Verbal Update by Director of Public Health
Minutes:
The Director of Public Health provided Members with an update on the Darlington Outbreak Control Plan and in doing so reminded Members that the plan was in place to protect the health of local communities through clear prevention messages; rapid detection of outbreaks; controlling onwards transmission; and building and applying intelligence.
Details were provided of the cumulative cases, which, as of today stood at just over 1600 cases; and the 7 days rate, which as of today was 300 per 100,000 population; the age group with the greatest transmission was 16-29 years; working age adults were showing the greatest increase in cases; whilst the younger age groups appeared to be plateauing.
Reference made to schools, which were well organized and managing disruption through the use of bubbles; work places were seeing the bulk of the increase in cases, with car sharing to work identified as an area of concern; that a multi-agency group and a prevention and compliance group were in place to have oversight of outbreaks associated with work places.
Reference was also made to pandemic fatigue; Members were advised of the importance of their support to the community to reinfuse interest, whilst acknowledging the impact of the pandemic and hardships faced by residents; the need for clear messaging; and the involvement of the community and local groups to help identify safe solutions and ways to reduce local risk. Members were reminded of the key messages in respect of social distancing, the use of face coverings, regular hand washing, and not socializing with other households indoors.
Following questions by Members, the Chief Executive, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) confirmed that there had been no hospital onset infection at Darlington Memorial in patients admitted over 8 days previously since September 1st, and 7 patients with hospital onset infection in patients admitted 3-7 days previously; that reviews were undertaken for any cases acquired in hospital; Darlington Memorial had a Covid-19 ward; that CDDFT had plans in place to meet demands should there be an increase in cases; and should all regional beds be exhausted, there was a regional plan to make use of the nightingale hospital.
RESOLVED – That the Director of Public Health be thanked for providing an update on the Darlington Outbreak Control Plan.