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:
Vaccinations: Please be patient
NHS staff and partners are doing an incredible job to deliver what it is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as dealing with a new admission for Covid-19 every 30 seconds, but we need the public to play their part too:
- please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you;
- when we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, so that we can avoid queues in this cold weather;
- and please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives, even if you have already had your vaccine.
For our latest Covid update film, Clinton Rogers was given access to film at the racecourse where he interviewed the centre manager, Helen McEvansoneya. The interview answers many of the common questions people have about the vaccination, gives viewers insight into what to expect when they arrive at the centre, and will hopefully alleviate any anxiety felt by people invited to receive their vaccination.
You can watch it here: Somerset Covid Catch-up Week 7 – 20 January 2021 – YouTube
Vaccination data for Somerset
You can now check Somerset’s vaccination data on our coronavirus dashboard. The information provided by the NHS will be added every Friday. This week’s figures show that a total of 45,713 doses have been administered up to the week ending January 17. The dashboard provides an overview of coronavirus cases, a map, the R number and more detailed district-level information. You can access it here: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/covid-19-dashboard/
Temporary schemes are ending
Following the latest lockdown and closure of non-essential retail, schemes introduced to support social distancing and the reopening of high streets in two Somerset towns are to end.
Temporary schemes introduced last summer in Yeovil and Bridgwater, featuring a pedestrianised zone and one-way system respectively, were funded by Government and overseen by Somerset’s Active Travel Group, which represents the five local councils, police and public health.
Yeovil’s scheme ends on Friday 29 January and Bridgwater’s on Friday 22 January.
The schemes were among a number set up in towns across Somerset. Most have now ended.
Please follow the Countryside Code
With more people using Somerset’s public rights of way for their daily exercise during lockdown, walkers are being asked to make sure that livestock is not disturbed by dogs.
Dog owners are reminded to act responsibly and keep their dogs under close control. When walking your dog in areas used by other people it is advised that dogs are kept on a lead if a physical distance of two metres cannot be adhered to.
Care must also be taken when approaching animals with their young. There’s useful guidance in the Countryside Code: The Countryside Code – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The current Government advice during lockdown is that you can leave your home to exercise and spend time outdoors for recreation, however this should be limited to once per day and should be in your local area.