Covid19 Information Updates

[amazon]

Collection time for the rapid lateral flow tests is actually from 2.30pm-8pm each day.

Iwas told 2 pm .till 8 pm you can allso send for them NHS website

[andrewbowden]

You can now also pick up packs of tests from some pharmacies.  Well and Boots branches are amongst those dishing them out.

There's a website so you can find your nearest pharmacy that has them for collection.
https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

[Lily]

Collection time for the rapid lateral flow tests is actually from 2.30pm-8pm each day.

[amazon]

Apologies, I lost track of how to start a new string and thanks to admin, this is now its own topic. I've just added the last two and today's update to give some backtracking:

Update on the pandemic

Back to normal timing this week with the update on the figures as at Friday 16th April, with last Friday’s figures in brackets. Vaccination data relates only to the first dose unless stated.

Rates of infection in Stockport Borough are at 34.1 per 100,000 (38.5) which remain above the national average of 29.3 (27.9). New cases are at 14 per day (16.1).

Vaccinations of a first dose by 13th April had reached 149,522 (145,000) – no further update by Friday - except to say we are now at 59.2 (59.1 on 13th) of the entire 18+ population. 17.8% (17.1%) of the 18+ population have now received two doses

You can now get self testing kits from  Marple FROM 2PM each day. I went yesterday but was too early. Just because you had the jab twice you could still be a carrier.

[Malcolm Allan]

Apologies, I lost track of how to start a new string and thanks to admin, this is now its own topic. I've just added the last two and today's update to give some backtracking:

Update on the pandemic

Back to normal timing this week with the update on the figures as at Friday 16th April, with last Friday’s figures in brackets. Vaccination data relates only to the first dose unless stated.

Rates of infection in Stockport Borough are at 34.1 per 100,000 (38.5) which remain above the national average of 29.3 (27.9). New cases are at 14 per day (16.1).

Vaccinations of a first dose by 13th April had reached 149,522 (145,000) – no further update by Friday - except to say we are now at 59.2 (59.1 on 13th) of the entire 18+ population. 17.8% (17.1%) of the 18+ population have now received two doses

[Malcolm Allan]

Update on the pandemic

A bit later than normal due to the period of mourning for HRH Prince Philip. Here’s the usual weekly update on the figures as at Friday 9th April, with last Friday’s figures in brackets. Vaccination data relates only to the first dose.
 
Rates of infection in Stockport Borough are at 38.5 per 100,000 (65.1) which remain above the national average of 27.9 (50.2). New cases are at 16.1 per day (27).
Vaccinations of a first dose by 13th April had reached 149,522 (145,000) which is 59.1 (57.6) of the entire 18+ population. 17.1% of the 18+ population have now received two doses

[Malcolm Allan]

Update on the pandemic

A bit later than normal but here’s the usual weekly update on the figures as at Friday 2nd April, with last Friday’s figures in brackets. Vaccination data relates only to the first dose.
Rates of infection in Stockport Borough are at 65.1 per 100,000 (78.4) which remain above the national average of 50.2 (57.7). New cases are at 27 per day (33).
Vaccinations of a first dose by Wednesday 31st March had reached 145,000 (133,527) which is 90.6 % of the over 50s and 57.6% (53.6%) of the entire 18+ population, or 45.9% of the total population.
The new business restart grants are now available via the Stockport Council website at https://www.stockport.gov.uk/restart-grants
and is open until April 30th.

Last week the Council Pandemic Response Team had 6 complaints, wrote to 556 hospitality premises advising about 12th April regulations and had 12 complaints of illegal gatherings. The police had 49 reports they investigated over last weekend. They will put on more resources from the April 12th. Event organisers will be asked to share their risk assessments when they request the necessary approval from the council for any event to go ahead. 

[Malcolm Allan]

*Apologies I was given the wrong information about one aspect on my post below.

Vaccinations are being managed by local groupings of GP practices. There are 7 in Stockport Borough. All 7 will have started to give vaccinations to care homes and over 80s by 15th January. Some have started already. They will not be complete by 15th January. Sorry!

[Malcolm Allan]

Some coronavirus information

Data for the Borough of Stockport: Cases are now at an average of 378.3 cases per 100,000 (up from 225.6 last week), with the higher figures in those wards bordering those with Manchester. Testing is finding 150.6 new cases per day compared to 94.6 last week. Parts of the UK have much worse data but action is still important for our area.

Vaccinations started in the Borough last week and it is expected all care home residents and over 80s will have been given their first shot by 15th January. As of this Monday 1,400 out of 2,000 care home staff had been vaccinated. Stockport is targeting 10,000 vaccinations a week shortly. Stockport has decided NOT to stand down second appointments and honouring those already made over the next fortnight
WARNING: apparently there is a scam going round saying patients will be vaccinated at home (not true; all is being done via GPs) and/or asking for bank details prior to vaccinations. Please be wary.

