The Director of Public Health to verbally update the Committee
Minutes:
Consideration was given to a verbal update on the local matters which related to the Covid-19 Pandemic by the Director of Public Health.
Members were informed that, since the update received by the Committee in January 2022, the position with the Coronavirus had changed. The Virus was still around however, no community testing was taken place. The Office of National Statistics estimated that as of 13th July 2022, 5.77% of the population, which translated to 1 in 17 were currently infected with Covid-19. The rate of infection for the week before was 1 in 19. Whilst this was a slight increase the overall rate of increased infections was slowing.
Members noted that testing was only available for high-risk settings, such as Care Homes. For any others, tests were available to purchase. Contact tracing was no longer being checked, masks were no longer in use and the requirement for self-isolation had been removed. It was explained that Omicron was still the main variant however, it had evolved from BA1 to BA5 strain. The BA5 strain spread faster that others however, the symptoms experienced were described as mild and Flu like.
Hospitals had been experiencing less stress on services, the Royal Oldham had an average of 3 to 5 patients in intensive care who had Covid-19. The weekly death numbers within Oldham were very low with a maximum of three deaths per week. For some weeks, the Hospital had recorded no deaths due to Covid-19. Since the beginning of the Pandemic, around 900 residents of the Oldham Borough had lost their lives due to Covid-19. Covid-19 was here to stay for the foreseeable future however, it was unlikely to return to the levels and seriousness of the beginning of the Virus.
78% of the Borough had received a vaccination and 50% that had received 3 vaccinations. A fourth booster jab was being made available for residents over the age of 50s and those that are immunosuppressant. There had been a 100% uptake of the fourth vaccination within care home settings. Overall, there had been a 50% uptake for the vaccination from the rest of the eligible demographic. The uptake was lower as many people felt the risks with the current strain were low.
Members asked for and received clarification on the following:
· When would the fourth booster be offered more widely? Members were informed that the work was getting started on the roll out of the booster, Guidance had been released the previous week and contact had been made with the providers that delivered the vaccines previously with many indicating they would deliver again.
· Would a vaccine be needed yearly similar to the Flu vaccination? It was noted that it was a potential scenario however it was difficult to say at the point in time. Over the next 10 years it may be possible to combine both vaccines into one.
· What was the impact on the Health Services and absences? Members were informed that the Health Service were currently at winter levels for absences. There was some pressures on absences however this was mainly due to backlog issues. It was confirmed that breakdown of the details could be provided to Members.
RESOLVED that:
1. The local matters relating to the Covid-19 Pandemic be noted;
2. A further report be submitted to the Committee in January 2023 to provide an update.