From the BBC today 2nd April

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52140376

The government is aiming to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day in England by the end of April, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said, as he announced a “five-pillar” testing plan. It comes as the government was criticised for not increasing the number of tests more quickly. Currently, there are around 10,000 tests being carried out a day.

The new target includes swab tests, which are already in use, and blood tests, which are yet to be launched. It was originally thought the target would be for the whole of the UK, but the government later issued a correction saying the goal will only be for England.

Speaking at the end of his seven days of quarantine after testing positive for the virus, Mr Hancock said 100,000 tests “is the goal and I’m determined we’ll get there”.

SO…..Follow this link through the month and see if he keeps his word!

However, the only country reputed to be doing 100,000 tests per day is USA, Italy is only doing 40,000 and South Korea is only doing about the same number as the UK, although it’s always help up as the shining example. So, 100,000 is probably a little bit of an exaggeration….or let’s say wishful thinking. I think a more realistic figure to aim for would be 50,000 and expect to get 40,000. – Richard

• COVID Testing at the Rugby Club
• Mobile Covid-19 testing site
• NHS Test and Trace
• COVID-19 Testing at the Rugby Club

Gloucestershire’s community help hub gains over 2,000 volunteers in the first week

The hub is supported by Gloucestershire County Council who gather requests for support, review the data and pass it to the relevant district, borough or city council. They will then match the volunteers with requests for support to ensure people get what they need as quickly as possible.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said, “We are delighted by the generosity and willingness of our communities. Volunteers are coming forward in great numbers to offer support. Please continue to get involved if you can and together we will beat this.”

The majority of requests are for help with errands for those that cannot physically leave the house and are mainly for shopping deliveries.

To access the hub go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/helphub

Those unable to access a web form can contact the service by telephone 01452 583519. The lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday to Sunday 9am-4pm. This is a priority telephone line for people who need help or are volunteering, please do not use it for reporting other issues. There is no need to register in advance. 

Those who have already volunteered should be aware that it may take a few days for your local council to get in touch due to the amazing response so far.

Get coronavirus support as a clinically extremely vulnerable person

If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), register and tell us whether or not you need support.

You may have received a letter from the NHS telling you that you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, or been contacted by your GP or hospital clinician. If this has not happened by Monday 30 March, contact your GP or clinician after you register with this service.

It may take time for any support offered through this service to arrive. Wherever possible you should continue to rely on friends, family and wider support to help you meet your needs.

You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else.

What do we mean by extremely vulnerable?

People falling into this extremely vulnerable group include:

1. Solid organ transplant recipients.
2. People with specific cancers:
   • people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
   • people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
   • people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
   • people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
   • people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
3. People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
4. People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
5. People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
6. Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.

https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/covid-confirmed-cases-since-100th-case?country=GBR

Which Countries are “Flattening the Curve”?

So, everyone talks about “Flattening the Curve” where the number of new cases slow down over time, but which are and which are not! Today’s link takes you to a chart which is kept up to date showing exactly that. The most successful being Japan, South Korea and China.

It also shows where the United States is still completely out of control with cases doubling every 2.5 days. Already they have had more cases than China and Germany combined.

I just LOVE this, and I want to hear everyone singing it!

Double bag and wait before you bin – take extra measures during Coronavirus

When cleaning you should use your usual household products, like detergents and bleach, as these will be very effective at getting rid of the virus on surfaces. Clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, handrails, remote controls and table tops. This is particularly important if you have an older or vulnerable person in the house.

Personal waste (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths can be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin.

Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.

See Stay at Home Guidance

Community help hub launched to
support residents

Gloucestershire’s
councils and partners have created a community help hub to connect local people
who need help, with others who can provide the support they need.

As further measures
are put in place to delay the spread of Covid-19, local people have already
started to pull together to arrange help in their area for those who need it,
but not everyone has existing connections.

In response, the
council’s across the county have come together with the police and health
partners to create the hub to connect local people who need help, with
individuals, groups and businesses who can provide the support they need.

The hub includes
four forms:

• ‘I can offer help’ – is for those who are able to support neighbours with tasks such as picking up prescriptions, shopping, dog walking and more. 
• ‘I need help’ – can be used by individuals to ask for support
• ‘My neighbour needs help’ – may be used by people to request help on behalf of a neighbour, relative or friend who cannot access the internet themselves
• ‘My business can help’ – will allow local businesses who may have skills and resources others could benefit from, to offer their help.

People who cannot
go online can register by phone on 01452
583519  Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm.

If you’re part
of an existing community group who can offer help locally, we’d still like you
to register.

The information
collected will be shared daily with the relevant local council who will connect
people who can help each other, or if appropriate refer individuals to an
existing service. 

The hub is
accessible from every district council website, and from the county council’s
website at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/helphub

Help us to share details of the community help hub on social media using the hashtag #GlosCommunity
The hub includes an image for social media and a poster too