Friday 16 April 2021

Residents Bulletin

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are providing regular email updates to let you know about the latest information we have on local and national measures to contain the virus, any changes to local services and support that’s available.

If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.

Further information is available from www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus

How to self-isolate

When and how should I self-isolate?

Rotherham has seen a continued fall in the overall 7-day Covid infection rate, which is now down to 75.4 per 100,000 population, from 90.8 last week.

However, the rate remains much higher than the national average, with 200 people in Rotherham testing positive for covid this week.

If we are gong to reduce the spread of the Covid virus, it’s vital that people self-isolate to limit contact with others if there is a chance they’re infected.

You should self-isolate for ten full days if you:

Have tested positive for Covid from either a rapid lateral flow test or a PCR test at a testing centre.
Have any symptoms of Covid, including a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
Live with someone who has tested positive or has any symptoms of Covid.

Visit the NHS website for further details.

What do I have to do if I’m self-isolating

If you are self-isolating, that means you must:

not visit family or friends
not go shopping or to the pharmacy
not leave the house (unless going for a test or to get emergency medical help)
not go to work
not take your children to school, nursery or a child minder

rearrange any routine health appointments at your GP, dentist, or hospital

If your child has symptoms, they must not go to school.

If you do not self-isolate when you have been told to by NHS Test and Trace, you could be fined by the Local Test and Trace service.

Stay safe, stay outdoors

If you are planning to meet up with family and friends at home this weekend, please remember you must not meet indoors and stay socially distanced in your garden.

Covid virus particles are more likely to spread where there is less ventilation, so staying outside can help reduce the chances of the virus spreading.

Guests are allowed to use your bathroom, but you and your guests should not congregate indoors as you could be fined.

The weather is quite unpredictable so try to plan ahead if you’re having people over by checking the weather forecast before you make plans.

You could:

Have blankets for people to use if the temperature drops
Use patio heaters, a fire pit or chimera, if you have one
Have umbrellas ready just in case there’s a passing shower
Use larger garden umbrellas or an open gazebo for shelter

Let’s get Rotherham moving

Free weekend parking has been extended across Rotherham town centre as a show of support from the Council for residents and businesses as they re-open.

This weekend will be the first that the new offers have been in place since the re-opening of non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality venues on Monday.

The Council has permanently removed Saturday charges at all twelve of its off-street car parks in central Rotherham. All council parking is already free on Sundays (except Wellgate multi-storey, which opens Monday to Saturday only).

Further information is available on our website.

Keep Rotherham Open

Everyone can get tested and help stop the spread of Covid

Everyone can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Rotherham by getting tested regularly by the Government’s Lateral Flow Testing scheme. If you do not have symptoms of the virus and over the age of 18, you can get free tests from any of the following places:

the home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home
workplace testing programmes, available on-site or at home
at the community testing site at the Unity Centre, every Tuesday and Friday 8:15 am to 3:15pm
collection at a local PCR test siteduring specific test collection time windows
testing on-site at schools and colleges
through the ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service at participating pharmacies across Rotherham

The Council’s Riverside House Test Site is also supporting the Government’s Events Research Programme by offering tests locally to those attending the Betfred World Snooker Championship.

If you need a test prior to attending the Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield, please get in touch with our team via email: LFTtestcentre@rotherham.gov.uk

Rotherham Hospital COVID Update

The number of patients being treated for Covid in Rotherham Hospital has fallen to seven this week, with two patients in critical care.

This brings the total number of inpatients who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic to 2,551.

There were no deaths in Rotherham this week where Covid was reported as a factor, which is fantastic news.

Visiting Rotherham Hospital

Please remember that there are restrictions in place when visiting patients at the hospital.

If you are attending an outpatient appointment or going to the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, you must attend on your own, unless it is absolutely necessary that someone accompanies you – this includes patients with dementia, learning disabilities or autism, or children.

If you are accessing the site, face coverings must be worn covering the nose and mouth (unless exempt) and you should use the hand gel available throughout the hospital and other sites.

See the Rotherham Hospital website for the latest details on visiting restrictions.

Vaccine and testing advice during Ramadan

Ramadan began on Monday 12 April and the British Islamic Medical Association is reassuring Muslims that the vaccination will not invalidate your fast – but if you have any concerns or questions, speak to your local GP or Imam.

Likewise, if you’re in a public facing job such as working in a shop, in health and social care, or as a taxi driver, you should continue to get regular Lateral Flow tests part of the national testing offer.

Further information is available on the British Islamic Medical Association website

Prince Philip 1921-2021

Please show your respects safely

A nationwide minute’s silence will take place at 3pm tomorrow (Saturday 17 April) as the nation pauses to pay its respects to HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh ahead of his funeral.

In line with the Royal Family’s wishes and Covid restrictions there will be no formal gathering to mark the occasion and people are encouraged to take part in the silence at home with members of their own household.

If you wish to pay your own personal tribute, you can do so by signing a Book of Condolence on the Council’s website and on the Royal website.

98.5% of children offered one of preferred Primary places

Today is National Offer Day, when parents discover which Primary or Junior school their child has been offered a place at.

Nearly 3,000 applications were received in Rotherham this year, with 94.4% of children being offered their first choice of school.

This is both an improvement on last year and well above the national average.

In total, 98.5% of children have been offered one of their three preferences.

For the small number of children who could not be accommodated at their preferred schools, all will be offered a place at either a school in their catchment area or the next nearest school with places available.

Getting in touch…

During this challenging time please, where possible and appropriate, use our online services rather than calling via telephone. We’re receiving a high level of calls daily and want to ensure we’re able to answer urgent calls regarding vulnerable residents and our front line services.