Presentation only.
Minutes:
Consideration was given to a presentation which provided an update on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Members were informed that there had been a high peak of infections in the previous months due to the Omicron variant. However, within Oldham the daily average cases in the past 14 days had been on a downwards trend. Members were advised on the breakdown of cases within Oldham by age and gender. The bulk of infections within the last 7 days were from school age children, with 172 females and 195 males in the 0-9 range and 194 females and 198 males in the 10-19 range.
Members were provided with the ethnicity breakdown of cases. It was noted that there were similar rates across all ethnicities. However, in the past 7 months the rate of infection had increased within the White British community. The increase was due to the original strain that affected the BAME community which was no longer in the UK. Members were provided with the Districts data which identified North and East Oldham as the areas with the highest rate of cases in the last 28 days per 100,000 residents.
Within hospitals, the average A&E attendances over the latest 7-day average was 2.6 compared to all attendances which averaged at 181.9. There was an average of 8.1 Covid-19 diagnosis per 7-day average. The total beds occupied by Covid-19 patients were 115 with 8 ICU patients. Overall, this showed a downward trend in patients that needed intensive care. There had been fewer deaths in the current wave with the average now at 4-5 deaths per week.
Testing for Covid-19 was being nationally led with the Council and partners working with the national team to try to match national resources to local need and demand. There were four fixed sites in the borough which offered PCR testing, supplemented by mobile testing units. It was noted that there were challenges with supply routes and many Authorities were not receiving the full orders. However, over the past 3 to 4 weeks the orders had significantly improved.
Members were advised that Oldham Council had a role in contact tracing alongside NHS Test and Trace which involved:
Tier 1: contact tracing and outbreak management in complex/high risk settings
Tier 2: follow up of individual cases not reached by the national team within 48 hours of testing positive.
The GM team provided additional ‘surge’ capacity. The current focus of Tier 1 activity was primarily on supporting schools. Tier 2 were prioritising follow up of cases in areas of highest levels of deprivation to highlight support available.
Financial support for self-isolation was available, supplemented by additional practical support such as food vouchers/food parcels.
Members were informed that 1st and 2nd vaccinations were now available for those aged 12+ with Booster doses available for people aged 16+, and clinically vulnerable 12–15-year-olds. 1st doses were also available for 5–11-year-olds who were clinically vulnerable or who lived with someone who was clinically vulnerable. There was a higher uptake in vaccinations from the older generations and those that live in more affluent areas. Within GM, Oldham ranked in the bottom half for overall uptake.
Members were advised of the key issues for 2022 in regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was noted that with the end of the Plan B measures there was a risk of high infection rates. Support was needed for those suffering with long Covid and the impact of services that were stood down due to the pandemic.
RESOLVED that:
1. The update be noted.
2. A further update be provided to the Committee in 6 months’ time.