Update by the Director of Public Health
Minutes:
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6.1 |
The Director of Public Health provided a Coronavirus (Covid-19) position statement. With regards to the Epidemiology, he stated that the rate of infection was in decline as a result of the impact of the lockdown and the R rate was currently just below 1. Test positivity was 4.5% from 12-13% last month.
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6.2 |
The case rate had come down but was starting to increase again. There were still a significant number of cases but Sheffield had the lowest number of cases in South Yorkshire. This was higher than the England rate.
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6.3 |
Hospitalisation was decreasing which indicated that the vaccination programme was having an effect. Cases among the elderly were falling rapidly but cases in the working age population were increasing.
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6.4 |
The roadmap was right to cautiously lift restrictions. There will be an uptick in cases. The basic public health messages needed to be continued. Autumn and winter would be of more concern and could see a further surge in cases.
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6.5 |
The vaccination programme was going well with over 45% of the adult population receiving their first dose. The city was supporting the NHS and if supply remained good, cohorts 1-9 would be vaccinated by April. The evidence was clear that the vaccination was working.
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6.6 |
The vaccination programme was now actively planning and delivering the second dose. There were some side effects, but the benefits outweighed them. There was no direct evidence to support a link between the Astra-Zenica vaccine and DVT. It was safe and effective.
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6.7 |
Inequality and accessibility was an issue. Sheffield City Council was supporting a transport pilot to take people who needed it to venues. Supply may become an issue.
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6.8 |
The Outbreak Plan and its four priorities had recently been reviewed and no major changes had been made.
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