Friday 12 March 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 . Working-age Covid infections in Rotherham still a concern This week the case rate in Rotherham remains similar to last week at 151.8 per 100,000. Whilst we are seeing a continued fall in the rate amongst those aged over 60, which is now down to 70.3 per 100,000 – less than half the overall rate – the virus is still spreading in our borough, especially amongst younger, working-age adults. And while the virus continues to spread, those people in vulnerable groups remain at greater risk of serious illness and death. We can all play our part to prevent this happening by maintaining a good social distance, wearing a mask in busy or indoor public places and staying at home where possible. The testing of people without symptoms, using lateral flow devices as part of programmes run through workplaces and schools will further help us identify those who may spread the infection but would otherwise not have known they had it. See details below. If you test positive, or are a contact of someone who does, it is really important that you self-isolate to stop others becoming infected even if you don’t have symptoms. Financial support is available from the Government and the Council if you are concerned about lost income whilst you are self-isolating. Consider how you can self-isolate at home and avoid passing it on to family members. More data about Covid cases in your local area are available here. VIDEO: click the image to see how local firm Pyronix has introduced Covid secure measures to protect employees Stopping the spread of Covid in the workplace Across the borough, workplaces are introducing COVID-safe features to make sure their workers, customers, and visitors are as safe as possible.   To support businesses, the government is encouraging businesses to sign up to an employer-led rapid testing scheme, available until 31 March. This will allow businesses to receive free rapid flow tests which they can give to staff members without symptoms who cannot work from home.  Employers can find out more about the scheme and register here.  And further information about workplace testing is also available from the Rotherham Council website. VIDEO: Pyronix, a locally-based security systems manufacturer invited us behind the scenes at their plant in Hellaby to see the measures they have taken to make their premises Covid-secure. Parents with school children can get rapid home tests If you are the parent or guardian of a student who has returned to school or college this week, you can collect free home covid tests from our testing sites at: Herringthorpe Stadium Maltby Leisure Centre Dinnington Community Centre They are open for collection from 1.30-7pmall weekend. These tests are for people who have no current symptoms of Covid. If you DO have Covid symptoms you should self-isolate and book a test immediately. Schools are doing everything they can to make sure the classrooms are COVID safe, but they need your help. Every rapid test you do helps schools to stop outbreaks before they happen and keep other more vulnerable people safe.  More information about the home test kits for parents is available from the Government website. Registered unpaid carers to get vaccine priority There continues to be a positive impact of the covid vaccination in older adults and our more clinically vulnerable population. Unpaid carers provide essential support for vulnerable residents in the community. If you are an unpaid carer, you will be able to get your vaccine through the National Booking Service at a national vaccination site or through the local vaccination service. To be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine as an unpaid carer, you must be:  in receipt of or entitled to a carer’s allowance  known to GPs who have a ‘carer’s flag’ on their primary care record  known to Local Authorities who are in receipt of support following a carer’s assessment  known to local carers organisations to be actively receiving care and support.  If you are a registered unpaid carer, you will be contacted by your local GP or by the national booking service to arrange your vaccination. If you are aged 64 or over, you may have already been offered the vaccination and will not be contacted again.  You must be over 18 to book using the online national booking service and you will need to provide your name, date of birth and your NHS number.  Latest update from Rotherham Hospital The numbers of people with covid in hospital is continuing to reduce. As of 8am on Wednesday 10 March, we had 42 inpatients in Rotherham Hospital who have tested positive for Covid, of which five were in critical care. This brings the total number of inpatients who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic to 2,450. Sadly, a further two death registrations referenced Covid in the last week. The total death registrations mentioning Covid in Rotherham is now 788. 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.