Information on Coronavirus 2021

Yesterday (21 Feb), the Prime Minister announced a plan to safely live with and manage COVID-19. This plan includes four main pillars:

• Removing domestic restrictions, while encouraging safer behaviours through public health advice
• Protecting the vulnerable through pharmaceutical interventions and testing, in line with other viruses
• Maintaining resilience against future variants, including through ongoing surveillance, contingency planning and the ability to reintroduce key capabilities such as mass vaccination and testing in an emergency
• Securing innovations and opportunities from the COVID-19 response

The public are encouraged to continue to follow public health advice, however yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed that all domestic legal restrictions will end on Thursday (24 Feb) as we begin to treat COVID-19 as other infectious diseases, such as flu.

This means that from Thursday (24 Feb):

• The remaining domestic restrictions in England will be removed
• You will no longer be legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. New guidance (not yet published) will advise people who test positive to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five full days, and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received two negative test results on consecutive days
• You will no longer be legally required to self-isolate if you are an unvaccinated close contact, and will no longer be advised to test for seven days if you are a fully vaccinated close contact.
• New guidance will set out precautions for reducing risk to yourself and others
• Self-isolation support payments, national funding for practical support and the medicine delivery service will no longer be available
• Routine contact tracing, including venue check-ins on the NHS COVID-19 app, will end

From 1 April, the Government will:

• Update guidance setting out the ongoing steps that people with COVID-19 should take to be careful and considerate of others, similar to advice on other infectious diseases. This will align with testing changes
• Remove the current guidance on voluntary COVID-status certification in domestic settings and no longer recommend that certain venues use the NHS COVID Pass
• No longer provide free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public in England
• Remove the health and safety requirement for every employer to explicitly consider COVID-19 in their risk assessments

More information about the changes announced yesterday can be found on the Government’s website, with the full plan available here.

How to stay safe and prevent the spread of the virus

The Prime Minister has announced these changes to encourage us to move towards life beyond the pandemic, as safely as possible. However, it’s important to remember that there are still things we can all do to keep protecting ourselves and others as much as we can. This includes:

• Getting your COVID-19 vaccine, including your booster vaccine, as soon as possible if you haven’t already done so
• Regularly washing your hands with soap or hand sanitiser
• Letting fresh air into enclosed spaces
• Wearing a face covering in crowded or enclosed spaces

Find out more about how you can help prevent the spread.

Vaccine clinics in Swindon

Yesterday, the Prime Minister also announced that an autumn annual booster programme is under consideration, subject to further advice. The Government has accepted the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) recommendation to offer an additional booster to all adults aged over 75, all residents in care homes for older adults, and all over 12s who are immunosuppressed.

For now, you can visit the NHS website to book a first, second and third booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. This week we will also be holding two walk-in vaccine clinics in Swindon, offering first, second and booster vaccine doses:

• Today (22 Feb) from 10am to 6pm – Sanford House, Sanford Street, Swindon, SN1 1HE
• Thursday (24 Feb) from 9am to 4pm – St Luke’s Hall, Broad St, Swindon SN1 2DS

Visit our website and take a look under ‘getting vaccinated’ for all our upcoming vaccine clinics. You can also find the dates of other local walk-in clinics on the NHS walk-in site finder.

Swindon residents who are experiencing financial hardship or who have mobility issues and no practical means to get to a local vaccination centre, can still book a free return taxi journey to a COVID-19 vaccination site until the end of March.

From Friday 24 September invitations for COVID-19 booster vaccines have been sent out by the NHS across Swindon to all those currently eligible for a third dose.

This is priority groups 1-9 who received the vaccination in Phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including people over 50, health and social care workers, care home residents and people aged between 16 and 64 with an underlying health condition.

The invitations, which will arrive in the form of a nationally-circulated letter or a text from a local GP practice, will encourage people to book their appointments through the National Booking Service. Using the service will allow people to choose to have their vaccine at the site most convenient to them, which in some cases may be different from where their first two jabs were given.

