· NHS
· Environmental Health
Minutes:
Amanda Sullivan, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG updated the Board and highlighted the following:
a) The levels of people in hospital with Covid was rising. There had been some fluctuations but there was a steady state of admissions to hospital for people with Covid. As a result, all services were being put under significant pressures, not exclusively relating to Covid but people were coming presenting with various other non-Covid issues. This affected GPs, Surgeries and Ambulance Services as well as community and social services.
b) 89 people admitted to hospital in the 7 days in run up to the 8 August 2021 compared to 92 the previous week. 131 people had been admitted with Covid week ending the 19 August, with 22 of those admitted requiring ventilation and 7 deaths in the week. Whilst there was a low level number of people dying with Covid the pandemic remained very much evident.
c) The number of people who are becoming seriously ill and admitted to hospital had decreased since the first wave. Approximately 60% of those admitted to hospital had not received any vaccinations and 10% of those having only received one dose of the vaccination. Approximately 95% of Covid patients in Intensive Treatment Unit had not received any vaccination and it was evident that the vaccinations both reduced the changes of contracting the illness but also significantly reduced the severity of it.
d) At the beginning of the pandemic, the demographics were very different and the majority of patients and those dying from Covid were the elderly. Since the vast majority of that age group had now been double vaccinated, the average age of those currently being admitted were unvaccinated people in their 30’s and 40’s
e) Targeted communications was underway to continue to emphasise the importance of getting double vaccinated, with particular emphases being placed on getting the message to the younger generations.
f) Additional work was being undertaken to also encourage pregnant women to have the vaccinations as there had been increased evidence that they were safe for birthing women. There was a joined up approach to getting the message across and the correct information was being provided to health care workers and mid-wives to ensure a consistent approach. It was noted that evidence suggested that pregnant women were more susceptible to the Delta variant of Covid and thus the need to educate pregnant women on their vaccination options was essential. Due to the length of the pandemic, it was reported that real time factual information was available to pregnant women and to health care workers/those coming into contact with pregnant women.
The Chair thanked Amanda for her update.
Matthew Daft - Environmental Health Officer, updated the Board and highlighted the following information:
a) Since the withdrawal of the Covid regulations, Environmental Health had no enforceable powers to intervene on enforcement matters. However, there was a continued commitment to engage and influence where possible.
b) The Environmental Health Team would align alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in dealing with businesses and controlling risks in the work place. There will be a focus on work activity when the risk of transmission is above normal rates
c) As Health and Safety regulators, assistance had been given to various premises and businesses carrying out their risk assessments. Many businesses continued to follow the guidance on ‘Keeping Workplaces Safe’ and information was being given in steps that could prevent COVID-19 spreading in their workplace. This included cleaning, handwashing, hygiene as well as emphasising the importance of good ventilation.
d) Where the Environmental Health Team had worked with businesses where there had been either an outbreak investigation or protective intervention, the support they had offered had been welcomed and on the whole businesses had been cooperative.
e) With the Government’s plan to require proof of vaccinations at large venues including nightclubs and large sporting venues, advice would be given to these premises about the ‘Covid status certification’. The Team would soon be undertaking an Inspection project of nightclubs and would provide them with information and advice with the ‘Covid status certificates’. Advice would also be given about the importance of ventilation in helping reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.