Runnymede COVID Champions Briefing (week commencing 25/01/2021)

1. Local updates

• Runnymede now has the 4th lowest case rates in Surrey and case numbers are slightly lower than the Surrey average - numbers are falling across Surrey's 11 boroughs (last week Runnymede had the 5th lowest rates)
• Surrey case rates are now below the national average but hospital beds are still very limited - when case numbers fall, there is usually a delay of about two weeks before admission rates stop rising
• Surrey's data dashboard shows which areas have highest rates across Surrey and compares these to England
• Rate per 100,000 people (Last 7 days, up to 21/01/2021) Runnymede: 317.6 (Last week: 450)

Surrey: 376.8 (Last week: 526.9), England: 402.1 (Last week: 506.2)

• Runnymede Borough Council: Coronavirus update page for Runnymede
• Click here for information on Coronavirus testing and Surrey's local outbreak plan
• Click here for a BBC radio interview with Surrey's Director of Public Health on local Covid cases

2. National updates

• As of 25 Jan 2021, 3,689,746 people have tested positive in the UK with 103,602 deaths. Full data here
• Runnymede and all of England are still in National Lockdown (Stay at Home)
• Avoid leaving home unless necessary for work, education, caring duties, medical care or essential shopping, and wear a face mask unless you are exempt - this is the law and violations carry a fine of at least £200
• If you live in a household with a child under 14, you can still form a 'childcare bubble' with one other household. This allows friends or family to help each other with informal childcare. Updated: 15 Jan 2021.
• All international travel corridors are shut, travel between the UK and some countries is banned, all international arrivals need a negative PCR test for entry and must isolate for 10 days. Updated: 18 Jan 2021
• Support is available for people who are shielding because they are clinically extremely vulnerable to the virus - this includes priority access for supermarket deliveries. Updated 22 Jan 2021.

3. The Vaccine - Surrey Heartlands CCG vaccination FAQs

• By 25 Jan 2021, 6.9 million UK people received their first vaccine dose, an increase of 2.5 million on last week
• 472,446 have received their second dose, which is administered in 3-12 weeks
• The NHS will let you know when it's your turn - help speed up the delivery of vaccinations by not contacting GPs and vaccination centres to ask! Please make sure you attend your appointment and arrive on time
• Answering queries takes resources away from vaccine delivery and busy phone lines make it hard for people to book GP appointments and get urgent care - minor conditions can be treated by pharmacists instead
• Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are in use and the Moderna vaccine has now also been approved
• Surrey Heartlands CCG has a great website with answers to FAQs about coronavirus vaccination in Surrey -

If you cannot find an answer to your question, contact their new helpline on:

0300 561 2500 (9am-4pm, Mon-Fri) or at syheartlandsccg.vaccination@nhs.net

Please note: this is NOT a vaccination booking service

1. Tackling Vaccination Hesitancy

Background

• The data shows people may have doubts about the Covid-19 vaccine due to age, ethnicity, religion or health These could include:
• Older people who receive homecare and may fear contracting the virus attending the vaccination site
• People with learning or physical disabilities who may need support safely attending an appointment
• People in black or minority ethnic (BAME) communities who may have reasons to mistrust institutions
• People who believe the vaccine is unsafe or does not fit their cultural or religious values
• Recent research on vaccine hesitancy suggests listening patiently, acknowledging people's concerns and providing helpful, clear information on the 3 C's that influence willingness to get the vaccine - confidence ("I trust the vaccine"), convenience ("It is easy to get a vaccine"), complacency ("I need the vaccine")
• It can be reassuring for people to hear facts about the vaccine from those within their own community, especially those who have already safely received it or are planning to get it when offered
• Do remind people that certain groups have been more vulnerable to the virus, such as BAME or older people or those with disabilities or health needs, which is all the more reason for them to receive the vaccine
• The issue of vaccine hesitancy is being taken seriously at both national and local level - the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government sees local Community Champions groups like ours as vital in building trust, communicating accurate health information and helping to save lives

Resources

• You may wish to share videos like these produced by The Guardian and Runnymede Trust featuring celebrities, faith leaders and experts encouraging vaccine uptake in BAME communities -
• The Guardian has produced a podcast exploring reasons for vaccine hesitancy in BAME communities
• NHS easy-read guidance on the vaccine may be useful for people with learning disabilities or dementia
• Covid-19 Vaccination Guide for Older Adults is available in several languages from Albanian to Urdu- see also Hindi and Nepalese Covid hygiene leaflets attached. Help us help you share information -
• Please let us know any ideas you have on how to engage with people in your network who may be vaccine hesitant - this could be anything from using existing groups or lists to making simple changes to information
• We will update you in weeks to come, as national and local plans for tackling virus hesitancy progress further

5. Mental Health for all ages

• The lengthy pandemic and its difficult impacts on all our lives mean many of us are struggling at times with our mental health, especially our children and young people
• See Every Mind Matters for NHS resources on coronavirus and wellbeing, including a quick quiz to help you create your own Mind Plan helping you manage stress, insomnia, anxiety or mood
• To talk to someone about general mental wellbeing support available in Surrey, call 0808 802 5000 (24 hours, 7 days a week, freephone) or text 07537 432 411 (Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm)
• There is a helpline for adults in Surrey experiencing a mental health crisis - call 0800 915 4644

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or text 07717 989 024, people with hearing impairments can dial 18001 0800 915 4644 from their text phone or smartphone app. Website:

• For information on child and adolescent mental health and services for parents and professionals,

call Young Minds on 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4pm)

• Living With Teenagers, a virtual online group for parents and carers, meets the last Thur of every month (next dates: 28 Jan, 25 Feb, 25 Mar, 29 Apr) - contact karmal.gent@surreycc.gov.uk / 07805 741 237 or ross.carter@surreycc.gov.uk / 07791 451 104
• Children and Young People's Haven offers a phone service for young people who are distressed or worried about their feelings. Call 07773 008 435 (Mon-Fri 4pm-8.30pm and weekends 12pm-6pm.)
• Childline is a free, private and confidential national service for children to talk about anything - call 0800 1111 (7:30am-3:30am, 7 days a week)
• Kooth is a free online counselling, advice and wellbeing support service for young people