[To receive an update on the current COVID-19 situation.]
Minutes:
John Denley, Director of Public Health delivered the COVID-19 Situation Update with supporting presentation. It outlined that the current variant of concern, Omicron, was much more transmissible and cases had been confirmed in the Black Country. There had been indications of lower severity of illness thus far.
It was noted that Wolverhampton was in the bottom quartile and, at the time the slides were produced, case rates were at 402.8 per 100,000 people. It was stressed, however, that this was still concerning as the England case rate was around 500 per 100,000.
Graphs showed case rates per 100,000 in relation to geographical neighbours over the last six months and that Wolverhampton case rates had been fairly stable but had started to rise in the last month. Continued caution was urged and the public warned of a potentially challenging time ahead.
In terms of age, children and young people were driving transmission of the virus although this had an effect on working age people as the virus was carried from school to home and on to workplaces and vice versa.
In terms of vaccine uptake and efficacy, a bar graph showed less transmission amongst the age groups that had been vaccinated. Vaccine uptake was urged to protect those who were vulnerable as many people mixed socially with a wide range of age groups.
It was reported that vaccine availability was being widened with a choice of walk-in and bookable venues, increased capacity at existing venues, plus three more venues to be confirmed later on the https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk website. Statistics from the vaccine ‘shop’ situated in the Mander Shopping Centre indicated that encouraging numbers from previously hard to reach communities had been attending supported by family and friends to take up the vaccine.
In response to a query around lateral flow tests supply issues, it was reported that this had been experienced nationally due to a sudden spike in demand. It was thought the shortage would be temporary and general advice was to only order as needed and use existing supplies before collecting more to avoid worsening the problem. Anyone in urgent need were advised to contact the Council who would look to source any available kits.
The role of community pharmacies was acknowledged and commended including their part in the roll out of vaccines, supply of LFT kits and demonstrations of their use. Thanks were also extended from partners to health colleagues for working to keep the City safe during a stressful and challenging time.
Concerns were raised around misinformation and residents were urged to consult reliable sources before making final decisions about vaccine refusal.
It was confirmed that there had been no evidence received by public health to support an emerging theory that vaccinated people passed on the Omicron variant more easily.
It was acknowledged that physical health and protection from the virus was paramount, however the impact on mental health resulting from the pandemic was still ongoing. It was confirmed that learning from the early days of the pandemic had been applied and more support mechanisms were in place than when the pandemic began. Continued partnership working, building resilience and learning to live with the virus had also been embedded into the Outbreak Control Plan.
Resolved:
That the COVID-19 Situation Update be received.