Today’s update includes:
- Requests and Offers from the Stroud Coronavirus Community Response team and beyond
- Summary of local news
- Key national and international news
Requests and Offers from the Stroud Coronavirus Community Response team and beyond
- We now have over 4222 members in our Facebook group (welcome to the 81 new members this week).
- We posted a reminder to please use our OFFER/REQUEST/IMPORTANT UPDATE/QUESTION system when submitting posts to our Facebook Group. We’ve dealt with 2108 posts in the past month, and it makes moderating much easier if people use this system
- If you are trading in the Stroud District please feel free to join the Local Services section on our NeighbourNetworks website. You can add your business to the listings via our simple form: https://forms.gle/zLmNEcencgqTUSop9
- Stroud Town Clerk gave an IMPORTANT UPDATE Information from Public Health England on how they are using data to track the virus https://www.facebook.com/groups/stroudcorona/permalink/256123932242035/
- My Swansong asked us to let you know that they can help manage your affairs and protect your legacy – All for JUST £1 PER YEAR – click below to find out more & SIGN UP TODAY ❤️https://www.facebook.com/groups/stroudcorona/permalink/256141868906908/
- Guideposts in Gloucester wants you to know that Stay Connected is a free helpline for anyone anxious about self-isolation or who needs support at this time.https://www.facebook.com/groups/stroudcorona/permalink/256203725567389/
- Natalie Ashman recommends Creed foodservice for home delivered food https://www.facebook.com/groups/stroudcorona/permalink/255398892314539/
- Rachel Fairburn is ‘JustGiving’ to make scrubs for nhs and carers in Dursley https://www.facebook.com/groups/stroudcorona/permalink/256111278909967/ and we also know that Gloucestershire Sewing for the NHS is also needing more donations. They have many willing sewers and even more PPE requests. They have a website, and a Stroud district coordinator: Pennie Heathcote – gloucestershiresewingteam@gmail.com https://www.gloucestershiresewingforthenhs.co.uk/
Local updates:
- There have been 163 confirmed deaths of patients who had tested positive for coronavirus in Gloucestershire – a daily increase of 11 on the 152 confirmed deaths on Thursday. Of those who died, 141 were being treated at Gloucestershire Hospitals while 22 were being cared for through Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. The total number of confirmed cases in Gloucestershire was put at 1,053 in figures released by Public Health England on Friday – a daily increase of 32. (Glos live) https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/live-coronavirus-updates-human-vaccine-4074108
- Gloucestershire Live asked MPs and the NHS why Gloucestershire has more Covid-19 cases than the rest of the South West. They asked all six Conservative Gloucestershire MPs, the Government and local health chiefs why they thought there were more deaths in the county than in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, none of them mentioned the Cheltenham Festival. As of Thursday, Gloucestershire has suffered more cases (1053) than the City of Bristol (543), South Gloucestershire (311) and North Somerset (190) combined (1044), but not as many deaths (163) compared to the total of 182 for the three areas (Bristol and South Glos 133 and North Somerset 49) https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/asked-mps-nhs-gloucestershire-more-4072127
- Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie posted on Facebook: “If you’re a key worker who is self-isolating (not able to leave home), you can apply for you and your household to get tested for coronavirus.” https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/18402944.covid-19-essential-workers-can-book-tests-online-to-make-testing-simpler/
- Stroud News and Journal have released a really useful article signposting places to get help with your mental health during lockdown https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/18399586.support-available-people-struggling-mental-health-lockdown/
- Stroud District Council asks us all to keep our Bin collection crews safe and cheer them up with a smile. Bin collections are one of the essential services Stroud District Council has pledged to try and keep running as normal during the Coronavirus pandemic. Collectors have experienced many grateful gestures but also 3 incidents of abuse this week https://www.facebook.com/305342780003167/posts/736369440233830/
- “Tweedy” the clown is launching a new weekly ‘School Games’ challenge for primary school children across Gloucestershire. It’s organised by Gloucestershire School Games Organisers and Active Gloucestershire and is being promoted through all schools across the county. https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/18403713.tweedy-launches-gloucestershire-school-games-challenge/
National news:
- As of 9am 24 April, 612,031 tests have concluded, with 28,532 tests on 23 April. 444,222 people have been tested of which 143,464 tested positive. As of 5pm on 23 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 19,506 have sadly died.(DHSC twitter) https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1253688601637986304
- Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says 16,000 tests have been booked on new website. It was closed temporarily after slots were all taken (BBC)
International developments:
- There are now over 2.75m documented cases of Covid-19 ( 2761121) and sadly at least 193671 people have died of the virus. Johns Hopkins tracker: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html,
- The number of deaths in the US has passed 50,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. The White House says Donald Trump’s remarks on disinfectants were taken out of context but Doctors and a disinfectant firm have issued warnings after he suggested injecting disinfectant
- Global leaders launch WHO initiative to speed up development of vaccines, drugs and tests
- Most Muslims will observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting under lockdown
(All BBC)
Notes
Please remember we have a (growing) list of resources to support your emotional and mental health during this time on our website.
Thanks to everyone who helped create this update through our Facebook group. If you submit posts, we will often decline posting them to the discussion directly and instead hold them till the single daily summary – to try to reduce the number of posts in the feed and make it easier for people to follow the information. Please continue to submit posts to admins for this purpose with a flag REQUEST / OFFER / UPDATE / QUESTION