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

Vaccine Hope for the Future

In “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”; one of CS Lewis’ characters realises the awful plight of ice-bound Narnia “Can you imagine? It is always winter and never Christmas”.

The New Lockdown

I know how upset many will be by the decision on lockdown.  This is especially true of teachers, pupils and parents.  The Government was desperately keen to keep schools open.  Young people are our future and this was, rightly, prioritised above many other areas of our national life.  

Horsham Enters Tier 4

I am very sorry that it has been necessary to place Horsham into Tier 4.  

From midnight on Christmas Day (ie from the start of Boxing Day) Horsham will enter Tier 4 alongside our neighbours in East Sussex and Surrey not already in that category and Hampshire.

Vaccine Roll Out

I recently joined a phone call with the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust who are, alongside the Primary Care Networks, responsible for the roll out of a potential Covid-19 vaccine in Sussex. 

Tiered System

Thank you for writing to me on the subject of the Parliamentary vote which ended the national lockdown while introducing a tiered system. 

Covid19- Progress on Track

This week we heard more good news on vaccines. The UKs Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has proved to be 70% effective (up to 90% if a half dose is followed by a full dose).

Why Lockdown Is Needed

No one wanted a second lock down to be necessary.  The Prime Minister, with a massive expansion in testing and the tiered approach to controlling the virus, tried desperately hard to avoid it. 

Why I Support A Second Lockdown

No one wanted a second lock down to be necessary.  The Prime Minister, with a massive expansion in testing and the tiered approach to controlling the virus, tried desperately hard to avoid it.   

Supporting Families in Need

I visited Horsham Job Centre last week, one of the many that have risen to a huge challenge during Covid and, assisted by an increase in staff, are providing practical help and training.

Supporting Our Schools

Covid remains the key focus for us all.  At the time of writing whilst our level of new infections is very low compared to other regions in the country, it is the highest in West Sussex and is rising.