Monday 24th August 2020
Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are providing weekly email updates for residents to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected.
If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.
You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus
Latest on COVID-19 infection rates in the Rotherham borough
Rates of infection have slightly increased and the seven-day infection rate is 20 per 100,000, although to note that this is still lower than those local authority areas on the Government’s watchlist.
The number of positive cases in Rotherham was 49 cases last week. The rate of infection in the borough has been rising a little over the last couple of weeks, so we must encourage residents to continue to be cautious in order to keep Rotherham open.
In order to tackle our infection rate, we are actively encouraging anyone with symptoms, however mild, or with any cause for concern, to get tested as soon as possible. Test appointments can be arranged online or by calling 119. You can order a home-testing kit or attend the drive-through site at Midland Road, Masborough, or the walk-in site at Forge Island. Appointments are preferred at Forge Island and face-coverings must be worn.
If you receive a positive test result or have symptoms, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from the start of symptoms. Anyone you have been in contact with should also self-isolate for 14 days, even if they get a negative test result as they may still be incubating the infection. You will be asked to provide contact details of anyone you know you have been in close contact with so that the NHS Track and Trace team can get in touch with them to advise them to self-isolate.
Advice and support for anyone with concerns about self-isolating is available through the Rotherham Community Hub on 01709 807319.
New countries removed from Travel corridors list
As of Saturday 22 August people arriving into England from Croatia, Trinidad and Tobago and Austria from 4am Saturday 22 August 2020 will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. This is because it can take up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear. People travelling to the UK for less than 14 days, will be expected to self-isolate for the length of their stay.
Data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England has indicated a significant change in both the level and pace of confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in all 3 destinations, leading to ministers removing these destinations from the current list of travel corridors.
Read more
Updated guidance on car sharing
The Department for Transport (DfT) is encouraging people to plan their journey if it requires them to share a car with another household.
They are asking that they follow government guidance to help them keep safe. The advice for the public is to:
• try not to share a vehicle with those outside their household or support bubble
• if this is not possible, share the transport with the same people each time
• open the windows for ventilation
• wear a face covering for the duration of the journey
• consider seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle – e.g. leave some seats free.
• clean their car between journeys including door handles and other areas that people may touch
Anxious wait over for GCSE students
The anxious wait was over last week for pupils, parents and teachers in Rotherham as thousands of young people across the borough received their GCSE results.
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that pupils were unable to sit exams this year, so their grades have come from teacher predictions, or central assessed grades as they are also known.
The predicted grades are based on the pupil’s performance over the last two years and are assessed by schools, based on guidelines provided by exam regulator, Ofqual.
Read more
Annual canvass of electors underway
The next phase of the annual elections canvass has now begun, with around 85,000 letters being sent out to Rotherham residents.
The letters are addressed to ‘The Occupier’ as they are about all the eligible residents at a property, not an individual person. If you receive a letter you need to check the information is correct.
If it is correct, you don’t need to do anything further. If the information we hold needs updating, then you must respond by following the instructions in the letter – the quickest and easiest way is online.
Read more
Sign up to receive news about your area
We produce dedicated news updates for every part of the Rotherham borough.
Subscribe to our News from your Neighbourhood e-newsletters, produced monthly for each ward, and get the latest news and information about what it happening in your corner of Rotherham.
Sign up
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.
