Minutes:
Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health, gave a presentation updating on the Outbreak Control Plan. She highlighted the following information:
a) In the last few days there has been a dramatic increase in the level of infections in the City and the City now has much higher rates of infection that many other areas in the country. This is a great concern.
b) It appears that a lack of social distancing in indoor places and household mixing is driving the increase in infections.
c) Nottingham is likely to be on the Government watchlist published later in the week and it is anticipated that further restrictions on who can mix and where will be put in place as a result.
d) While it is anticipated that further restrictions will be announced in a few days, citizens are asked to take action now to reduce risks of further spread.
e) The virus is very present in our communities and there is no vaccine yet so it is very easy for the virus to spread. Measures such as social distancing, wearing face coverings, hand washing and not mixing with other households and limiting social contact as much as possible are currently the best defence.
During subsequent discussion the following points were raised:
f) The infection rate in the City has always been around the national average. The virus has been spreading generally across the country but the increase in Nottingham has been much greater and faster than other areas.
g) Current measures to reduce transmission are clearly not sufficient and as a local authority there is a need to do everything possible to protect the most vulnerable. It will be difficult.
h) There are some concentrations of positive cases in particular areas but there has been an increase in positive cases across the whole City, and in County areas.
i) Nationally the virus appears to be affecting younger adults most at the moment and they often display fewer symptoms. Nottingham is a young city, especially with the two university populations and therefore, to some extent, the increase in cases in Nottingham was inevitable.
j) It is apparent that some people haven’t been following the guidance and complying with restrictions, particularly in relation to household mixing indoors.
k) Communications need to be culturally appropriate and clear so that there aren’t mixed messages which confuse people. Communication about measures that people can take is taking place now because locally we don’t want to wait when we already know what the issues are and every effort will be made to work towards what is expected nationally and without being conflicting.
l) Previously the Council supported around 18,000 people who were shielding. Under current guidance the shielding programme is paused. The Council’s approach is ‘dormant’ but remains ready to stand up if required. The position is constantly being reviewed.
m) People travelling into the City for testing could have resulted in spread but it is unlikely to have been a major factor. Testing numbers relate to place of residence and not location of test.
n) Schools in the City are doing very well. There have been some cases but so far no major outbreaks.
o) The number of hospital inpatients has doubled in the last three weeks although it is lower than, for example, in the West Midlands. There has been no increase in the number of deaths in hospitals so far.