Friday 6 August 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

Click the image to view a behind-the-scenes look at the Covid vaccination centre at Rotherham Leisure Complex

VIDEO: Behind the scenes at a local vaccination centre

We took a peak behind the scenes at the Covid Vaccination centre based at Rotherham Leisure Complex and chatted to staff and volunteers about how it was going and what visitors can expect.

You can view the video on our You Tube Channel.

If you haven’t had both doses of your COVID-19 vaccine yet, or if you know someone who hasn’t, you can get more information on how to book on Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) website.

Book your vaccine here,

The NHS and its partners are working hard to deliver vaccines to all in adults in Rotherham across our vaccination sites.

Second dose vaccination appointments are currently being booked at around 8 weeks after the first dose.

Further information about second dose vaccinations.

Make a Covid vaccination your goal!

If you’re yet to have your first or second Covid vaccination, Rotherham United are inviting people to get their jab before the first home match of the season on Saturday 7 August (open from 11am) – with the bonus a free ticket to the game for those that do!

Rotherham United Community Sports Trust are giving away the tickets for the Millers first match of the season, against Plymouth Argyle (kick-off 3pm).

See the Rotherham United website for more details.

Other Grab a Jab sessions are being held in Rotherham this weekend:

Saturday 7 August

Anston Medical Centre (Pfizer only) – 8:30am – 1pm

Sunday 8 August

St Ann’s Rotherham Leisure Centre (Pfizer only) – 9am – 2pm

No need to book – just turn up! Keep up-to-date with news on vaccinations and future grab-a-jab events on the NHS Rotherham CCG Facebook page.

www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus

Covid infections remain above national average

Covid infection rates in Rotherham have continued to fall over the last seven days, from 454.7 cases per 100,000 people last week to 362.3 cases per 100,000 this week. That equates to a reduction in new cases in the last seven days from 1,205 to 960.

The trend is definitely heading in the right direction but it’s also important to note that rates are not falling as far or as fast as they are elsewhere in the country and are still high.

Rotherham now has the 31^st highest infection rate out of 314 local authority areas in England.

Please continue to take precautions to protect yourself and your family. If you’re having visitors this weekend, keep your home well ventilated and wash your hands frequently and wear a face covering if you’re out and about in crowded places, especially indoors.

Covid latest from Rotherham Hospital

As of Wednesday, 44 inpatients in Rotherham Hospital had tested positive for COVID-19, with 6 in critical care.

This is an increase of ten patients from last week and the number of patients in critical care has doubled.

Since the start of the pandemic, Rotherham Hospital has treated 2,741 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and safely discharged a total of 2,006.

Hospital services continue to be busy so if you need medical help, please only use Accident and Emergency for emergencies.

Other services are available for minor ailments and injuries, such as insect bites, sun burn, and hay fever symptoms, through the 111 service, at your local pharmacy, or at your local GP.

Tested positive for Covid? Here’s what to do

If you test positive, you must self-isolate straight away and any close contacts, such as the people you live with, should self-isolate too. Once you have self-isolated for ten days, you can return to your normal routine.

If anyone in your household starts with symptoms during the ten days isolation, they must start their isolation again from the day their symptoms start, or on the day they test positive.

Download this handy guide (PDF document) which helps to explain what you need to do in different circumstances.

Testing after returning a positive result

If you have tested positive by PCR for COVID-19, you will probably develop some immunity to Covid but it is not guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity or how long it will last.

It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection. This means that anyone who has previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result should not be re-tested within 90 days of that test, unless they develop any new symptoms of COVID-19.

You should not take multiple tests while self-isolating after testing positive. If you are self-isolating because of a positive PCR test and take a LFT test which returns a negative result, this does not mean you can stop self-isolating. You must only stop self-isolating 10 days after your positive result or 10 days after the onset of your symptoms.

If you do have a LFT, or rapid antigen, test within 90 days of a previous positive COVID-19 PCR test as part of your workplace testing and the result of this test is positive, you and your household should self-isolate and follow the steps in this guidance again.

If it is more than 90 days since you tested positive by PCR for COVID-19, and you have new symptoms of COVID-19, or a positive LFT or PCR test, follow the self-isolation guidance right away.

Keep up children testing in Summer

Keep on testing through the summer break

Although all schools now closed for the summer, it’s still really important that you and your children stay safe from COVID-19.

Regular testing using a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) is still advised. There are details of how you can get free Later Flow Devices on our website.

Remember to report your result online, even it is negative.

If you or your child start developing symptoms of COVID-19, you must get a test straight away and stay at home. You will need to order a PCR test from the GOV.UK website or book an appointment at one of the local test sites to get your test.

We know it can be difficult to keep the kids entertained, but it is important that you stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days. This means that you must not go to the shops, go to the park, or allow your child to attend any summer school activities.

Support is available through the Rotherham Community Hub if you need help with prescription collections or need any advice about financial support. You can click here to fill in the online form or call 01709 807319 to talk to one of our friendly team members.

Keeping children entertained during isolation

There are some great local resources available to keep children entertained this Summer – whether they are isolating or not!

Rotherham Creative Communities

Rotherham Libraries

Grimm & Co

To get advice and support about mental health for children, visit the Every Mind Matters website.

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.