[To receive a presentation on the current COVID-19 situation.]
Minutes:
John Denley, Director of Public Health delivered the COVID-19 Situation Update with supporting presentation.
It was reported that in terms of case rates, Wolverhampton was around the national average although there was scope to improve upon this. Figures showed that the virus was still prevalent. While outlining case rates within settings, such as care homes, it was acknowledged that the rates demonstrated how infectious Omicron was and was not a reflection on the management of the spread in those settings.
It was noted that the general population was in the process of living alongside COVID-19 and that testing, although no longer free or mandatory, was now an established practice which contributed to curbing the spread. The reporting of results where possible was still a helpful tool in gauging how prevalent it was in the population. Guidance had been made available for Adult Social Care settings and a list of approved suppliers had been compiled and provided to workplaces. In terms of outbreak management, there were no concerns within care homes or school settings.
In terms of the vaccination programme, the newest eligible cohort was the 5–11-year-old group, although vaccines were accessible via GP appointment only at this stage.
It was noted that contracting COVID could still potentially be very serious for some and the level of threat to an individual correlated with whether they were vaccinated and to what level. The more vaccines received, the better the level of protection and the lower the risk of serious illness. It was stressed that it was never too late to begin the vaccination process and vaccines were still widely available via pre-booked or walk-in appointments.
It was reported that Community Vaccine Funding had been awarded to over 35 organisations to provide advice and signposting to vaccines in low uptake areas, which had prompted over 200 residents to access their vaccine. It was also noted that a priority was rolling out the vaccine to particularly vulnerable individuals. It was noted that there was a cost of £35 per person to be supported into receiving the vaccination, however this was considered minimal when weighed against the risk of people entering ICU seriously ill.
It was noted that many of the individuals requiring hospital care for COVID were those who had not been vaccinated at all or fully, or had existing conditions exacerbated by the symptoms of the virus.
In response to a query regarding what the benchmark was in terms of the vaccination levels in the population, it was suggested that England average or above would be the desired milestone, with a priority focus on providing as many vaccines as possible to the most clinically vulnerable.
It was queried whether key factors influencing vaccine uptake were known and what else would be a good incentive to get vaccinated as there were concerns that people felt less urgency to do so as COVID was no longer dominating the news. It was noted that the key message continually communicated was that full vaccination was still the best way to living with COVID in general circulation. It was also considered that making vaccines easily accessible by methods such as providing walk-in services in locations across the City had been a factor in encouraging people to come forward.
A query was raised around how the fourth vaccine or second booster now available for over-75s was progressing. It was reported that small numbers were coming through via GP surgeries, although there was not sufficient data available yet. It was anticipated that government announcements on the autumn plan may provide more detail and guidance. It was added that as more data became available, an update would be provided to include both the 5–11-year-old cohort and the over-75 boosters at the next public meeting.
The work coordinated throughout the pandemic by John Denley, Director of Public Health and Public Health was commended by Ian Darch, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council and the strong community spirit of partners and of the City as a whole was acknowledged. It was added that lessons learned of what the City was capable of should not be lost now the peak of the crisis had passed.
A point was raised that, now tests were no longer free, it had been stipulated that testing for volunteer workers was only required if coming into contact with a clinically vulnerable person. It was agreed this was a sensible use of resources to protect residents as there was no longer the support of the free tests.
It was acknowledged that 5–11-year-olds having limited access to vaccines through pre-booked appointments only may be a barrier to uptake, therefore discussions were ongoing to explore how to overcome this.
The Chair summarised that COVID was still in circulation and that vaccination was still the best method of protection against the virus.
Resolved:
That the COVID-19 Situation Update be received.