We know that many people are keen to keep their COVID-19 immunity topped up, and this is fantastic to see, but the NHS do ask that those expecting a booster vaccine wait to be contacted, as invitations will only be sent six months after the date of a person’s last vaccination, with those who had their vaccines early being called up first.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, make sure you arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible. This still applies even if you have received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Read the full E-Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.com/l5o0e4/1782020330970158485/y2x4/

Both in Swindon and across the country, the pandemic has created backlogs of patients waiting for routine operations and treatment.

The Government has said it expects waiting lists to get worse before they get better as people come forward for help. Relieving the burden of COVID-19, adding to existing pressures on hospital bed capacity and our GPs, can only help.

The Great Western Hospital (GWH) has recently seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 admissions. As of today (10 September), it is treating 48 patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 – which is around a 50% increase from this time last week. Five of these patients are currently in intensive care including some in their 20s and 30s.

Many of these patients have not received either dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The GWH is treating far more people under the age of 55 than during the first wave of the pandemic and 85% of patients in this age group are not vaccinated.

Read more

The Parish Council has agreed to be a local collection point for Covid lateral flow test kits. You will be able to collect these kits from the Old Chapel on Butts Road during the following times:

• Monday 9th August 12-2pm
• Monday 16th August 12-2pm
• Wednesday 18th August 12-2pm
• Monday 23rd Aug 12-2pm
• Wednesday 25th Aug 12-2pm
• Wednesday 1st Sept 12-2pm

And then every Monday and Wednesday 12-2pm until the scheme ends.

There is no need to book, just turn up.

The NHS is operating a walk-in vaccination clinic at the STEAM Museum in Swindon tomorrow (Saturday, 17 July) between 9am – 2pm. It operates on a first come, first served basis, administering first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

On Sunday (18 July), the vaccine bus will be at the County Ground in Swindon with staff administering the AstraZeneca vaccination. Those aged 40 and over can receive their first or second dose as long as they do not have an appointment booked already.

Getting both doses of the vaccine, as soon as you have the opportunity, is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and others.

Unfortunately COVID-19 cases in Swindon and across England are increasing rapidly and the third wave, forecast by the Government, is underway. The Great Western Hospital has also seen a rise in COVID-19 patients in recent days.

Cases will continue to rise as restrictions are eased from next Monday (19 July). Hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths will also continue, albeit thankfully at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme.

Although many of the legal restrictions that the Government has imposed through the pandemic will be lifted at Step 4, please make sure you’re familiar with the new guidance to protect yourself and others. This includes:

• wearing face coverings in crowded and enclosed areas will be recommended and expected
• limiting the close contact you have with those you do not live with, and increasing contact gradually

Now we are in the third wave, it’s up to all of us to act carefully and cautiously.

Read the full E-Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.com/m1z7i0/1731293243947095879/m2q4/

Yesterday (12 July), the Prime Minister announced that Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown will go ahead from next Monday (19 July).

At Step 4, the Government will remove the final restrictions on social contact and life events, and open the remaining closed businesses and venues. These changes include:

• Removing restrictions on how many people can meet in any setting, indoors or outdoors
• The opening of all settings, including nightclubs. Large events like music concerts and sporting events can resume without attendance limits. Organisers are encouraged to use vaccine certification
• All restrictions on life events such as weddings, funerals, bar/bat mitzvahs and baptisms will be removed
• The legal requirement to wear a face covering will be lifted in all settings, though it will still be expected and recommended that you wear one if you are coming into contact with people you don’t normally meet in crowded, indoor areas like public transport
• Social distancing rules will be lifted, although you should continue to consider the risks of close contact with others, particularly if you’re clinically extremely vulnerable or not yet fully vaccinated

The Government is no longer instructing people to work from home. It is expected and recommended that a gradual return to the workplace will take place over the summer

For more information, including what you need to know, visit the Government’s website.

