All our help and information 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:
Council staff step up to support vaccination programme
More than 700 Somerset County Council staff have stepped up to support the enormous challenge of rolling out the county’s biggest ever vaccination programme.
SCC has been working alongside many partners to support the creation and logistics behind Somerset’s coronavirus vaccination centres, with more than 700 staff offering to support the NHS in any way they can.
This week saw the first community GP-led sites begin vaccinations and follows last week’s launch of the Somerset NHS vaccination programme in hospital hubs, such as Yeovil District Hospital. Further plans are being drawn up to ensure the vaccine is available from other locations in the county and it is likely that when fully operational, sites will operate seven days a week and require a considerable staffing resource.
Christmas: Keep it small, keep it short, keep it local
The Government issued further advice on Christmas get-togethers today with the message: Keep it small, keep it short, keep it local and think of the vulnerable.
Restrictions are being relaxed between 23 and 27 December but the advice is to be cautious and to recognise the risks. People should continue to follow the hands, face, space guidance and to self-isolate if they show symptoms of coronavirus.
The national guidance for self-isolation periods for returning travellers and close contacts of confirmed cases has now changed – and it’s really important to follow the advice. Please remember that what you do NOW will impact your Christmas.
- People who are close contacts of confirmed cases should self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days.
- People who return from countries which are not on the travel corridor list should also self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days.
- People who test positive should continue to self-isolate for 10 days from onset of symptoms or 10 days from point of taking a positive test if asymptomatic.
We have designed some graphics to illustrate why it’s so important to complete the full self-isolation period. Please do share with your friends, family and colleagues: Coronavirus – Useful national and local links (somerset.gov.uk)
New guide for parents and carers
A new coronavirus guide for parents and carers is now available to help them steer a safe course over Christmas. The at-a-glance guide gives advice on a range of scenarios from what to do if a child has Covid-19 symptoms to travelling to a different tier area over the festive break. The handy checker can be found below.