Ten SWF people tested positive for Covid in last week and feel awful. Some English care homes have Covid outbreaks. Last week people in the Town were also floored by flu and other nasty chest infections. Amber Heat-Health Danger Alerts have been issued about the severe heatwave forecast for the next few days to 13 June wh.alerts.eoe@ukhsa.gov.uk .
AMBER Heat-Health Alert – (Enhanced hot weather response) has been extended for the following regions: East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England and is in effect between 09/06/2023 at 09:00 and 13/06/2023 at 09:00.
Significant impacts are probable across the health and social care sector due to the high temperatures, including: observed increase in mortality across the population likely, particularly in the 65+ age group or those with health conditions, but impacts may also be seen in younger age groups; increased demand for remote health care services likely; internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment; impact on ability of services to be delivered due to heat effects on workforce possible and many indoor environments likely to be overheating, risk to vulnerable people living independently in community as well as in care settings; medicines management issues; staffing issues due to external factors (e.g. transport); cross system demand for temporary AC capacity exceeded possible and other sectors starting to be observe impacts (e.g. travel delays).
Covid Spring Vaccination boosters continue until the end of June, being given to care-home residents, over 75 year olds, and the most vulnerable people. Only 55% of people eligible and needing this have taken it up. But as you’ll see from above there’s lots of it about and if you’re one of the most vulnerable and get it it’s still very dangerous for you. So If you’ve had or get an invitation book at nhs.uk/get-vaccination or phone 119 for avaccination centre jab; you only have until the end of June to get it done. In the Autumn there’ll be another full programme of Covid and flu jabs.
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Housebound and isolating people, and everyone without online access rely on print and broadcast media. As much local health and welfare information as possible is in our fortnightly Focus articles. If you need anything else leave a voicemail on 01245 322079 and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Survey of some health & welfare services provided by SWF and the Dengie Primary Care Network has finished. The results are being analysed, the report written, and we expect to publish it by the end of this month.
The WHO says Covid-19 is no longer a ‘global health emergency’. The danger isn’t over; emergency status will be reinstated if necessary. “Living with Covid” is now UK policy. The Coronavirus Dashboard says in w/e 12 May England had 252 (p/w 269) Deaths with Covid on death certificates and in w/e 22 May 2,268 (p/w 2,621) Covid patients were admitted to hospital.
Latest surveillance reports indicate:
- Covid hospitalisations and deaths continue falling slowly.
- Flu is stable and relatively low.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) remains low, with under 5s most infected.
- Adenovirous and allied viruses are above average, with children under 5 years old suffering most.
- Scarlet Fever & Strep A are stable and generally in line with the season’s norms.
- Sickness bug Norovirus infections remain above average with outbreaks continuing in care homes. Don’t visit vulnerable people, particularly in residential homes or hospitals, while having diarrhoea and/or vomiting until 48 hours after symptoms stop. Maintain good hand hygiene especially after being unwell, using the toilet, preparing or eating food.
- Measles is highly infectious, can lead to serious complications and cases are rising alarmingly. Immunisation has fallen badly. Parents should get children up to date with MMR vaccine.
RCN Nurses, some ambulance, and other staff remain in disputes. JUNIOR DOCTORS plan to strike again for 72-hours 14-17 June. These disputes must be settled immediately. Patients suffer serious delays, workloads increase, and tackling NHS backlogs is delayed. 13,000 hospital beds are blocked by patients fit to discharge.
AVOID CATCHING & SPREADING INFECTIONS: IF UNWELL AVOID VULNERABLE FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES & RELATIVES; ventilate indoor meetings; meet outdoors; wear face coverings in crowded spaces. Stay home and avoid contact with others. For health and welfare information and signposting contact SWF Health & Social Care Group on swfhealthsocial@outlook.com or leave a voicemail on 01245 322079 which is monitored most days.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 