Ensure half term activities don't involve catching covid warns Swindon Borough Council

Director of Public Health Steve Maddern reminds members of the public about covid prevention methods to help avoid the spread in Swindon.

Mr Maddern says his advice can be broken down into three main points:

1. Booster vaccines are available to all people over the age of 50, as well as health and social care workers and those aged 16 and over who have an underlying health condition – book using the online National Booking Service.
2. Parents can now use the online National Booking Service to arrange to have their child vaccinated outside of school, with online booking for the STEAM Museum in Swindon is available now. Children will still be able to get vaccinated at school, with the school-based programme resuming after the half-term holidays.
3. Washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask in crowded places will help protect yourself and loved ones. When meeting people inside, open windows and doors to ventilate the room.

The National Booking service can be accessed at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=make_sure_your_half_term_activities_dont_include_catching_covid&utm_term=2021-10-24

Mr Maddern continued: "Back in September, the Government published its plan for managing covid-19 over the Autumn and Winter, which forecast the currently high and increasing level of covid-19 cases and hospitalisations that we are seeing in Swindon and across the country.

"Heading into winter, which already causes pressures on our health services, we can’t afford to be complacent. Even if you’ve had both covid-19 vaccinations, you can still catch and pass on the virus to vulnerable people in the community who could end up in hospital."

The Government plan for Autumn/Winter can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=make_sure_your_half_term_activities_dont_include_catching_covid&utm_term=2021-10-25

Swindon's Director of Public Health finished his statement by saying: "We all need to play our part to reduce that risk. Swindon: it’s up to all of us."

Swindon Borough Council are encouraging secondary school or college students to continue testing at home throughout half term. The council says they should report every result whether positive, negative or void on the Government's website at https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

A council spokesperson said: "It's also really important to encourage your children to take a lateral flow test before they return to school or college, as this helps stop the spread of the virus before it can travel further."

Face Masks

Swindon Borough Council are also encouraging members of the public to wear masks where they can, as the numbers of covid cases in Swindon has increased recently. 

The council says it strongly recommends people wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed areas where they come into contact with people they would not usually meet (for example, on public transport or in shops). 

When someone with covid-19 breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they release particles (droplets and aerosols) which may contain the virus that causes covid-19. These particles can be breathed in by another person. 

More informtion on why face coverings are important can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=make_sure_your_half_term_activities_dont_include_catching_covid&utm_term=2021-10-25

Covid case and vaccine data updates

From 12 - 17 October, there were 2,115 new covid-19 cases in Swindon, up from 623 the previous week. 

As of 22 October, the covid-19 case rate in Swindon was 949 per 100k, up from 280 the previous week. The South West average was 678 per 100k, while the England average was 462 per 100k.

As of 22 October, a further 973 residents have had their first dose of the covid-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of people aged 18 and over vaccinated with the first dose to 164,501 (85.4%).

A total of 1,071 residents have had their second dose of the covid-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of Swindon residents aged 18 and over who are fully vaccinated to 156,470 (81.2%).