Well being
Guidance is available on the following web site which has lots of contact details

https://assets.ctfassets.net/ii3xdrqc6nfw/3T4vNp5hs1hg3Npm2zbGEa/6e7a5442b2495e00510fcdf772c11ab7/Support_in_Stockport_if_you-re_feeling_anxious__stressed_or_low.pdf

that’s a long address to copy or cut and paste so alternatively go to the Coronavirus page on the Stockport MBC web site and then hit the “Health and Well being" tab.

[Malcolm Allan]

Some Covid information
Many businesses will already have followed up on grants available during this second lockdown. If not, it is worth applying for the local discretionary grants – information was updated yesterday on:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/discretionary-grant-schemes

Testing guidance has been updated which includes information on lateral flow test and quick tests.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-tests-and-testing-kits-for-coronavirus-covid-19-work

It’s also worth people noting the the Health and Safety Executive are now visiting premises to check they are following Covid guidance.

Anyone can be forgiven for being confused about the restrictions that apply from 2nd December. Plus the Government web site is, in my opinion getting harder and harder to navigate. This is the page for the tier rules from 2nd December, different from the ones when we were last in tiers.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know

Flu vaccinations have now been extended free to people aged 50-64 (up to now 65 and over and young children were free). Health and Social Care staff will also be eligible for a free jab, all via your own GP practice.

[Malcolm Allan]

Overnight, the government have published further information about business grants which is a copy of their guidance to councils, who are still setting up their systems to take action. In some cases this doesn’t add a lot but there is a little about discretionary grants. There is also final guidance on the extended furlough scheme.
I need to correct my posts below which said cash grants will be given to those defined as “Extremely Vulnerable Persons”. The help that will be given, yet to be determined by the local council, is based on a cash grant per capita from government to the council, but is not expected to include any cash payments to individuals. The help is more likely to be in-kind or as before food/vouchers to a certain value. Apologies. All those defined in this category should have received a government letter by now.

[Malcolm Allan]

COVID
The following may be helpful to people for the 4 week lock down. I’ll update further when I know more.

What is staying open:
Playgrounds
Tips (recycling centres)
Libraries that are already open including Marple
Bin collections continue as now

Grants for businesses
Businesses and retailers/pubs forced to close or which are severely impacted by the lock down have two potential grants:
“Local Restriction Support Grant (Closed)” which is the announced Government help
And
“Additional Restrictions Grant”, which is a local discretionary grant.
Both will be obtained through Stockport Council who are still waiting for the final guidance from the Government.

These are both in addition to the Local Restriction Grant Schemes for the time we have been in Tier 2 and 3 – again waiting for some confirmation but details on this is on Government web sites.

Extremely Vulnerable Residents
For those in this category who are required to shield/protect themselves for the next four weeks, there is a cash support which is grant funded by the Government. Again details awaited.

[Malcolm Allan]

Covid 19 Update
People will know the infection rate is increasing. If you want to keep up to date with these figures, they are updated weekly on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-covid-19-surveillance-reports. This includes data for Stockport although you have to look through a long document!
Stockport is currently on the watch list with the rate at 48.7 per 100,000
There are four testing centres in Stockport. There are walk-in centres at Tiviot Dale, Brinnington and Hazel Grove with the other a mobile centre. They are open 8.00am -8.00 pm, 7 days a week. In every case an advance booking has to be made via the national websites
There is a lot of guidance on line now. I’m not responsible for it! It can be confusing and difficult to read. If anyone needs help, please feel welcome to contact me. I’m not an expert but I can find things for you. The useful updated guidance covers:
•   Coronavirus FAQs on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
•   Closures (and opening) of business on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/closing-certain-businesses-and-venues-in-england.
•   Downloadable resources – particularly helpful for shops and business, including a free downloadable QR code for your business – takes a few days https://covid19.nhs.uk/information-and-resources.html
•   Guidance on funerals on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.
There is a local book of condolence where you can include tributes on line http://www.condolence.website/

[Malcolm Allan]

FACE MASKS INFO - Exemptions

There are several exemptions to wearing face coverings, including children under the age of 11, anyone with a disability or condition which means they are unable to wear one, transport staff and emergency services. I know that some residents may be concerned about how they can show they are exempt.
A Journey Assist card was launched by TFGM last month to help those who are exempt from wearing a face covering. The card, which can be downloaded to a device or printed off and used as a flash pass, is available by contacting TFGM’s customer team on 0161 244 1000 or through the TfGM website https://tfgm.com/contact
The card is also available in Travelshops across Greater Manchester. Journey Assistance cards from other transport operators are also recognised.
Another organisation, “Hidden Disabilities” have produced a range of products for these situations, see https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/shop.html and their ‘face covering exempt’ cards are 55p each.

Testing
The council are encouraging any Stockport residents who are unwell, to get tested either by emailing  http:// testing@stockport.gov.uk, or through booking at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/ or by phoning 119.
 

[Malcolm Allan]

Remembering victims of the virus

There will be an inter-faith service to remember those we have lost, taking place at Manchester cathedral this Thursday 16th from 11-12 noon. Anyone can watch it live via facebook on

https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterCathedral