Friday 30 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
Local Elections: Covid safety at polling stations
It’s polling day for local elections next Thursday, 6 May and voters are being reminded about the extra precautions in place this year to ensure polling stations are safe for all.
Covid-secure measures are in place to reduce the risk of infection including:
- Hand sanitiser on entrance / exit
- Additional screens to protect voters and polling station staff.
- Managing numbers of people inside the polling station at any one time to ensure social distancing
- Face coverings are required, except for medical exemptions
- Regular cleaning
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.
Pencils will be provided at all polling stations, but to limit the chance of spreading infection, voters may prefer to bring their own pen or pencil.
New ward boundaries are in place for the first time at these elections, so make sure you check your poll card or visit our online polling station checker to ensure you’re attending the right polling station.
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Some of the new wards will have two seats and others will have three seats. In two-seat wards you can vote for up to two candidates and in three-seat wards you can vote for up to three candidates.
For the police and crime commissioner election you should rank your top two candidates in order of preference.
This information will be on your ballot paper, so please read it carefully before casting your vote.
You can get full details about the elections taking place on 6 May on our website. All election notices, including details of people standing for election in each ward, are also available here.
Emergency proxy votes
In certain circumstances, where someone has an emergency that means they can’t vote in person, they can apply for an emergency proxy.
This must be something that they weren’t aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline, which was 27 April. This includes:
Emergency proxy vote applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day by calling 01709 336 010 or by email to electoral.services@rotherham.gov.uk
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Take care this Bank Holiday weekend
The infection rate in Rotherham continues to fall and is currently at 49.7 cases per 100,000 population, down slightly from 54.3 last week.
However, this rate remains more than double the England average of 24.5 per 100,000, with Rotherham and South Yorkshire areas remaining in the top 20 local authority areas for infections in the country.
The rate in the over 60’s in Rotherham is down to 17.6 per 100,000, but this also remains higher than the England average of 9.5.
So if you’re out and about this bank holiday weekend or visiting friends and family it’s still really important to take care to help reduce the spread amongst family and friends by meeting outside, keeping your distance, wearing masks in indoor spaces and taking the opportunity for regular asymptomatic testing.
If you have returned from abroad, have symptoms or someone in your household does, or you are a contact of a case, it is really important to follow self-isolation advice.
You can see the latest local, regional and national Covid infection rate data on the Government’s website.
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One Covid patient in Rotherham Hospital
As of this morning, just one patient was being treated for Covid in Rotherham Hospital, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust confirmed today.
Sadly though this week, after 14 days with no Covid deaths recorded in the borough, the cause of death of an 88 year-old woman was recorded as Covid.
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A reminder from your NHS dentist
Please be aware that dentists are currently still prioritising vulnerable patients or those with urgent dental needs over routine dental care such as dental check-ups.
If you need to book an appointment, you may need to wait until your practice opens fully.
- Please ONLY visit your practice if you have an appointment and telephone to book an appointment only if essential – dentists are currently prioritising the vulnerable or those with the most urgent need.
- Appointments for some routine treatments, such as dental check-ups, may have to be delayed for a later date.
- Your practice will look a little different than usual as they will be operating in a way that observes COVID-19 social distancing and hygiene rules to ensure everyone’s safety.
- If you develop an urgent dental issue, you should telephone your regular dental practice for advice on what to do next.
- Dental issues will be triaged over the telephone. You will be given clear instructions what you need to do next if you need to attend a face-to-face appointment.
- If your dental issue is not urgent, you may be given advice on how to self-manage the dental problem. You will be advised to make contact again if your situation changes/worsens
- If you have toothache, your local pharmacist can advise you what is the best pain control to meet your needs.
- Only ring NHS 111 out of hours when your dental needs cannot be met by self-care and cannot wait till your practice is open to contact them for advice.
Library services welcoming you back
Our libraries are welcoming visitors back, but a limited remains in place to comply with Covid restrictions.
There are nine libraries which are open to the public currently, with temporary opening/closing times. They are Aston, Kiveton Park, Thurcroft, Maltby, Brinsworth, Rawmarsh, Swinton, Mowbray & Kimberworth.
Meanwhile, libraries at Dinnington, Wickersley, Greasbrough, Thorpe Hesley & Wath remain closed while refurbishment work is taking place.
Full details about the services available at our libraries is on the Council’s website.
An order and collect service for books and a range of online services is also available.
Rawmarsh Library closed on 6 May
Rawmarsh library will be closed Thursday 6 May due to the local elections.
It will will reopen on Friday 7 May.
The nearest libraries to Rawmarsh are Mowbray Gardens and Greasbrough.
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We’re still here to help if you need it
Rotherham Council is continuing to provide a wide range of support for people who need help due to the Covid pandemic.
If someone is unable to leave their home, we can help with anything from a prescription collection or food shopping, to support with someone’s health and wellbeing.
Groups invited to register for healthy holidays scheme
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