Read the full E-newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.com/k7x1h3/1728960086094649019/p8g1/

From SBC:
To note, as the bus can only carry AstraZenica vaccine, it can only vaccinate those aged over 40 but will be doing first and second doses. We are now focusing on weekend dates to drive uptake. Anyone that presents at the bus who is under 40 will be supported to book their vaccine online, as the team present will have iPads.

Sat 17/07/2021 Abbey Park School, Redhouse Wy., Redhouse, Blunsdon St Andrew, Swindon, SN25 2ND 9am-1pm

Sat 17/07/2021 Abbey Park School, Redhouse Wy., Redhouse, Blunsdon St Andrew, Swindon, SN25 2ND 2pm-6pm

Sun 18/07/2021 The County Ground, County Rd, Swindon SN1 2ED 10am-4pm

Sat 31/07/2021 Swindon Hindu Temple, 103 Darby Cl, Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, Swindon, SN2 2YZ 9am-1pm

Sat 31/07/2021 Lydiard Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon SN5 3PA (Learning Disability Special Quiet Clinic) 2pm-6pm

Sat 07/08/2021 Wharf Green, Brunel Centre, 54 Canal Walk, Swindon SN1 1LL 9am-1pm

Sat 07/08/2021 Wharf Green, Brunel Centre, 54 Canal Walk, Swindon SN1 1LL 2pm-6pm

Sun 08/08/2021 West Swindon Shopping Centre, Swindon SN5 7DL 10am-4pm

Sat 14/08/2021 Abbey Park School, Redhouse Wy., Redhouse, Blunsdon St Andrew, Swindon, SN25 2ND 9am-1pm

Sat 14/08/2021 Abbey Park School, Redhouse Wy., Redhouse, Blunsdon St Andrew, Swindon, SN25 2ND 2pm-6pm

Sun 15/08/2021 The County Ground, County Rd, Swindon SN1 2ED 10am-4pm

On Monday (21 June), there were a small number of changes made to the current restrictions around weddings, commemorative services, pilot events, care home visits and domestic residential visits for children. All other step 3 restrictions remain in place until 19 July, make sure you know what you can and cannot do.

Everyone over the age of 18 can now book their COVID-19 vaccine. As of this week, over 100,000 residents have had both doses. This means that 41% of adults in the Borough are now far less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms, are even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, be admitted to hospital, or to die from the virus.

It’s important we all remember that you can still catch and spread COVID-19 even if you’ve had both doses of the jab. That is why we all need to keep following the Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air guidelines, access testing regularly and self-isolate if symptoms develop or if we’re contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Read the full E-Newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.com/v6o8e1/1716055318431012816/d8m9/

You probably know by now that around one in three people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms. That’s why getting tested regularly is the only way to help stop the virus spreading.

You should do a rapid test twice a week (every 3 to 4 days) to check if you have the virus. If you test positive and self-isolate, it will help protect others from becoming infected.

This is even more important considering the Delta variant now accounts for over 90 per cent of cases across the country. We know this variant spreads more easily, and there’s evidence that the risk of hospitalisation is higher than for the previously dominant Alpha variant.

If you have no symptoms:

• get regular rapid lateral flow tests

If you have coronavirus symptoms:

• get a PCR test
• stay at home

On Monday (14 June), the Government announced that there will be a four-week pause at Step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown. So Step 3 restrictions remain in place, as they have done since 17 May, and you should continue to follow the guidance on what you can and cannot do. There will be a review of the data after two weeks.

As of today (18 June) NHS England has extended the offer of a vaccine to everyone over the age of 18. Once vaccinated you are far less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms and are even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from the virus.

Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant. Please take up your first and second jab when called to do so.

If you have a question about the vaccine rollout in Swindon, this information may help.

Read the full E-Newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.com/s8h5u0/1711017068708500970/r5t6/

Yesterday (15 June), the Prime Minister announced that there will be a four-week pause at Step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown. This means that Step 3 restrictions remain in place, as they have done since 17 May, and you should continue to follow the guidance on 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 two weeks in case the risks have reduced. The move to Step 4 will be confirmed one week in advance.

