Lifestyle

Oxfordshire Residents thanked for COVID caution and encouraged to keep getting tested

People across Oxfordshire are being thanked for their continued willingness to abide by the national roadmap rules that have allowed a gradual easing of restrictions during March and early April.

This is reflected in the number of new cases in Oxfordshire, which although showing slight variations over the past fortnight, has now dropped to 33.1 per 100,000 of the population.

Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing forms an essential part of the government’s roadmap plan. From 9 April, everyone in England will be able to access free, rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests for themselves and their families to use twice a week. This paves the way for businesses and society reopening.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “We’ve reached a new stage of navigating our way out of lockdown by being cautious and careful to keep the virus under control. However, the rules are only as good as people abiding by them. In the large majority of cases, that has happened, and we thank people for their efforts.

“Schools are now open, people are able to meet outdoors and on 12 April non-essential retail, beer gardens and libraries are to open. That’s real progress which has been achieved by individuals, families and friends taking responsibility for their own actions. You only need to think back to December and January to understand how much effort we’ve put in to getting this far.

“We would ask everyone to continue to take great care and abide by the rules as they change. The virus is still circulating and still presents a danger. We’ve all seen what happens when the virus is given opportunities – we had the rise in cases last autumn followed by the even larger rises in the winter. With more and more people being vaccinated we are consolidating our position against the virus every day – but it is a gradual process, not an overnight event.

“Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it will help us quickly suppress the spread of variants. I would encourage everyone to get tested on a regular basis, even if you’ve had the vaccine.”

One in three people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus without knowing. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately and help stop the spread.

The expanded regular testing offer for people without symptoms will be delivered through:

  • Workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home
  • Secondary school and college testing on-site or through home test kits provided
  • Community testing at symptom-free sites
  • Collection of home test kits from any local testing site (symptom (PCR) sites and symptom-free sites)
  • A home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home.

A new ‘pharmacy collect’ service is also launching, which will provide an additional route to regular testing. Testing through all these routes is free.

For further information about the options available, visit NHS.UK/get-tested.

If testing at home, individuals need to register their results online or by calling 119.

Anyone who tests positive will need to self-isolate immediately and book asecond PCR test. A self-isolation information pack is available to provide advice and support.

If you test negative, you must continue to follow social distancing guidelines, wear a mask in public and regularly wash your hands.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test online or by calling 119.

What are the rule changes on 12 April?

  • More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups. Outside, six people or two households can meet.
  • All shops will be allowed to open
  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open
  • Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors
  • Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
  • Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation
  • Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
  • Funerals can be attended by up to 30 people.
  • Children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity
  • Care home visitors will increase to two per resident.
April 12, 2021 in Community, Lifestyle

Oxfordshire close to ‘high’ COVID-19 alert level

Oxfordshire close to ‘high’ COVID-19 alert level

People in Oxfordshire are being advised to be extra vigilant, particularly over half-term, as cases of coronavirus continue to spread across the county.

Evidence shows that, in the past two weeks, the virus has spread to a much wider age range across the county and is no longer confined to younger people in urban areas. Hospital admissions have begun to increase as a result.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health Ansaf Azhar said: “Across all areas of the county, we are starting to see a significant shift in the spread of the virus from people in their teens and 20s to older and more vulnerable age groups. This is a really concerning development. We know that, once the virus starts to spread to more vulnerable groups, then hospital cases will rise and deaths will inevitably follow. 

“We have seen what’s been happening across the north of England and how the virus has quickly taken hold across huge swathes of the community. Based on the current trajectory of the virus, we could well find ourselves in a similar position in just a few weeks’ time if we do not take collective action now.”

“With half-term approaching, as well as events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali coming up, it’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of meeting up and celebrating with friends and family. But we mustn’t forget about COVID. We need to do everything we can to keep our families and communities safe and stop the spread. 

“I know the temptation will be to meet up and socialise over half-term. However, the virus thrives when people are in close contact with one another. So I would strongly urge everyone to limit their social interactions and focus instead on the many COVID-secure family activities that are taking place over half-term.”

Oxfordshire is currently at the ‘medium’ or tier 1 level in the COVID-19 alert system. This is the national three-tier system, which classifies areas as medium, high or very high based on their numbers of infection and overall risk level.

Discussions have taken place this week with central Government about whether Oxfordshire should move to the ‘high’ alert level, given concerns over the spread of the virus to age groups beyond people in their teens and 20s to potentially more vulnerable groups. 

The decision has been taken not to move the county to a high alert level at this stage. However, the situation is being monitored extremely closely and Oxfordshire’s Director of Public Health and Council Leaders are pushing for a move to happen as soon as possible. 

Moving to a high alert level would mean that residents could not socialise with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.

Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Ian Hudspeth said: “In light of the escalating situation across the county, we are pushing hard for Oxfordshire to be moved to a high alert level. This would be a preventative measure to stem the spread of the virus and protect the county’s most vulnerable residents. 

“We are aware that some businesses, particularly the hospitality sector, would be affected if we moved to a high alert level, and we welcome the announcement from Government today that additional support will be available. 

“However, we must do everything we can to keep residents across the county safe. We know that the majority of transmissions occur when different households mix, so increasing our alert level to high, which prevents households from mixing socially in indoor settings, is one of the best ways we can help our residents at this critical time.”

October 22, 2020 in Community, Lifestyle