Please see attached and below latest Covid and Town and Parish updates:

Town and Parish Update – Wednesday December 2 (2)

Notts high level summary 011220 (2)

• Rates of Infection

Taking Nottinghamshire County as a whole, the all-age and over 60s rates of infection have decreased over the last month (see chart).  As we have previously observed, rates in people aged over 60 are important because it is amongst this group that we find people at greatly increased risk of complications, hospitalisation, and increased mortality.  In recent weeks we have also observed a slight easing of pressures in the local health and care system.  The reduction in rates in over60s is an indicator that this will ease further as we move into December.

The accompanying table sets out the rates, direction of change for individual districts, boroughs and the city.  The Winter Plan published last week makes clear that the government will consider these and other criteria (e.g. NHS pressures) in moving areas between Tiers but that it reserves the right to use discretion in interpreting them in the light of other contextual factors.  In the table, you will see that the legend is coloured to reflect the thresholds which were previously used by government.  (The dark blue represents indicators which would previously have placed an area in Tier 3;  the brown represents indicators which previously would have triggered a move up into Tier 2.) You will see from the table, the colours and the arrows on it that in general Nottinghamshire is moving in the right direction.  But we must also keep in mind that coming out of lockdown and the relaxation of restrictions at Christmas are likely to exert upwards pressure on these rates.

• Review of the new Tier system

As of today, we move to the new Tier Three. I sent details of the new tier arrangements last week. We have been told there will be a review of tiers every 14 days. That means our situation should be reviewed on 16 December. To date, I do not have details of the review process. When I do, I will update you.

• Care homes visiting

We have heard today that Lateral Flow Tests (tests for asymptomatic people) will be available in care homes, to enable visiting, particularly over Christmas. The Government guidance can be accessed here new guidance and we will be working with care home providers to manage its implementation, as a matter of priority.

• Vaccine roll-out

We have heard the welcome news, this morning, that the Pfizer vaccine has been authorised for use in the UK. You may be aware that care homes staff are the top priority, to receive the vaccine, along with NHS staff. Please rest assured that we will be working with our care homes providers and the NHS, to ensure a rapid and effective roll-out, across Nottinghamshire. Later this week, we expect guidance on the roll-out. In the meantime, we will make the necessary preparations. For now, it seems that doses will be received in limited quantities but it is anticipated that quantities will be stepped up between now and the end of the year.

Please see below the latest Councillors’ Connection.

Councillors’ Connection 30-11-20