All our help and information for 07/12/2020 is now available in a single place on the SCC website https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-latest-advice/
This page is refreshed through the day so please check in regularly to keep across developments and news.
Public Health dashboard: Detailed Public Health information dashboards are available on our website www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus just scroll down to ‘Covid-19 dashboard’. These are updated daily.
Top stories today:
Somerset’s COVID-19 vaccination programme to begin this week
Yeovil Hospital is preparing to start vaccinating some of the county’s most vulnerable residents against COVID-19 this week. The hospital was amongst 50 hospital hubs, announced last night, which will receive a delivery of the vaccine in the coming days.
The hospital’s Chief Nurse, Shelagh Meldrum, said: “As one of the country’s designated hospital hubs we expect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this week and to then begin vaccinating in line with national guidance. We are working with our health and social care colleagues in Somerset to make the vaccine available to the priority groups that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has identified, before the programme is rolled out to the wider population of Somerset.”
Yeovil Hospital is among 50 hubs in the first wave – more hospitals will start vaccinating over the coming weeks and months as the programme ramps up.
Patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospital as an outpatient, and those who are being discharged home after a hospital stay, will be among the first to receive the vaccine.
Hospitals will also begin inviting over 80s in for vaccination and work with care home providers to book their staff in to vaccination clinics.
Any appointments not used for these groups will be used for healthcare workers who are at highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19. All those vaccinated will need a booster dose 21 days later.
Police working with communities in Somerset
Police are continuing to work with communities to help limit the spread of coronavirus and save lives following the introduction of a new tiered system, helping to keep us all safe until the vaccine has been used widely and becomes effective
The new measures came into force at midnight on Wednesday 2 December following the lifting of the national lockdown. For the first time different parts of our force area will be subject to different levels of restriction.
Connect to a care home and fight loneliness this Christmas
Somerset County Council and the NHS are encouraging organisations across Somerset to connect to their local care home with a new digital campaign, #ConnectACareHome.
Organisations are being asked to send video messages to their local care homes, to help combat the loneliness and isolation experienced by residents and staff who may have been unable to see their loved ones due to Covid restrictions.
Support for Somerset residents
Help is available for anyone in Somerset who may need additional support. The five councils in Somerset have been working together since the first lockdown to provide a single phone number for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support.
Residents are reminded they can call 0300 790 6275 if they need any help themselves or are concerned about relatives or neighbours. Lines are open seven days a week between 8am and 6pm.