Agenda item

COVID-19 Recovery

Presentation by Public Health Principal

Minutes:

The Public Health Principal gave a presentation updating Members on the Covid-19 situation in Darlington.

 

Regarding Test 1 – ‘The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully’, Members were advised that a significant number of the population had received their vaccination and in respect of Test 2 – ‘Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated’, it was reported that whilst daily cases were rising due to the Delta variant, the hospital admissions were not rising exponentially, as seen during wave 1; and this indicated that the vaccines were effective in reducing hospitalisations. Members were informed that there had been no recent deaths in Darlington due to Covid.

 

Regarding Test 3 – ‘Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS’, Members were advised that whilst bed occupancy had increased slightly, this was not to the same extent as seen in December/January 2021.

 

In respect of Test 4 – ‘Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern’, it was reported that the Delta variant was the prevalent variant; and that this variant was more transmissible than the Kent variant.

 

Details were provided of step 3 of the Road Map; and refence was made to the longer term impacts of COVID along with the UK Recovery Strategy. Members were reminded of the importance of Hands, Face, Space, self-isolation and uptake of the vaccine.

 

Discussion ensued in respect of long covid; Members were advised that the Tees Valley Directors of Public Health were drafting a response in respect of long covid, and an update would be provided at a future meeting; and following questions in respect of flu, covid and other diseases, Members were advised that following the lifting of restrictions, there had been a re-emergence of ‘normal’ diseases such as norovirus; and that Public Health would be undertaking work with colleagues to raise awareness of other diseases, as previously the focus had been on Covid.

 

RESOLVED – That the Public Health Principal be thanked for his update on the Covid-19 situation in Darlington.

 

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