Covid: Suffolk calls for national help to deal with virus cases

Suffolk’s public health chiefs are today to call on national support teams to help Covid-19 efforts amid concerns over the high number of virus cases.

An emergency meeting of the local Outbreak Engagement Council was told that the teams would help work around vaccinations, outbreaks – including major outbreaks in schools – and communications.

The county is calling for it to become an Enhanced Response Zone – a five-week period in which additional government teams, support and resources are used to quell cases of Covid, as well as to address vaccination issues.

The move is to be made by the UK Health Security Agency and Number 10 Downing Street, with more details expected to emerge in the coming days.

However, early details indicated that the support could include rapid follow-up of issues in government, strengthened measures in schools, national teams supporting local epidemic teams with state of the art testing, additional local volunteers in recruitment courses, door-to-door and other logistical supports for areas of low vaccine use and additional funds and resources for courier campaigns.

Suffolk Director of Public Health Stuart Keeble
– Credit: Suffolk County Council

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Suffolk Public Health Director Stuart Keeble said: ‘We have had higher rates, we have concerns about updating vaccines – especially lower rates in Ipswich, we have had major outbreaks in schools.

“We’re all a little tired from the last couple of years about the messages and all that is going on, and we need to find a way to get over some of these issues and focus on what we need to do as a population. from Suffolk over the winter to help us get through and get us where we need it.

“To be clear, the discussions we’re having with an enhanced response zone don’t mean there will be additional restrictions on people’s movements or actions, it’s not about prioritization or anything like that.” .

“It has been a conversation about what other supports we can draw on to help us manage tariffs locally and support the health and social care system through what is and will continue to be a very difficult time.

“It’s good that our rates have plateaued or are starting to drop in some areas, but we think we need to lower them again to put ourselves in the best possible position for the winter. “

The current case rate in Suffolk is 536.8 per 100,000 – above the English average of 487.4 and the Eastern England average of 522.7.

Last week Ipswich had the highest levels in the country with 854.5 cases per 100,000, which has now fallen to 759.7, which currently places it 25th nationally.

Public Health Suffolk said the situation remained a challenge however, urging people to be responsible and maintain measures such as wearing face masks in stores and regular hand washing.

Matthew Hicks, Head of Suffolk County Council, said: “We are all fully in favor.

“We have a very good experience in Suffolk working together.

“We’ve had tough winters before and anything we can do to help spread the word, we’re all here.”