As Step 3 guidance remains, you can continue to socialise indoors in a group of up to six people or two households, including for overnight stays. Up to 30 people can meet outside. Pubs, theatres and other venues can open indoors. Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open for people on holiday.

However, some restrictions changed yesterday. From 21 June, there were changes to the rules on:

• weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and wedding receptions or civil partnership celebrations
• commemorative events following a death such as a wake, stone setting or ash scattering
• large events pilots
• care home visits
• domestic residential visits for children

You can read these changes and the latest guidance here.

For more information, including what you need to know about travelling internationally, visit the Government’s website.

Read the full E-Newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.com/f3q5g2/1708617245195769220/z3d4/

The Prime Minister is expected to announce next Monday (14 June) – based on the latest review of the evidence – whether or not further easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions (Step 4) can take place in England on 21 June.

The Government’s decision will be based on four tests:

1. The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
4. Its assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of COVID-19

The latest UK-wide data shows that cases of the Delta variant in England have risen by 29,892 since last week to 42,323. This includes 57 cases in Swindon since the variant was identified in April, although the current risk to the wider community is low.

New research suggests that the Delta variant is associated with an increased risk of household transmission compared to the Alpha variant (first identified in Kent).

With the Delta variant now accounting for the overwhelming majority of new cases in the UK, Public Health England comment that “it is encouraging to see that the increase in cases is not yet accompanied by a similarly large increase in hospitalisations.”

Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against the Delta variant. Once vaccinated, you are:

• unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from it
• there is growing evidence that vaccinated people are less likely to pass the virus to others

It’s up to all of us not to jeopardise the gains we’ve made. Please keep following the guidance and playing your part.

Read the full E-Newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.com/d0q9t5/1705951227931530279/k4g0/

New evidence shows for the first time that two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against the B1.617.2 variant first identified in India.

That is clearly positive news given the evidence suggests that this variant passes on more easily from person to person than the B.117 variant, first discovered in Kent. As of sending the newsletter (28 May), we have a small number of cases of the B1.617.2 variant in Swindon, however current risk to the wider community is low. But that may change at any time. We continue to monitor the situation closely working with Public Health England.

It reinforces why it’s so important to get both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine when you are invited and have the opportunity to do so. If you’re aged 30 or over, or if you turn 30 before 1 July 2021, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccine.

Please check this information if you have any questions about the vaccination programme in Swindon.

If you’re travelling out of the area this bank holiday weekend and mixing with others outside of your household or support bubble, please make sure you’re clear on the rules and try to:

• Meet outside rather than inside where possible
• Try to keep two metres apart from people that you don’t live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don’t live with
• Get tested twice a week for free and isolate if you are positive
• If you experience COVID-19 symptoms book a test and isolate, and make sure your close contacts also isolate
• Continue to work from home if you can
• Get vaccinated when you are offered it, and encourage others to do so as well

It’s up to all of us to do everything we can to prevent the case rate threatening our progress. Depending on what the latest evidence shows, the Prime Minister is due to provide an update on 14 June as to whether or not England can progress to Stage 4 of the roadmap from 21 June, at the earliest.

Read the full E-Newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.com/v2j7r8/1695762710462993574/l8e0/

The vaccine bus was last in Swindon at the Orbital on the 4th June. It is currently in Bath, North East Somerset and Wiltshire for the next few weeks. Exact details of when it will be back are still being planned. We will add a new post when we have updated details

This is exactly the time that across Swindon we need to be on our guard with the further easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions this week. As people mix and resume those activities now permitted by the rules, the risk of infection increases.

Remember coronavirus restrictions still remain in place across the country, including for everyone who has been vaccinated. If there’s one thing we have learnt in this pandemic, it’s that the situation can change quickly. We can make progress climbing a ladder, only to see that quickly slip away as we slide down a snake.

