Minutes:
As part of an update on Nottingham’s Outbreak Control Plan, Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health, gave a presentation on the situation between 10 and 16 August 2020, highlighting the following information:
a) Indicators suggest a small increase in COVID-19 at a national level with 6,418 new cases in the most recent week, compared to 5,763 cases in the preceding week. Rates vary between regions with highest incidence levels in Oldham, followed by Blackburn (with Darwen)
b) The number of hospitalisations and deaths continues to decline.
c) Within the East Midlands Northamptonshire is classified as an Area of Intervention largely due to an outbreak at the Greencore Factory. Newark remains an Area of Concern but the situation there has not escalated. Nottingham is not on the government’s watchlist.
d) In Nottingham rates have increased slightly with 32 new cases identified in the last week giving a rate of 9.7 cases per 100,000 population which is comparatively low. There have been no deaths for the last five weeks.
e) The majority of cases are now being found amongst working age people but older people tend to be more symptomatic.
f) At a Middle Super Output Area level (representing roughly 5000-6000 population) the highest levels for the whole pandemic have been seen in Bilborough and Clifton. This may have been due to the large number of care homes in these areas.
g) Between 28 May to 12 August 234 people in Nottingham City have been transferred to the contact tracing system. 73% (171) of these were successfully reached, 551 (non-complex) close contacts were identified of which 49% (269) were successfully reached.
During the subsequent discussion the following points were raised:
h) There is concern locally and nationally about the return of students to university as well as about the return of children to schools. There are local Task and Finish Groups for each of these settings and detailed plans are in place which consider all aspects of university life. Universities will operate very differently and more detail can be brought back to a future meeting. There will be no restriction of movement other than those imposed by any local lockdowns that are in place but there will be strict rules as to how students can behave and interact on and off campus.
i) Regarding schools, adult to adult transmission is far more likely than child to adult and or child to child. Each school has a plan for managing this which include measures such as staggered entry and social distancing. Schools will be communicating this with parents. Ongoing support is available to Headteachers with this.
j) Material is available in languages other than English and information is also available in easy read and British Sign Language and for those not on social media.
k) The situation in care homes is significantly improved and though there have been some cases these have been tightly managed. Daily meetings are held to analyse the data and identify any potential outbreaks early.
l) There is some concern about the bank holiday weekend but the population is prepared and generally adheres to guidelines.
Actions
i. Bring details of plans for the return of students and operation of universities back to a future meeting.