Staff briefing roundup

Welcome & General update – Rob Gerlis

COVID national and regional picture

• The ‘R’ rate in the East of England is between 1.2– 1.4, the same as the rest of the UK
• Essex County Council area is at high alert (Tier 2). This excludes Thurrock and Southend which are unitary authorities which are still in Tier 1, a medium alert
• The number of cases detected by testing in the last two weeks is 20,890 in the UK on 26 October, with a seven day average of 21,926 on 23 October (up from 17,649 on 16 October)
• The total number of patients admitted to hospital has increased to 990 in England on 24 October, with daily deaths at 90 on 26 October
• 6% of the population is estimated to test positive for antibodies
• The number of positive COVID tests in Essex was 25% higher w/e 23 October compared to w/e 16 October
• Thurrock reported the highest number over 14 days (468 positive tests) and the highest rate at 134 per 100,000 population
• Epping Forest saw 297 positive COVID cases, Harlow 133 and Uttlesford 141.
• The total number of positive cases in Essex is 3,566
• Care homes – 13 care homes with COVID cases – much better prepared and are coping in a better way – all are various stages of 28 days
• New code for the doors in CCG – please contact comms if you did not receive the updated code

Local update – Ian Tompkins

• A letter from Anne Radmore, Regional Director, NHS East of England:
  • thanks to all staff for all their hard work
  • gives clarification on the approach to managing COVID and other pressures
  • safety of staff is the highest priority – especially high-risk colleagues e.g. BAME
  • formal shielding is not in place but vulnerable people are to get support from local voluntary sector colleagues e.g. volunteer responders
• We have reinstated GOLD calls – helping to respond across the area, swap notes, and have the right resources in place to support areas
• Health inequalities and prevention group formed – chaired by Epping County Council and deputy chaired by Essex County Council
• There have been improvements in the national system – working hard to reduce demand on Labourites – doing approximately  400,000 every day nationally
• Keyworker testing will remain in place for the time being until we have more stable lab capacity across the area
• Staff Survey – Don’t forget to complete your staff survey. It’s important you share your ideas, suggestions, and thoughts with us so we can improve and build on what we are doing as an employer, for you
• Staff partnership group are to have a regular spot in these staff briefing meetings, sharing exciting information outside of our COVID updates
• If you are coming into the office it’s really important you let Jackie know that you are coming in. This is to keep everyone safe and ensure we comply with COVID guidelines
• Extra flu vaccinations are to take place on 3 and 4 November – more details will be cascaded shortly
• Office equipment – for those that have office equipment at home, we will be completing an inventory – just a quick survey to confirm what everyone has, we will then send a bar code so we have an asset register
• Christmas payday will be as normal – 23 December
• Christmas quiz – 17 December – new format including a buzzer round and fancy dress

Your questions

Q: Do we know when they are going to review the status?

A: No, we are not aware of any changes to the classifications