As of 19 May, across the UK there were 3,424 cases of the B1.617.2 variant first identified in India. Cases are still predominantly affecting the North West of England – particularly Bolton – and London, but we are seeing clusters of cases across the country. At the time of sending this newsletter (21 May), we don’t currently have any cases of the B1.617.2 variant in Swindon to be concerned about. But that may change at any time and we continue to monitor the situation closely, working with Public Health England.

The Government has said that the early evidence suggests that the B1.617.2 variant passes on more easily from person to person than the B.117 variant, first discovered in Kent. But the Government has increasing confidence that the vaccines are effective against it – which is why it’s so important that everyone comes forward to get the vaccine when they’re invited to.

Given the increased risk of transmitting COVID-19, we need to take particular caution when meeting anyone outside our household or support bubble. This will keep yourself and others safe. In particular, wherever possible, you should try to:

• Meet outside rather than inside
• Keep two metres apart from people that you don’t live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don’t live with
• Get tested twice a week for free
• Continue to work from home if you can
• Get vaccinated when you are offered it, and encourage others to do so as well

Swindon: it’s up to all of us.

As of today (23 April) the COVID-19 case rate in Swindon has increased to 30 per 100,000 compared to the England average of 24 per 100,000.

Swindon’s first mobile vaccination clinic – a specially adapted bus – took to the road this week. This will be an invaluable tool that will allow us to target areas with lower vaccination uptake.

It is never too late to change your mind if you have previously declined vaccination, and this new mobile clinic will be a huge boost in our efforts to protect those communities who, up until now, have been unsure of whether to have the vaccine. Details of when and where the mobile vaccination clinic will be located will be advertised to specific communities through ongoing outreach work happening with community leaders, faith groups and public health workers.

Over 107,000 Swindon residents have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, which is good news. It is still a Government target to vaccinate all those over the age of 18 by the end of July 2021. Recent analysis shows that the UK’s COVID-19 vaccination programme has so far prevented thousands of deaths in those aged 60 and above.

If you are planning to vote in the forthcoming local elections on 6 May, you may find these questions and answers helpful which includes steps being taken to make polling stations COVID-safe.

Anyone in England who is not displaying COVID-19 symptoms can now access free, regular, testing. One in three people who have COVID-19 do not display any symptoms and could be spreading the virus without knowing it. Regular testing will be an essential part of the easing of restrictions and will help to identify new cases of COVID-19 in Swindon and protect others from being infected.

In Swindon, residents will be able to access regular testing through a number of routes depending on individual circumstances. These routes include:

• Workplace testing programmes (both on-site or at home): if their employer offers workplace testing, this remains the best route for residents to access regular testing.
• Home ordering service: residents can order a box of tests from gov.uk or through 119, which will be delivered to their home.
• Pharmacy collect: a number of pharmacies across Swindon have signed up to offer pharmacy collect. Residents can use the NHS site finder to find out which local pharmacies they can pick up tests from.
• Education: secondary and college students are already being given tests to use at home twice a week, throughout term time and during the holidays.
• Symptom-free testing sites: we have a number of symptom-free testing sites in Swindon which residents are able to use. Residents can choose to either book an assisted test at one of our sites (this is recommended if it is their first time testing), or they can walk-in and collect home testing kits, subject to availability.

Wherever possible, please encourage residents to make use of this testing offer. More information about the different testing routes available can be found on the NHS website.

From 00:01am on Monday, 29 March the current restrictions will be slightly eased as we reach the next stage of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

Taking this next step will allow for a limited amount of mixing outdoors (including in private gardens) with either an additional household or in a group of up to six people. These new guidelines are a maximum, not a target. Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts can also reopen, allowing for formally organised outdoor sports to resume.

