Agenda item

(To receive a verbal update from Derek Ward, Director of Public Health, which updates the Committee on the latest position with Covid-19)

The Chairman invited Derek Ward, Director of Public Health to update the Committee on the latest position regarding Covid-19.

The Committee noted that Lincolnshire had seen prior to the start, and during the first two weeks of the lockdown, which had begun on 5 November 2020, an increase in the rate of infection, particularly in the East Lindsey and Boston areas; and that this had resulted in outbreak management being applied for both districts to target specific areas.

It was reported that during the previous ten days there had been a reduction in the rate of infection across the whole of the county.  The Committee was advised that the infection rate for Lincolnshire overall was now at 240 per 100,000 population, compared to the England rate of 230 per 100,000 population.  The Committee noted further that the rate for East Lindsey had dropped from 420 to 330 (as at 24 November 2020).  It was also highlighted that the rate for Boston had also reduced, as had the infection rate for those aged over 60.

The Committee was advised that in Lincolnshire, around 25,000 tests for Covid-19 were being completed every day; and that this figure had been maintained for a number of weeks, which contributed to the knowledge on the spread of Covid-19.

It was reported that the Covid-19 Winter Plan published by the Government on 23 November 2020 set out arrangements for managing the virus from 2 December 2020, when the national lockdown would be lifted.  The Plan also provided details of the revised tiering system and the steps that needed to be taken to help get the country back to some normality.  The Committee was advised that the Government's strategy had three objectives:

·Bringing the R below 1 and keeping it there on a sustained basis.  (It was noted that once a vaccine had been approved by the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the vaccination programme, would be implemented; that more testing would be done and that more investment would be made into further treatment for Covid-19);

·Finding new and more effective ways of managing and enabling life to return closer to normal; and

·   Minimising damage to the economy and society, jobs and livelihoods. Education to be safeguarded in nurseries, schools, colleges and universities.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:

·     The effect of neighbouring areas on Lincolnshire's infection rate figures.  The Committee noted that this was a contributory factor in the East Lindsey area, as residents were travelling in and out of the county for work.  It was highlighted that the advice in the Covid-19 Winter Plan was to encourage people to work from home wherever possible;

·     Whether a case had been made to the government for the need for local control, particularly in Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that representation had been made for Lincolnshire and that the outcome would be known more when the government announced its allocation of tiers to particular areas;

·     Testing – The Committee was advised that people were coming forward to be tested with 25,000 people being tested daily. The Committee noted that the ideal mass testing scenario for Lincolnshire was to deliver testing at scale in risk areas.  It was noted that some targeted testing was planned for Skegness with the deployment of the mobile testing unit;

·     Time lag of data - One particular example give was the rate for the over 60's in the East Lindsey area.  The figure quoted was 617.  The Committee was advised that this figures was now below 400 and that the difference in the numbers was due to a time lag in the data received.  It was confirmed that the figure had reduced over the last 7 days and that it was hopeful that it would be reducing further;

·      Hospital activity – The Committee was advised that hospitals had been very busy and that bed capacity fluctuated on a daily basis.  It was noted that the 'green site' arrangements at Grantham Hospital had enabled elective surgery to continue;

·     Vaccinations – Reassurance was given that Lincolnshire had the capacity to deliver the number of vaccines required.  It was noted that the vaccination programme was hoped to be starting at the start of December and continuing into March 2021.  It was hoped that with the vaccination programme and improved treatments, that by the spring the situation would be improving;

·     One You Lincolnshire – The Committee was advised that any person wishing to stop smoking had access to a dedicated package of support available from the One You Lincolnshire Website.  It was noted that the enhanced weight management offer was targeted at those in high risks groups and those awaiting elective surgery;

·      The need for any communication nationally or locally concerning Covid-19 to be simple and straight forward to avoid unnecessary confusion.  The Committee was advised that the message to remember was Hands, Face, and Space at all times, and that individuals needed to carefully consider their personal situation over the Christmas period; and

·     Virus Spread – The Committee was advised that as the virus was new, evidence was still being gathered.  Reassurance was given that opening schools had not increased the infection rate; and that the professional view was that having schools open provided health and educational benefits for the children.  It was highlighted that schools operated in a safe manner and that most of the cases in schools had had been caught outside of the school setting.  

In conclusion, the Committee extended their thanks for all work being undertaken by the Director of Public Health and his team in providing daily updates, and providing help and support to everyone across Lincolnshire.  The Director of Public Health also expressed his support to schools, and care homes and domiciliary care and the NHS staff for their continuing efforts across the system. 

The Chairman extended his thanks on behalf of the Committee to the Director of Public Health for his update.

RESOLVED

That the update on Covid-19 by the Director of Public Health be noted and the Committee's thanks for all work being undertaken by the Director of Public Health and his team in providing daily updates, and providing help and support be recorded.