Friday 26 Febuary 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
Nobody should feel they can’t afford to self-isolate
With Coronavirus transmission amongst working-age people in Rotherham remaining higher than for other age groups, the Council is reminding people about the support available for people who are asked to self-isolate.
In addition to the Government’s national Test and Trace Support scheme, Rotherham Council has introduced a payment for local residents to offset any income they lose because they have been instructed to self-isolate to prevent spread of the virus.
In a video message, Council Leader Chris Read said: “We know a lot of people worry about the impact of self-isolating on their finances. In Rotherham we’ve put an additional grant in place because we don’t want anybody to be worse off because they’re doing the right thing.”
Help with practical tasks like getting shopping or prescriptions is also available for people who have to self-isolate through the Rotherham Community Hub.
Find out more information about how to claim for the national and local self-isolation financial support here.
If you test positive for coronavirus, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days.
Anyone you live with will also need to self-isolate at the same time.
You may need to self-isolate for longer if you get symptoms while self-isolating or your symptoms do not go away.
Remember, if you are asked to self-isolate:
|
Fall in cases is positive step but there’s a long way to go
The number of people testing positive for Coronavirus in Rotherham fell by 100 last week but still remains at a similar level as when cases began to spike in early December.
The latest weekly infection rate stands at 183.1 cases per 100,000 population (for 7 days up to 20th February), which is down from 221.2 per 100,000 the previous week.
And there’s positive news about the spread of the virus in local people aged over-60 too, with rates falling to 124.5 per 100,000 population from 133.3 per 100,000.
However, the virus continues to spread widely in working-age adults and the Council’s Public Health and Covid response teams are working with local employers and in communities where higher Coronavirus are reported to provide information and take enforcement action where necessary.
And working age residents across the borough are being asked to get a Covid test if they are displaying a wider of symptoms than under previous advice.
We can all contribute to stopping the spread of the virus by continuing to do the basics right:
- Stay at home as much as possible and work from home if you can
- Wash your hands regularly
- Keep your face covered in public areas and give others space
- Do not mix with people from other households
Government unveils road map to reduced restrictions
On Monday, the Government announced the national ‘road map out of lockdown’ will start on 8 March.
There are four steps to the easing of restrictions, which are each dependent on targets being met for factors such as the continuing reduction of the spread of the virus, hospital admissions and roll-out of the vaccine.
Restrictions will only be eased on the indicative dates given, if the criteria is met at each stage.
The first restrictions will be reduced on 8 March and are set out in the graphic on the left (click to download) and will include all schools and colleges opening to all children and young people, with enhanced covid testing and the use of face coverings for students and staff.
Please continue to respect the restrictions in place.
|
- School children and students attending colleges can return to their classrooms.
- Wraparound childcare such as childminders, can restart for children to allow their parents or carers to go to work, education or attend to care duties.
- Vulnerable children can access wraparound care regardless of circumstance.
- Under-18 sport can take place at school or as part of wraparound care, but other sports should not take place at this time.
- You can leave home for leisure and exercise outdoors with your own household, support bubble, or with one person from another household. Try to stay local and follow social distancing guidelines while out.
- Care home residents will be able to nominate a single visitor who can regularly visit. Rapid lateral flow tests are required at every visit and PPE must be worn and you must keep physical contact to a minimum.
- 30 mourners will be able to attend funerals, and 6 people can attend weddings and wakes. Social distancing must be adhered to.
- Travel outside the UK is still not allowed, and any inbound travellers will need complete a declaration of travel form before entering the UK.
Fall in number of Covid patients in Rotherham Hospital
The number of inpatients being treated for Covid-19 in Rotherham Hospital has fallen again this week
On Wednesday the number of Covid inpatients being cared for at the hospital was 58, a reduction from 70 inpatients last week.
Eight patients were in critical care, which is an increase from six last week.
The total number of Covid inpatients since the start of the pandemic is now reached 2,382.
Thank you to everyone working in the NHS and local social care services for their on-going care during the pandemic and their role in the rollout of the vaccine.
|
Local elections will go ahead on 6th May
The Government has confirmed that local elections will take place this spring.
Polls to elect all Rotherham Borough Councillors, the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and parish councillors across the borough will take place on Thursday 6th May.
All seats on Rotherham Borough Council are up for election this year, and will take place based on new ward boundaries for all wards and all seats.
The number of council seats will be reduced from 63 to 59 and the number of wards will be increased from 21 to 25 following a review by the Boundary Commission for England in 2018. There will be nine three-councillor wards and 16 two-councillor wards across the borough.
Parish council elections, except for Catcliffe, Orgreave and Waverley, will take place on the same day should there be more candidates than parish vacancies. Voters in Dinnington St John’s parish area will also be able to take part in the Dinnington neighbourhood plan referendum.
Voters will begin to receive their poll cards from the end of March, which will include details of which ward they come under and which polling station they should use (if not voting by post or proxy), which may have changed following the boundary review.
Work is underway to ensure that the elections are conducted as safely as possible, including measures such as transparent screens and providing hand sanitiser at polling stations.
Further information about the election, including how to register to vote and how to apply for a postal or proxy vote is available from the Council website.
|
|
