Agenda item

[To receive the Wolverhampton COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan Report.]

John Denley, Director of Public Health, presented the Wolverhampton COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan report with supporting presentation. The presentation provided an epidemiological update on the current COVID-19 situation in the City.

In terms of case rates per 100,000 people, the first graph showed Wolverhampton ranking as lower than its neighbouring authorities. The graph depicting daily case rates showed there was still cause for concern as Wolverhampton cases had quadrupled in the last three weeks.

In terms of age, a heat map showed that the virus was prevalent in the 19-24 and 11-16 age groups. It was noted that public health continued to work closely with schools to offer support as this affected secondary school-aged children and young people.

It was acknowledged that the vaccine was providing very effective levels of protection against serious illness and had made a positive impact in reducing hospital admissions. Despite this, it was stressed that the vaccine alone did not prevent transmission and caution should still be exercised as the dominant variant was extremely infectious. 

Testing showed that around 26,000 tests were being undertaken on a weekly basis however it was stressed that it was important to maintain this momentum.

It was reported that fears around the vaccine causing illness had been expressed at various community discussions. Assurances were offered that over 163,000 had now received the vaccination and, although some side effects were possible, it would have begun to show in the statistics if the vaccine caused illness. It was stressed that the vaccine did not prevent catching the virus but did work towards preventing serious illness.

It was noted that accessibility to vaccines rather than hesitancy had begun to emerge as a barrier to some residents, therefore mobile vaccination units were being rolled out across the City to increase opportunities to be vaccinated. Uptake among care workers had been low however there had been some improvement and progress had also been made encouraging uptake amongst ethnic populations.

Sally Roberts, Wolverhampton Safeguarding Board expressed her thanks to the public health team for the collaborative working and excellent results.

Emma Bennett, Director of Children’s and Adult Services reported that Incident Management Team (IMT) meetings continued to take place with public health and education colleagues as well as continual engagement with schools to offer support in navigating the national guidance. Headteachers would be on call the first few weeks of the holidays to manage any incidents of track and trace.

Ian Darch, Third Sector Partnership added that Wolverhampton had responded well to reduce the damage caused by the COVID crisis as well as providing clarity of communication throughout. It was noted that the weekly IMT meetings, efforts of headteachers, teaching staff and school community, as well as the voluntary sector should all be recognised and it was thought that the City of Wolverhampton was in a better position because of collaborative working.

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Cabinet member for Children and young People also added that communications had been easy to follow and the tables outlining details of vaccines clinics had been especially helpful. It was noted that the family activities and events planned over the summer would offer further opportunities to promote vaccine uptake.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, Deputy Leader of the Council raised a concern over a potential surge in cases once remaining entertainment venues reopened and if there were plans in place to mitigate this. Assurances were offered that the ‘hands, face and space’ message was being perpetuated despite restrictions being eased. Businesses had also been encouraged to keep safety measures in place and were keen to promote this as a selling point.

It was also noted that the Outbreak Control Plan was continually being refreshed as the landscape changed and business continuity and emergency planning were key. Local businesses and organisations were being encouraged to have a Business Continuity Plan in place as well. 

In response to a further query raised around GP surgeries availability, it was reported that surgeries had been open throughout the pandemic albeit operating differently with calls being triaged and the majority of consultations taking place by telephone or video. It was also noted that the CCG were working closely with GPs to offer support

The mental and physical health of the population was also a concern and it was acknowledged that the pandemic had taken its toll on many due to restrictions in seeing loved ones and limits on their usual activities. 

Councillor Wendy Thompson, Leader of the Opposition referred to the increasing case rates in Wolverhampton and the Black Country and raised a query around how Wolverhampton was supporting neighbouring authorities and containing the spread. Paul Tulley, Wolverhampton CCG advised that the specifics of other authorities’ responses were not known however the Royal Wolverhampton Trust, Wolverhampton CCG and public health colleagues had been working together to provide wraparound support and mirroring other authorities’ encouragement of vaccine uptake.

Resolved:

That the Wolverhampton COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan Report be received.