Agenda item

(To receive a report from Michelle Andrews, Assistant Director – Corporate Recovery, which provides an update on Covid-19 in Lincolnshire)

Consideration was given to a report by the Assistant Director – Corporate Recovery, which provided an update on Covid-19 in Lincolnshire.

Members were referred to paragraph 2 of the report, which set out the latest data on Covid-19 within Lincolnshire, as of 23^rd August 2022, including:

·         The rate of Positive Cases per 100,000 Population was 26.5 (11th June 2021) in comparison to the 23rd August 2021, which was reported at 326.7 per 100,000.

·         On the 13th June 2021, Lincolnshire Covid-19 cases reported in the last seven day period was 202, in comparison to the figure reported on the 23rd August 2021 which was 2487.

·         Deaths reported in the last seven day period up to the 13th June 2021 for Lincolnshire as defined below was reported as 0, however in the last seven day period up to 23rd August 2021 it was reported as 7.

·         The number of Covid-19 vaccines administered up to the 6th June 2021 for Lincolnshire was 861,263, as of the 19th August 2021 this was reported as 1,056,410.

It was anticipated nationally that as the restrictions were lifted, Covid-19 case rates, hospitalisations and deaths would increase; however due to the success of the vaccination programme, hospitalisations were expected to rise more slowly than in previous waves.

The council continued to assess and remain cautious to the risks of Covid-19 as protecting the public’s health and mitigating harm to the county's residents, families, and vulnerable people continued to be the priority as preparations were made for a long term recovery.

Members considered the report and during the discussion the following points were noted:

• Officers were working closely with colleagues in Public Health to ensure they were working within the guidance set by the government and promoting the correct message.
• Officers were confident that school leaders, head teachers and staff would take appropriate action to keep children safe within the school setting.

·         The Chief Executive advised that Lincolnshire's schools had followed national guidance throughout the pandemic. The current guidance was that pupils would not be required to wear a face covering upon their return to school in September. Each school worked closely with the council's health protection team and Members were assured that officers would work closely with schools where cases were increasing to prevent further spread.

·         Members raised concerns about possible scare-mongering around the vaccine in certain areas which looked to discourage children from taking the covid-19 vaccine.

·         Members were concerned that a return of pupils to school for the new school year could lead to a further rise in cases. Officers acknowledged that there was a need to educate young people on the preventative measures that could be used to reduce the spread of the virus, particularly in conjunction with the return of children to school for the new school year.

·         There had been a positive number of young people aged 16/17 years   taking  up vaccinations it was acknowledged that  a drop-in service rather than an appointment service had increased opportunites for take up.

·         Assurance was provided that officers constantly reviewed new guidance and adapted the Council's approach in line with any changes in guidance.

·         The Chief Executive explained that if those of school age were to be offered the vaccine in future, all options for locations in line with any national policy and guidance would be considered, including mass vaccination in the school settings as has been the case with previous vaccination roll-outs.

·         A range of venues were being considered as possible vaccination centres, including venues within the community that were frequently attended by young people, to enable an effective response following a national decision.

·         The decision of whether to vaccinate children was not a local decision to be made by the County Council or Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, and vaccinations were also an NHS function. The Council would follow the national requirements regarding vaccination.

·         At this point there had been no specific guidance with regards to mandatory vaccination of children under the age of 16 against covid-19. However, under current vaccination programmes, children still had a right to access education regardless of their vaccination status.

·         With regards to the vaccination of Looked after Children, where the council had parental responsibility, teams within the council would engage and agree a plan of action in collaboration with the young person. If a solution could not be found, it was likely that this would be a matter for the courts. However, the Chief Executive was not aware of a situation where a decision was not able to be agreed with regards to the vaccination of a looked after child.

·         It was agreed that a further update be provided to the Board at their meeting in September.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the report be noted;

2.      That a further update be scheduled for the meeting on 30 September 2021.