Coronavirus

Coronavirus

IMPORTANT LINKS FOR INFORMATION:

Link to Government information on Coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Link to NHS information on Coronavirus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

Coronavirus is the most serious public health emergency that we have faced for a generation.

The actions of Public Health England and the NHS have already been exemplary.  During the initial phase the tracing of individuals in contact with those who have been infected has been highly effective.

These actions have slowed the spread of the virus in the UK.  They are one of the reasons why the UK is currently behind the rates of infection elsewhere in Europe.  This has bought us more time (at a point when the NHS traditionally faces high demand) to increase resilience.

We conducted our approach to tracing on the basis of the best available medical advice.  We will continue to act on that same advice.  At every stage the Government will take proportionate action.  Our objective is to protect and keep safe our citizens.

We will be asking people to take difficult steps to protect themselves and help others.  We are doing so because these steps are necessary to safeguard the health of vulnerable people and to reduce the spread of the virus.

Advice will be updated regularly as this evolves.  The link to Government information is above.  It contains detailed information and I would encourage everyone with concerns to read through what it contains.

I set out key points in the nearby tabs but PLEASE refer to the Government website above, the information it contains is more detailed and will be regularly updated as medical advice evolves to meet the threat.

Useful Links:

Link to West Sussex County Council Updates: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19/#1

Link to Horsham District Council Updates: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus

Link to Mid Sussex District Council Website: https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/about-us/coronavirus-covid-19/

Campaigns

Covid Vaccine Roll Out

Key messages for the public:

• The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.

• Please act on your invite when it comes, and make sure you attend your appointments.

News

Covid 2 Years On

Wednesday marks two years since the UK entered its first national lockdown. During the first lockdown and the subsequent two years of restrictions we all had to adapt to new ways of living, working and learning. 

Boosting Immunity

Last weekend I visited the Roffey vaccine centre.  Alongside their colleagues at Christ‘s Hospital they are helping to deliver a very high local uptake for both the vaccine and booster. 

Keeping Safe

On the 8th December 2020, 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person in the world to receive a Pfizer Covid vaccination.

This kicked off the biggest vaccination programme in the country’s history and marked a moment of hope after months of restrictions and uncertainty.

Recognising The Need For Care While Keeping Our Economy Buzzing

I know that last week’s Covid news from South Africa and the WHO response will have concerned many. We do not yet know enough about the new covid variant, Omicron, but it’s right that the Government acted swiftly to look to minimise the impact of this new strain.

Covid Next Steps

The pandemic caused many annual community events to be postponed, many of which raise vital funds for charities.

This weekend many of these events were able to resume and I know many people enjoyed the sense of getting back to “normal”.

A Thank You to Teachers

This week, the Prime Minister confirmed that Step 4 of the Roadmap will go ahead on the 19th July.

A Brighter Prospect

The direction of travel out of Covid restrictions is now clear.  Absent a dramatic change in the data, from 19th July we can expect a rapid return to “normality” in most aspects of our daily lives.

The Road Back To Normality

It will come as a very welcome relief to so many that schools are returning on 8th March.  For educational and social reasons schools quite rightly are the top priority in a purposeful programme to get us back to normality. 

Prime Minister's Roadmap

Last night, the Prime Minister announced the roadmap by which lockdown and restrictions will be lifted. 

Phoenix Out Of Covid

One of the many worrying aspects of Covid has been people not seeking urgent medical attention when required for other conditions.