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Gloucestershire County Council update 19th March

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Gloucestershire County Council. Coronavirus briefing 19 March From: HARPER, Simon <Simon.Harper@gloucestershire.gov.uk>

Sent: 19 March 2020 16:17

Dear ALL

Please see the county councillor update below from Sarah Scott, the Director of Public Health at Gloucestershire County Council. The highlighted sections shows what’s changed compared with yesterday.

We have been receiving enquiries from district councillors across the county and circulation of this information to your members may help to answer some of their questions. You are welcome to delete any content that you feel is not relevant for your members.

Thanks

Simon

The position in Gloucestershire

  • The Strategic Coordination Group (SCG), chaired by Sarah Scott, Director of Public Health at the county council is the multi-agency group consisting of partners from across the county who is leading Gloucestershire’s response to Covid-19. The group is currently meeting weekly. It is supported by a “Tactical Coordination Group” (TCG) that is responsible for delivering the actions from the SCG.
  • Public Health England (PHE) has formally confirmed 12 cases in the county.
  • Total Deaths in Gloucestershire: 0
  • Total Confirmed Cases in South West: 117
  • A video from Sarah Scott covering a number of areas related to Covid-19 is available at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/covid-19
  • Further advice and guidance is being shared with county council staff today to support them in working remotely
  • Work is ongoing to support schools, staff and parents in light of the Government’s announcement to close all schools from next week, to the majority, but not all children
  • Education colleagues are finalising planning to ensure young people who receive a free school meal continue to receive that meal, even if they will not be attending school
  • Adult and children services will continue to support the most vulnerable in the county; they know who they are and what they need to do to keep them safe and protected
  • Where possible, workers are still going out to visit those who need the council’s support the most, whilst making sure all necessary steps are taken to keep staff and the community safe
  • The NHS in Gloucestershire is taking responsible steps to plan ahead and respond to the unfolding Covid-19 situation. Here is a link to the latest information from the NHS on service advice and developments: NHS update

National information

Total UK Tests: 56,221

Total UK Cases: 2,626

Total UK Deaths: 103

Updated guidance called ‘Staying at Home’ is now available.

Social distancing

In case you have not yet seen it, here is the latest guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults, which was published on 16 March 2020. This guidance also includes a note on the group of vulnerable people who are at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and who should therefore expect to be contacted directly with advice on the more stringent measures they should take in order to keep themselves and others safe

A summary of advice is below:

Government guidance

The Prime Minister announced the closure of schools (including FE colleges) indefinitely from the end of Friday:

  • Schools will remain open for children of keyworkers and vulnerable students
  • Free school meals will continue to be provided through vouchers
  • Exams will not take place in May/June
  • Requesting that nurseries and private schools follow same guidance

Emergency legislation will be brought to Parliament, including a ban on new evictions.

The Government has published the following relevant guidance:

  • social distancing
  • employers and businesses
  • Mass gatherings
  • residential care provision, supported living provision and home care provision
  • local government
  • The Department for Education has set up a helpline offering guidance for anyone with education related questions

Other information and guidance is available here: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/covid-19

This will be updated daily, Monday to Friday

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