Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Wyre Forest has the highest rate of infection in Worcestershire 28 September 2020

The Director of Public Health is appealing to the residents of Wyre Forest to stop the spread of COVID-19, as the district now has the highest infection rate in Worcestershire.

Latest data shows that Wyre Forest has an infection rate of 49 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the County’s overall rate of 39 per 100, 000 people.

The cases in the district are rising in those under 50, and in households. Kidderminster in particular is seeing a rise in numbers, especially amongst younger people. Read the full news story about the infection rate in Wyre Forest.

Government announcement 22 September 2020

  • workers should work from home where possible
  • all pubs, bars and restaurants must be table service only and must close at 10pm from Thursday 24 September
  • the requirement to wear a face covering has now extended to staff in retail, staff in hospitality and passengers in taxis
  • weddings are now limited to 15 people, funerals remain at a limit of 30 people

Website: PM Commons statement on coronavirus: 22 September 2020 (opens in a new window)

The NHS COVID-19 app is now live and available for everyone to use

The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. Website: Download the app for free now (opens in a new window)

It is vital for venues within hospitality, leisure, tourism, close contact services, local authority venues and places of worship to display a QR Code. Website: Businesses information and resources from NHS (opens in a new window)

Care Home visits across the county

Extra Care and Supported Living will be subject to the same restrictions.Families across Worcestershire are being asked not to visit loved ones in care homes, to protect them from Covid-19. Our Public Health teams have taken the precautionary decision to close visits to all care homes with immediate effect. Only essential or compassionate visits will be allowed.

Dr. Kathryn Cobain, Director for Public Health for Worcestershire said: “ We have been assessing the situation in Worcestershire very closely. The decision to stop care home, extra care and supported living visits is a difficult one to take. We have tried to balance the emotional health and wellbeing of our residents, with keeping them safe from Covid. By stopping visits county wide, we are acting to protect our vulnerable residents from the virus.

I appreciate this will be upsetting and frustrating for families and I want to reassure you that we have acted to save lives. We will continue to review this situation. For now this is a sensible precautionary measure, it is better to act sooner rather than later. “ News article: Care Homes across the county to be halted

Update from Dr Kathryn Cobain the Director for Public Health in Worcestershire:

We are seeing an increase in cases in some parts of Worcestershire. This is in line with other parts of the country, including some of close neighbours. We continue to monitor and assess the Covid-19 cases each day and follow our outbreak control plan. We will introduce measures and actions to protect residents where needed. 
 
It is really important for us all to keep going right now and not to be complacent. Covid-19 is still with us, in our communities and the places we visit. We all want to beat this virus and we can do it, if we follow the advice. It is up to each one of us to do our bit by hand washing, using face coverings where necessary and keeping our distance. They are simple measures but they do work.

 

What is coronavirus (COVID-19) and what are the symptoms?
Shielding advice
Here2Help Worcestershire
Here2Help Business
Outbreak Control Plan
COVID-19 research in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
Face coverings
Government announcements

COVID-19, Domestic Abuse and Your Community

You might be worried about yourself or a friend or relative’s wellbeing during the pandemic. If so, help is available:

SafeLives ending domestic abuse # you are not alone
Safe Lives have all the domestic abuse resources in a one stop link:
Website: SafeLives ending domestic abuse - Domestic abuse and COVID-19 (opens in a new window)
Free phone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

West Mercia Women’s Aid Helpline 24 hours a day on 0800 980 3331
Website: West Mercia Women's Aid (opens in a new window)

Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm)

In an emergency always dial 999

For more information about this service and further domestic abuse related information and services please visit the Worcestershire County Council Domestic abuse website.

We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert

This means you must:

  • stay at home as much as possible
  • work from home if you can
  • limit contact with other people
  • keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
  • wash your hands regularly

Website: Coronavirus (COVID‑19) from GOV.UK (opens in a new window)

There is more information about what you can and cannot do on the FAQs on the gov.uk website (opens in new window).

Who can I contact if I can't find the information I need?

If you have a query or issue that cannot be addressed within the guidance, please do not hesitate to contact the Health Protection Team at Public Health England:

Website: Public Health England (opens in a new window)

Telephone: 0344 225 3560

Telephone out of hours: 01384 679031