We know that it is safest to meet people outside in the fresh air. If you do meet others who you do not live with, it’s important that you follow the ‘Hands. Face. Space’ guidance – whether you’ve had the vaccine or not. You should also minimise travel, continue working from home if you can and must book a test if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

On 1 April, residents who are classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable will be able to stop shielding. The decision to pause shielding has been taken based on the latest scientific data. A copy of the letter issued by the Government can be viewed here.

We understand that you have been separated from the ones you love for a long time, so being able to meet with friends and family again will be a welcome relief. But we must keep following the guidelines so that we take this next step safely and ensure we don’t undo all of our hard work.

Swindon: it’s up to all of us to make this lockdown our last.

Latest COVID-19 case rate data

From 16-22 March, there were 167 new COVID-19 cases in Swindon, up from 146 between 9-15 March.

From 16-22 March, our case rate was 75 per 100k. The South West average was 29 per 100k and 57 per 100k for England.

If you’re eligible, book your vaccine now

Nearly half a million vaccines have been administered across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

If you’re over 50, have a health condition that puts you at greater risk, or are a health or social care worker and you haven’t booked your first dose, book it now or call 119.

• You can see a full list of everyone who is eligible to book a COVID vaccine here
• You can also find answers to your vaccine questions here

Home testing is now available at our symptom-free testing sites

You can now collect home testing kits from our symptom-free testing sites to test your household, childcare bubble or support bubble if at least one member:

• is a school, nursery or college pupil
• works in a school, nursery or college (this includes temporary workers and volunteers)
• works in an occupation related to a school, nursery or college

Please check the opening hours of the site you wish to attend before making the journey. If you are collecting home testing kits you do not need to book an appointment, simply turn up during opening hours.

If you meet the above eligibility criteria, you can also collect home testing kits from the symptomatic testing sites at Broadgreen Community Centre and Wroughton Park and Ride, or you can order a test online.

If it is your first time doing a test, we advise that you complete a test on site with the assistance of testing staff, so that you feel confident carrying out tests independently at home in the future. Eligible households are encouraged to take home tests twice a week. Find out more about home testing.

Unable to work from home? Book a symptom-free test

Protect the ones you love most. If your job requires you to leave home, please get tested regularly to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

One in three people who have coronavirus do not display any symptoms, so you could be passing on the virus without even knowing it.

Book a symptom-free test and receive your results back within two hours.

Over 4,500 children who receive means tested free school meals will be eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food programme this Easter, which helps provide access to fun activities and healthy food to children during the school holidays.

More information on the scheme and how to apply can be found on our website.

Five things you need to know

1. How can I reduce the spread of COVID-19 in my household?
2. What should I do if someone in my household has COVID-19, or has symptoms?
3. How and where can I get tested for COVID-19?
4. What do I need to do if I receive a positive or negative COVID-19 test result?
5. How is the COVID-19 vaccination being prioritised?

PM Boris Johnson has announced the government’s roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions in England.

Please follow the link to the Swindon Borough council Covid-19 update.

This includes updates from Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health and recent Swindon Covid-19 statistics.

SBC Covid-19 update: stick to the rules and stop the spread

This page on the SBC website has some useful links if you need financial support at the moment, including:

• Financial help if your income has been affected
• Test & Trace payment if you have to self-isolate
• Warm and Safe Wiltshire – help with energy bills

Swindon Borough Council: sources of financial help

I’ve been made aware of a scheme where shops provide their food that is shortly going out of date but fine to eat to local “Food Waste Heros” who can then distribute in their local community.

We have a lady called Nicki who lives in Chiseldon who is one such hero and is happy for people to contact her on WhatsApp if they need any food supplies during these tough times.

Nicki will be holding weekly free food collections from her house, and you can access this service in complete confidence.

You would need to contact Nicki on 07487 305675 via text (she gave me permission to add her number on here) and she can help. She will add you to a WhatsApp group listing what is available and you can contact her to make a request. I’d suggest texting Nicki anyway even if you don’t have WhatsApp.

(Please note this isn’t a Parish Council-backed scheme and we take no responsibility for you using this scheme. We are the mechanism for proving the information). Please ensure you are happy to share your number before joining up to this scheme.

Mrs Clair Wilkinson
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help.

We’ve seen a big increase in demand for our services since the coronavirus pandemic began. We’re here with the latest information and advice for people whose housing has been impacted by COVID-19, such as people who’ve accrued rent arrears due to losing their jobs, or are threatened with illegal evictions.

Signpost clients with housing problems to Shelter’s free online housing advice for:

reliable and updated information
step by step advice guides
access to a webchat adviser
an emailed copy of the chat

Visit shelter.org.uk/covid19 or search ‘Shelter housing advice’.

For people in urgent housing need (if they’re homeless or likely to be homeless within 8 weeks; or are at risk of harm), please signpost them to our emergency helpline at shelter.org.uk/get_help.

For an overview of which Shelter services to signpost to when, please dowload our Signposting PDF guide.

A message from Ramsbury and Wanborough Surgery:

So this week, we will be starting to contact our “75 years old and over” patients to book your Covid vaccination appointment. Please do not call us as we need the spare lines for our Receptionists to call out!! We cannot “bump you up the list” so please don’t ask us to. We have to follow the NHS guidelines. Many thanks for your cooperation.

Coronavirus (COVID‑19) is spreading fast in Swindon. The Great Western Hospital (GWH) is today treating more COVID-19 patients than at any point in the pandemic so far.

That’s over 120 coronavirus patients including those in intensive care.

The GWH is battling with COVID-19 alongside all the existing 24/7 emergency health needs of our community, including residents suffering heart attacks, in need of cancer treatments or involved in road traffic accidents. For the first time this week, the hospital has had to cancel some non-urgent inpatient appointments.

The new variant of the virus is 50 to 70% more transmissible (spreadable) and we continue to see case numbers in Swindon rise – more than ten times where they were at the peak last August when Swindon was on the Government’s watchlist.

Swindon has seen 1,772 new COVID-19 cases in the last seven days, up from 725 new cases last Friday (01 January). Swindon’s seven-day rolling average case rate today is 642.2 per 100,000, the national average case rate is 636.6 per 100,000 and 383.4 per 100,000 in the South West.

The national lockdown currently in place follows a real risk that our NHS could be overwhelmed with the demands of treating a rising number of coronavirus patients, alongside all our usual treatment needs this winter.

Now more than ever: to show we value our NHS workers, recognise the tough job they’re doing and the life-saving and enhancing services they provide to us, we all need to follow the ‘Stay at home’ rules.

The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

Let’s do it for our GWH

You have to meet certain eligibility rules to form a support or childcare bubble.

A support bubble is a support network linking two households. You can form a support bubble with another household of any size only if you meet the eligibility rules.

You are permitted to leave your home to visit your support bubble (and to stay overnight with them). However, you should try to form a support bubble with a household who live locally to you.

If you live in a household with anyone aged under 14, you can form a childcare bubble. This allows friends or family from one other household to provide informal childcare.

You must not meet socially with your childcare bubble, and must avoid seeing members of your childcare and support bubbles at the same time.

Children are allowed to move between their parents households if they no longer live together.

Read the guidance for support bubbles and childcare bubbles here.

Coronavirus: Act like you’ve got it

You should only leave your home for the following reasons:

• shopping for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• going to work, or providing voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
• exercising with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area
• meeting your support bubble or childcare bubble
• for a medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and emergencies
• seeking medical assistance or to avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
• attending education or childcare – for those eligible

New Guidance for People Classed as Extremely Clinically Vulnerable

If you are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, you should begin to ‘shield’ again and stay at home as much as possible.

This means you should not leave your home for work, to go shopping or to pick up prescriptions. You are able to leave your home to exercise outdoors and, unlike back in March, the rest of your household do not need to shield. If you haven’t already, you should receive a letter from the NHS detailing the advice you should follow to protect yourself.

