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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.
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You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus
Following the recent surge in infections, the number of Rotherham residents being admitted to hospital for Covid-19 has also now started to rise across the borough.
Rotherham’s Local Outbreak Engagement Board met on Friday and was told that the number of people with Covid-19 being admitted to hospital had increased to 17 last week, including four patients in critical care.
Just five weeks ago there were no Covid-19 patients at the hospital.
There have also been at least two Covid-19-related deaths in the borough over the last fortnight, following a month without any local COVID fatality.
Rotherham Council Leader and Chair of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, Cllr Chris Read, said: “People have been through so much already this year it is understandable that they are tired and don’t want to face a new wave of restrictions.
“None of us wants to go back to the dark days we saw earlier this year, but the warning lights are now flashing. As a community, we must find the strength and the determination to do all that is needed to keep each other safe and to keep Rotherham open, or else we will face new restrictions very soon.”
Dr Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, added: “While the number of hospital inpatients who have tested positive for COVID-19 is still far lower than it has been, we are starting to see numbers increase with 17 positive patients in the hospital on 25 September. As we head towards flu season, it is as important as ever that we all continue to work together to reduce the risk of infection.”
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Latest Covid-19 infection rates
The latest 7-day infection rate in Rotherham has increased to 49.1 per 100,000 from 38.9 per 100,000 last week – and is continuing to rise.
There have been 125 cases of Covid-19 reported in Rotherham in the last week.
The majority of cases in the borough are as a result of community transmission within families, households and social circles.
People are encouraged to continue to follow the rule of six, keep two meters apart when possible and limit the number of people they mix with.
It remains incumbent on all of us, at work and at home, to continue to take these vital steps to Keep Rotherham Open:
- Keep 2 metres apart whenever possible
- Wash hands often
- Self isolate and get tested if you have symptoms
- Wear a face covering whenever required
- Please encourage anyone with symptoms, however mild, to get tested as soon as possible.
There is high demand for tests nationally and we would ask anyone who tries to book a test and is unable to do so, or who is offered a location or time which is not convenient, to please wait a few hours and try again – more booking slots are released at regular intervals.
Further information regarding coronavirus is available on the Council website.
Download the Covid-19 app now
The new Covid-19 app is now available to download for free and is the fastest way to see if you’re at risk from coronavirus.
The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.
The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy.
You can get help with downloading or using the app here |
Strict penalties for failure to self-isolate
Tough new penalties come into force today which make it illegal for people to fail to self-isolate when they are instructed to do so.
This could be people who are told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace, or someone returning to England from a country not on the safe travel corridors list.
In those circumstances, failure to quarantine could result in a fine of up to £10,000, issued by the Police.
The new measures have been introduced as a study commissioned by the Government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.
The Council will be making an announcement imminently about how workers who have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service will be able to apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme through Rotherham Council’s website.
Information about the scheme will be published soon on the Council’s Coronavirus website.
Rotherham Council is working with local families and health partners as part of the ICON campaign, raising awareness with new parents and people that work with them about coping with babies crying and the catastrophic impact of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
ICON stands for:
I – Infant crying is normal – and it will stop! Babies start to cry more frequently from around 2 weeks of age. The crying may get more frequent and last longer. After about 8 weeks of age babies start to cry less each week.
C – Comforting methods can help – are they: hungry? Tired? Need a nappy change? Try simple calming techniques such as singing to the baby or going for a walk.
O – It’s OK to walk away – if you have checked the baby is safe and the crying is getting to you. After a few minutes when you are feeling calm, go back and check on the baby.
N – Never, ever shake a baby or hurt a baby. Shaking can cause lasting brain damage or death. If you are worried that your baby is unwell contact your GP or call NHS 111.
Staff from Rotherham Council’s Early Help and Social Care teams, who work with children and families across the borough, will provide advice to new mums and dads about what they can do to comfort a crying baby and how to cope with the stress it causes.
Support is available from your GP, midwife or through NHS 111 for anyone who is struggling.
The impact of Shaken Baby Syndrome is catastrophic for the individual, the family and ultimately society. Babies have soft brains weak neck muscles and delicate blood vessels – shaking a baby for even a few seconds can often result in death or leave the baby with significant lifelong disabilities.
Help and advice for parents is available from the ICON website.
Find out more by watching this short video and please share it with any new parents you know. W ith added anxieties for people caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, no-one is immune from the stresses that baby crying can bring, but there are lots of coping mechanisms mums and dads can use to keep baby safe. |
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