Together We’re Better. COVID-19 Stakeholder Update for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Marking one year since the first COVID-19 Lockdown
On March 23rd 2021, many people joined in with doorstep vigils to mark one year since the country entered the first lockdown. Marie Curie announced a ‘national day of reflection’, for those who have sadly lost their lives to be remembered. Our hearts go out to anyone and everyone that has lost a loved one due to COVID-19, whether that is here in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, nationally, or even further afield. You can read Prem Singh’s briefing on the website, sharing his reflections here. Prem is the Chair of the Integrated Care System Board at Together We’re Better – Transforming Health and Care for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all they are doing. To the health and care workers, the key workers keeping our country going, carers and everyone beyond. Whether you’re a nurse, a social care worker, a delivery driver, a supermarket worker or simply doing your bit by staying at home and following all the government restrictions – thank you.
After a long, hard fight, the COVID picture is improving
12 months on from the start of our fight against Coronavirus we are continuing to see a much-improved situation across the county. This is down to a combination of factors, including the success of the vaccination programme and the abundance of self-testing that’s now available. Most people are continuing to observe the isolation guidance and mask rules in shops etc. which should keep us moving in this downward trajectory and keep the numbers low.
The statistics are showing that 88% of everyone who has died to date from COVID-19 were over 80 years old. This also pushes home the importance of the vaccination programme to protect these members of our community against the virus as best as we possibly can, and the success of which can now also be seen in the lower bed occupancies across our hospitals.
The situation in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
So far (as of the end of March) over 45% of our overall population in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and 56% of the adult population have had their first dose of the vaccine. We do however still have some work to do still on priority group 6, which is those adults aged 16 to 65 years in an at-risk group.
Whilst our penetration levels across cohorts 1-9 are very strong, we are seeing a lower uptake amongst those with autism, renal and liver failure, sickle cell disease, severe mental illness and those who are alcohol dependent.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to reach the smaller numbers that remain within each cohort. And we would like to reiterate the huge thank you for everyone’s dedication and hard work. We are committed to leaving nobody behind.
There has been lots of targeted work happening with our ethnic minorities and ethnic groups, as well as people with learning difficulties and the homeless.
The focus from April is to encourage anyone over the age of 50 and those in at risk groups to book their vaccine as soon as possible.
While we will see a significant reduction in vaccine supply during April, we can confidently reassure people that locally we have a good supply. We have enough for everyone in cohorts 1-9 to receive their first dose as well as to fulfil any second doses that are due over the coming weeks.
Health and social care workers yet to be vaccinated are being encouraged to book their appointment now. The National Booking System will be in hibernation for first doses during April but appointments are available at all vaccination sites across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent until 31 March. Anyone who is in priority groups 1-9 and is yet to have their vaccination should book their vaccination now. You can book via the National Booking System until 31 March, or by calling 119. Where you have a second dose booked at a vaccination centre please continue to attend that booking.
You can read more local COVID-19 news in the COVID-19 vaccination bulletins of 18 March 2021 and 26 March 2021.
Thank you to everyone – but we must remain cautious and vigilant
The latest COVID-19 mortality figures show how far we have come even in a very short space of time, thanks to the hard work of health and care teams, the continued cautious approach, and the public sticking to the restrictions. Thank you. They also show the vaccination programme starting to take effect, and as it ramps up at pace it will provide protection for more and more people.
However, we must be wary, as we have been in a similar position before. At the beginning of June last year, as the first lockdown was beginning to lift and children began to go back to school, the mortality figures were below the level they are now. They then began to rise as more and more restrictions were lifted. Although we didn’t have a vaccine then, it remains vital that we all continue to be as cautious as possible, as we cannot afford another major spike in infections.
Although things are definitely looking up, we still cannot be complacent and must continue to comply with the guidance, and the hands, face space rules to control the spread of the virus. This advice applies even to those who have received a vaccine. You can still catch the virus and even pass it on to those around you once you’ve had your vaccine, so we must all still be vigilant for some time.
Free rapid Lateral Flow tests are now available
Getting tested regularly is also still very important and any household in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent where there is either a child attending school, or a member of school staff, can qualify for free rapid testing equipment to use at home. It means parents can have access to the lateral flow tests, rather than just children.
The Community Collect scheme means that kits can be collected at community testing sites. To find out more about the scheme and where home kits will be available from follow the appropriate link for Staffordshire residents or Stoke-on-Trent residents.
There are plenty of testing options available for all residents of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. For more information on the COVID-19 testing options open to Staffordshire residents please visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/testing and https://www.stoke.gov.uk/bookacovid19test for residents of Stoke-on-Trent.
You can find some key messages and assets to help remind people to keep following the rules via your channels and networks in the Cabinet Offices stakeholder and influencer toolkit.
For information about services or to give feedback, you can contact your local Healthwatch Staffordshire and Healthwatch Stoke on Trent here: