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:
Somerset coronavirus vaccination programme extended
Three more GP-led community vaccination sites will start to vaccinate people in highest priority groups in Somerset this week. The final three primary care network (PCN) areas will join the existing ten sites launched over the past few weeks across the county, as part of a phased delivery plan.
The new vaccination sites include: Wincanton Community Hospital, College Way Surgery in Taunton, and Wellington Community Hospital. Practice teams have been working hard to develop and prepare the new community locations, ready to welcome the first people to have their vaccine over the next few days.
Health and care teams across the county have been working closely with national NHS colleagues to set up local GP vaccination services for the most vulnerable people, alongside the national delivery schedule.
It is expected that the new GP-led sites will be using both the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and the newly approved Oxford/AstraZeneca for the priority groups identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) including care home residents, people aged over 80 and frontline health and care staff.
Watch – Clinton Rogers finds out more about vaccinations
In the latest Somerset Covid Catch Up film, former BBC Points West producer Clinton Rogers looks at how vaccinations are being rolled out in Somerset. The short film focuses on how Somerset’s councils are working with the NHS to make sure priority groups get their jabs. Click here to view: https://youtu.be/zt-9airOnR8
Brew up and beat the ‘Blue Monday’ blues
Samaritans’ Brew Monday will kick off on 18 January, the third Monday in January, which is usually known as ‘Blue Monday’.
Somerset County Council is supporting the campaign – to raise awareness of the positive things you can do to support your emotional health – by encouraging people to get together over a warming virtual ‘cuppa’, on the day that is thought to be the most depressing day of the year.
The months since the pandemic arrived have been difficult. With another national lockdown under way, we are all feeling the pressure that comes with coronavirus, so, now more than ever, sharing a ‘cuppa’ is more than a drink – it’s about making contact, checking in and staying connected.
The Council is asking everyone to join them this ‘Brew Monday’ by reaching out to someone for a virtual ‘cuppa’ and a chat.
Domestic abuse – hiding in the shadow of lockdown
Somerset County Council is reassuring the public that help is, and will continue to be, available for people seeking help who are experiencing abuse from their partner or a family member.
The current Government guidelines allow you to leave your home to flee danger, this includes an abusive relationship.
Domestic abuse has regularly been defined as a “hidden crime”. Even before the current pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and restrictions, people often encountered controlling domestic abuse behind closed doors – making it difficult for them to seek help.
Please keep following lockdown rules
As we start the weekend, please remember that we are still in a national lockdown. Restrictions are challenging, but we must keep going to drive down the infection rate in Somerset.
Under the rules of the national lockdown:
- You must stay at home
- Work from home if you can
- You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary, e.g. to shop for basic necessities, seek medical assistance or get a COVID-19 test
- You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with
- You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day.
- Colleges, secondary and primary schools are closed, and open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers
The restrictions are set out here: National lockdown: Stay at Home – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)