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:
Care home film and blog shine light on unsung heroes of the pandemic
The devastating impact of coronavirus on care staff and residents has been laid bare in a powerful account by a Somerset care home.
Linden House in Wellington lost almost a third of its residents as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, and had 80% of its staff self-isolating over the Christmas period.
Sandra Joyce, owner of Linden House, has detailed the daily heartbreak, anxiety, and exhaustion care staff experienced at the hands of a virus that takes no prisoners.
Her story is told in the latest Somerset Covid Catch-up film and blog.
Volunteers step up to help with vaccine roll out
Somerset County Council and the NHS have paid tribute to all the fantastic volunteers supporting Somerset’s Covid-19 vaccination programme.
More than 1,000 people have answered the call supporting 20 vaccination sites across the county including community-based locations, hospital hubs, some GP surgeries and large vaccination centres at Taunton Racecourse and the Bath & West Showground.
Sarah, 38, a project manager who has been volunteering as a marshal at the Taunton Racecourse vaccination site, said: “During my shifts at the vaccination centre I truly felt useful. There is a united feeling across all levels of contribution, that we are in this together and all making a difference.”
10 top things to occupy the kids this lockdown half-term
It can be challenging to keep children entertained during half term at the best of times, let alone during a lockdown.
With isolation, the cold weather, and many children not able to go out on day trips, see grandparents or visit friends – this will not be a normal half term.
Somerset County Council has put together an action-packed list of things to do with your children from home – the aim, to keep children occupied and having fun during the holiday.
Prime Minister’s praise for Somerset’s Covid response
Somerset County Council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been praised by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
In a letter sent to Council Leader David Fothergill, the Prime Minster also said the Government had no concern about the Council’s use of Covid-19 funding and thanked the council for voluntarily reporting back on spending.
New Quarantine rules come into force
From 15 February onwards, a new testing regime for all travellers arriving in England has started, with two tests required during the quarantine process.
They will be required to get a test on days two and eight of their 10-day quarantine period, whether they are isolating at home or in a hotel.
All UK residents who arrive in England after being in a high-risk Covid country now have to quarantine in hotels.
The new regulations, which aim to stop Covid variants entering the country, apply to arrivals who have been in one of the 33 countries on the “red list” in the past 10 days.