Friday 28 May 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
Stay safe this Bank Holiday weekend – let’s not blow it now
With a sunny bank holiday weekend forecast and more people likely to be mixing indoors and out, it’s important we all continue to play our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Sensible measure we can all take include sticking to the social distancing advice when out in public and continuing to wear a face covering in shops, on public transport, or when visiting a doctors’ surgery or hospital.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe:
- Try not to meet with more than one group of people per day. This will help to stop the spread of the virus if any of you have COVID-19.
- Meet outdoors where you can, or if you are meeting indoors in someone’s house, open a window to encourage ventilation.
- Make space for people who you don’t live with or who are not in your support bubble.
- Get tested regularly, even if you feel fine. 1 out of 3 people who have COVID-19 do not show symptoms so it is important that you get lateral flow tests often, especially if you are going out to work.
- Wash your hands regularly with warm, soapy water or use hand sanitiser.
- Wear a face covering in public spaces or if using public transport, unless you are medically exempt.
Stay safe this bank holiday weekend by planning ahead and following the guidelines. The freedoms we have now are as a result of everyone doing the right things and with the lifting of all restrictions potentially in sight, let’s not blow it now.
Further advice and guidance is available from the Council’s website
If you’re out, please take your litter home
Meeting outside in the fresh air helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
But if you’re heading out to a park, public garden or the coast this bank holiday weekend, please dispose of your litter, either by using nearby bins or taking it home to put in your household waste.
Rotherham is blessed with some fantastic parks and open spaces. Many of you will be wanting to make the most of the weather and meeting up with friends or family, but you can help keep our greenspaces looking good by not leaving your litter behind.
Please help keep Rotherham tidy for everyone by doing your bit.
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Rotherham rate falls below national average
The COVID-19 infection rate in Rotherham has now fallen below the national average.
Thank you to everyone for playing their part to keep themselves and their friends and family safe by respecting the rules and following advice. Let’s keep it going!
The infection rate in Rotherham now stands at 22.6 per 100,000, with 60 cases in the borough in the last week. The England average is slightly higher at 23.6 per 100,000 – although this national rate has increased this week.
Nationally, the picture of new variant cases is changing and we expect that to continue. We are being vigilant in the monitoring of these variants in the local area.
Public Health England is now publishing the number of cases of the VOC-21APR-02 variant (first identified in India) for each local authority. So far there have been less than five cases reported for Rotherham, and none in the last week.
Prevention measures for the new variant remain the same including the importance of social distancing, face coverings and good ventilation or preferably meeting outside.
The importance of vaccination
Recent national analysis has shown the COVID-19 vaccination continues to show good effectiveness against COVID-19, including the latest variant and will help us to keep the rates of transmission lower.
We continue to recommend that anyone aged 30 years or over who has not yet taken up their offer of vaccination to do so. As having a second dose improves effectiveness, we would also encourage those offered their second dose to take up an appointment to receive this as soon as they can.
The latest COVID-19 data is available from the Government website.
Latest news from Rotherham Hospital
The latest update from Rotherham Hospital shows that four people are currently being treated for COVID-19, with none in critical care.
This brings the total number of inpatients who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic to 2,582.
The hospital has slightly eased visiting restrictions in a number of adult inpatient ward areas.
If your relative is currently an inpatient, you or another member of your family will receive a text message when the patient is moved to one of the wards allowing visitors. This will provide the details of how to book a visiting appointment.
Visiting will be allowed for one named visitor for up to 50 minutes and must be pre-booked.
The booking line number is in the text message – visiting cannot be booked by calling wards or the hospital Switchboard. The booking line is manned by volunteers and it is busy, so we ask that callers are patient.
Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or who has any symptoms of COVID-19, must not visit.
Those attending outpatient appointments must continue to attend on their own. If it is absolutely necessary, they can bring one other person– full details are available on the website link above.
Visit the Rotherham Hospital website for the latest on visiting arrangements.
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Advice from NHS Rotherham CCG
Remember to sign-up to keep receiving email bulletins
As restrictions are lifted over the coming weeks, the need for us to produce a dedicated COVID-19 update for residents will reduce.
We know from the feedback we’ve received that many of you value having regular updates from the Council about services, events and developments, so we will be producing a fortnightly ebulletin called Rotherham Round-up. We’ll also include any covid-related news impacting our borough in the Rotherham Round-up bulletins.
To receive these updates direct to your inbox you’ll need to make sure you are signed up, which you can do here: Rotherham Round-up sign-up
As well as receiving information from across our area, there’s also a chance to sign-up for local news from your community, via our neighbourhood news bulletins using this form. Just tick the box indicating which part of the borough you’re from to receive those too.
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