in someone aged 40 to 49 is 3 times higher than someone in the 30 to 39 year age group and 12 times higher than someone in the 20 to 29 year age group.

The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and 2 doses will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill. We do not yet know how much it will reduce the chance of you catching and passing on the virus. So, it is important to continue to protect those around you.

Remember to protect yourself and your family, friends and colleagues you MUST still follow any national or local restrictions and:

• practise social distancing
• wear a face mask
• wash your hands regularly
• open windows to let fresh air in
• follow the current guidance

After you have had the first dose you need to plan to attend your second appointment. You should have a record card and your next appointment should be between 3 and 8 weeks later.

Although the first dose will give you good protection, you need the second dose to get longer-lasting protection.

Keep your record card safe and make sure you keep your next appointment to get your second dose

Covid Vaccine Fact sheet here      

Delta Covid-19 Variant identified in Staffordshire.

The government has announced a 4-week pause at Step 3. Step 3 restrictions remain in place, and you should follow the guidance on this page, which explains what you can and cannot do.

It is expected that England will move to Step 4 on 19 July, though the data will be reviewed after 2 weeks in case the risks have reduced. The government will continue to monitor the data and the move to Step 4 will be confirmed one week in advance.

The new COVID-19 variant (known as Delta) spreads more easily than the other variants that were previously most common. To help stop the spread, you should:

• Get both doses of the vaccine when you are offered it, and encourage others to do so as well
• Participate in surge testing in your local area, whether you are vaccinated or not
• Self-isolate immediately if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) or if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19

Testing is available: 

Pharmacies – for testing or collection 

Pop up testing – find your local site

Libraries –

• Biddulph
• Burntwood
• Burton
• Cannock
• Kidsgrove
• Leek
• Newcastle
• Perton
• Rugeley
• Stafford
• Stone
• Tamworth
• Uttoxeter
• Wombourne

Test centres –

People can also collect two kits from national testing sites between 2.30 pm and 8 pm. Testing for people with symptoms takes place outside these hours. You do not need to make an appointment.

The Government’s national testing sites where collection is available in Staffordshire are:

• Burton Town Hall
• Keele Science and Innovation Park
• Spinning School Lane Car Park in Tamworth

Online – nhs.uk/Get-Tested

Order for home delivery – post

Education facilities where your child attends

School

College

Nursery

You should self-isolate immediately if you have symptoms or a positive test result for COVID-19.

For a full list of upcoming testing, sites go to the Community Test Sites Appointment System page.

People with Covid symptoms should not attend and should self-isolate and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or ring 119.

For further information on all of the testing options available for people in Staffordshire visit: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/testing.

Free lateral flow tests for all.

About 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others.

Getting tested regularly is the only way to know if you have the virus. If people test positive and self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading.

“Everyone can now get a free rapid Covid-19 test.
They show results in 30 minutes.
They also show you’re doing all you can to protect those around you.”

Find out where to get your lateral flow tests here

Test yourself twice a week and add your results to GOV.UK covid reporting site.

Healthwatch Staffordshire Update

During the current Coronavirus outbreak, Healthwatch Staffordshire staff are currently following guidance and operating from home locations. The Healthwatch Staffordshire service will continue to be provided.

To contact us, use the messaging facility on our website HERE

Email: enquiries@healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk

Healthwatch Staffordshire

We’re an independent organisation set up to champion the views of patients and social care users in Staffordshire, with the goal of making services better and improving health and wellbeing. We want to hear about your views, needs and experiences to help Staffordshire get the best possible health and care.

Your views matter

The Long Term Plan sets out what the NHS wants to do better, including:

• Making it easier for people to access support closer to home and via technology
• Doing more to help people stay well
• Providing better support for people with cancer, mental health conditions, heart and lung diseases, long-term conditions, such as diabetes and arthritis, learning disabilities and autism, and for people as they get older and experience conditions such as dementia.

Your local NHS needs to hear from you about what it should do to make care better for your community.

Share your views and help make care better.