• Sign up to the national database to get priority access to food delivery slots and request support picking up prescriptions.
• If you are in urgent need of food or essentials and you do not have the funds to pay or anyone to support you, find out if you’re eligible for the emergency assistance fund.
• Community pharmacies are offering free deliveries of prescriptions.
• If you have no friends or family to stay in touch with, we may be able to link you to one of our volunteer telephone befrienders who can offer a regular check in and chat. The NHS Responders can do this too.
• You are also eligible to receive four months of free Vitamin D supplements through the NHS. You’ll need to register for this by 11 January.

In the next few days, you’ll receive a letter from the Government, we’ll also be writing out to those who are new to shielding as well as contacting those who got in touch with us in November.

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus including:

• people aged 80 and over, who will already have a hospital appointment in the next few weeks
• people who live or work in care homes
• health and social care workers at high risk

You will be contacted directly by the NHS when it is your turn to book your coronavirus vaccination. You should not contact your GP or turn up at a vaccination site without an appointment. Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccination

Beware of COVID scams

In recent weeks a number of attempted COVID-19 related scams have emerged across the country, including:

• people receiving text messages informing them that they are ‘eligible’ to apply for a vaccine and then asking them to provide bank details
• people receiving text messages that claim to be from the HMRC inviting them to claim for a ‘grant’
• scammers looking to take advantage of businesses applying for business grants

Never provide your bank details in response to any email, phone call or text from anyone claiming to be part of the NHS vaccine programme. Bank details, passwords and pin numbers will never be requested as the COVID-19 vaccine is free and this should be an automatic red flag.

Home School Resources

Juggling work, childcare and home schooling can seem like a daunting task but there are plenty of resources available to help you support your child with their remote learning.

Many schools already pay for online resources, so it may be worth checking with your child’s school which ones you can access from home. There are also plenty of free resources available to you through BBC Bitesize, BBC Teach and Oak Academy.

From Monday (11 January), the BBC will be airing educational programmes for primary school students on CBBC and for secondary school students on BBC Two. You can find out more information here.

Joe Wicks will also be resuming PE with Joe at 9am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 January.

Recycling Guide

We’re offering additional recycling services in January to help you get rid of the extra waste you may have produced over Christmas and New Year.

Our crews will be collecting your real Christmas trees for recycling throughout January. Make sure all lights and decorations are removed and that the tree can be lifted safely by two people. If the tree is very large, cut it down into manageable pieces. To find out when our crews will be collecting in your area, visit our website and check under the heading ‘Garden’. You do not need to be a garden waste subscriber to use this service.

We will also be collecting extra recycling between now and the end of January. All you need to do is present it in a sturdy container and leave it next to your recycling boxes by 6.30am on the day of your collection. The containers do not have to be council branded.

Covid-19 FAQs

With England now in national lockdown, it’s crucial we all know and understand how to keep ourselves and others safe. Find the answers to frequently asked questions here:

• What should I do if someone in my household has COVID-19, or has symptoms?
• What do I need to do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
• How and where can I get tested for COVID-19?
• What do I need to do if I receive a negative COVID-19 test result?
• What do I need to do if I receive a positive COVID-19 test result?
• How can I reduce the spread of COVID-19 in my household?

Following a rapid rise in infections, hospital admissions and case rates across the country, the Prime Minister announced yesterday (04 Jan) a national lockdown in England with immediate effect and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

The drastic jump in COVID-19 cases has been attributed to the new variant of COVID-19, which scientists have now confirmed is between 50 and 70 per cent more transmissible.

National lockdown means that you cannot leave your home unless for a small specific list of reasons. From today (05 Jan), all primary schools, secondary schools and colleges will move to remote learning, except for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.

The restrictions have come into effect today, and are expected to last until the middle of February if the situation in hospitals improve. By this point, the NHS hopes to have vaccinated everyone in the top four priority groups identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – including older care home residents and staff, everyone over 70, all frontline NHS and care staff and all those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

See our full update here