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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:
Walk-in vaccination clinic available at Bath & West this weekend
Residents in Somerset who have not yet had their Covid vaccination are being invited to attend a special drop-in clinic at the large vaccination centre at the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet.
All eligible adults who have not yet had a first dose or booked a slot through the National Booking Service (NBS), can come along to the vaccination site any time between 10am and 6pm on Saturday 12 June and Sunday 13 June.
The walk-in clinics will operate at the Bath and West Showground this weekend, in addition to any existing pre-booked vaccination appointments. People who have a confirmed booking slot for either first or second doses, should continue to attend their bookings as planned.
After the weekend walk-ins, people should book as normal before attending the site.
There is a broad range of vaccination sites in Somerset on offer through the NBS including large vaccination sites, GP-led community sites and an increasing number of new pharmacy-led sites. People can book both first and second doses in advance by calling 119 or visiting: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
This week, the Government announced that anyone aged over 25 can now book their COVID jab through the NBS. Vaccinations also continue to be available for anyone in priority groups 1-12 who have not yet taken up the offer of a vaccine.
All Somerset vaccination sites are following the latest JCVI preference to provide an alternative to the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine for adults under the age of 39, without underlying health conditions.
Lockdown update expected soon
Confirmation from the Government about what will happen to the roadmap out of lockdown on 21 June is expected next week.
Whatever happens, it is vitally important that everyone stays aware of the risk that Covid-19 still poses. With big sporting events to look forward to, and the potentially more transmissible Delta variant circulating please keep following the guidance – hands, face, space, fresh air.
It’s also important to keep taking the rapid tests that are freely available to anyone without coronavirus symptoms in Somerset.
If you are opting to take your rapid tests at home, please remember to register your test result within 24 hours on the GOV.UK website or by calling 119.
Reporting your test result is important because it helps to:
- reduce infection rates in the community
- protect people at higher risk of infection
- prevent and reduce the spread of the virus.
If your rapid test result is positive, you need to:
- self-isolate immediately
- book a follow-up PCR test (which is analysed in a laboratory) on the GOV.UK website or by calling 119.
Those isolating may be eligible to access the test and trace support payment scheme, which provides a £500 payment to help during their isolation.
Full information, including how to apply for the £500 grant can be found below.
Clinton’s Covid catch-up
As many people are aware, GP practices have been experiencing a very busy period over the last few weeks and as a result there are a very high number of patients trying to contact them.
This means there are currently longer waits for routine appointments than usual at some practices. The NHS in Somerset is doing all it can to reduce waiting times but know there are many people needing healthcare help.
This week’s Clinton Covid Catch-up film looks at what this means for you and can be watched here: https://youtu.be/_Pv9k7M4img
Men’s Health Awareness Week
As part of Men’s Health Awareness Week (14 – 20 June), Dave Partlow, Somerset County Council Adult Social Care Strategic Manager, talks about the emotional rollercoaster of working in high stress, frontline jobs, how he dealt with that pressure and his introduction to the Five Ways of Wellbeing – principles of support he was already unconsciously using in his life.
Throughout the pandemic, Dave has supported care providers with advice and guidance, worked with Public Health colleagues on managing and supporting providers through outbreaks, supported the management and provision of PPE, supported the care sector with testing, and managed the care sector vaccination programme.