Minutes:
Cllr Stewart welcomed everybody to the reconvened meeting and requested the Director of Public Health (DPH) to provide his update to the board.
As with previous meetings of the board, the DPH provided members with an overview of the current situation via a presentation, the key points of which included.
Members were advised on the current status of the pandemic across the country regarding infection rates per 100,000 population, which demonstrated overall that rates of infection had reduced, however those rates differed in different areas. This showed a really positive picture nationally and in regard to our local area, we had also seen infection rates reducing.
It was acknowledged that data concerning the Island, the latest data showed the Island infection rate was 123 cases as a seven-day rate across all ages. The case detection rate stood at 83 per 100,000 population. The positivity rate during testing had also reduced to 4.1 and continued to fall. Such reductions were good news and mirrored trends across Hampshire.
It was noted that in wave one of the virus there was only pillar one testing in hospital, Island cases had peaked in early January and there were a couple of mini peaks prior, however case numbers continued to fall. The reduction in numbers was a result of the Island population following the guidance and for the Local Authority working together to reduce the spread of infection.
The highest age range testing positive was within the working age population, which was not surprising. Infection rates had fallen in the older population, this was good news as these were more likely to suffer severe consequences as a result, this would impact on the number of hospital admissions and the ITU capacity.
The number of hospital cases had levelled off and was beginning to decrease. This was after a large peak in cases, which modelling had shown would remain high briefly, before the data began to show reductions in this area as well. Sadly, in contrast the level of mortality had increased mid-January, although members were reminded that there was a delay between rates of infections reducing and the number of hospitalisations and deaths and the trend had started to reduce in those areas.
Moves were underway, subject to Department of Health approval on the establishment of a community testing programme. This would assist in the identification of those front facing workers who were asymptomatic. Identifying those individuals would help break the chain of transmission and offer another tool to help manage and control the virus. It was noted the portal for companies with employees over 50 was already available, with further changes in the programme concerning day setting staff and schools. These were delivered through lateral flow tests twice a week, 3-5 days apart, every week for a 6 week programme.
A number of vaccination sites had been set up across the Island and the NHS programme had been successful, the Island were nearly through the cohort of people eligible for a vaccination. It was acknowledged that people needed to be encouraged to take up the vaccination as there were a number of different variants of the virus, and the vaccine offered some protection.
Concern was raised regarding the beginning of April 2021 when hospitality started to reopen and asked if a strategy was in place to keep islanders safe as well as allowing the economy to recover. The Director for Public Health advised that the government was due to announce its plan on 22 February 2021 which would be closely watched. In the summer opening of businesses had happened and it was believed this needed to be replicated to help manage the spread of the virus, and get to a place where it became a way of living.
A series of webinars for businesses were being provided, on how to open up and remain Covid safe. A press announcement had been made to encourage businesses to engage.
Concern was raised that people were unsure if they were eligible for the vaccination and it was discussed that further information was required to ensure those people over 70 who had not been contacted should contact the NHS to receive their vaccination. The next cohort of people were the over 60’s and extremely vulnerable, people were being invited according to eligibility.
The Chief Executive advised that if community testing was progressed, an increase in the number of cases may be seen on the Island, although it was noted that it would not be a bad thing as those not showing symptoms would be found, and it gave key workers security that they could go about their job and be confident when going home. It was important to continue the hands-face-space message, even if you had a vaccination which would help in getting on top of the virus.
It was noted that it was difficult to put any timeframes on reopening of businesses on the Island, we needed to be really cautious and look at the rate of infection and mange that. During February half term lock down would remain in place and people were required to stay at home. Reopening of schools would be the first stage, schools had access to Lateral Flow tests and would be rolling out similar programmes. There would be an impact as more people were vaccinated, with a reduction of infection to people not getting sick. This continued to be monitored and this board would remain to brief on decisions, it was anticipated that we might be able to look forward to some sort of summer.