Coronavirus

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The five conditions for reducing lockdown

• We must be sure that we can continue to protect the NHS and its ability to cope

• We must see a sustained fall in deaths

• We must be sure that the infection rate is falling

• We must overcome the operational and logistical challenges on testing and PPE

• Fifth, and this is the most important, we must all make sure that the measures we take do not risk a second spike that would overwhelm the NHS

Virus Alert State

Testing for the virus

This has become a key issue in realising the fifth condition in the process to reduce the spread of the virus and to start the release from lockdown. Now anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 can get tested. For full information which is regularly updated read:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

and how the kits work https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-tests-and-testing-kits-for-coronavirus-covid-19-work/for-patients-the-public-and-professional-users-a-guide-to-covid-19-tests-and-testing-kits

The Plan to re-build

Read the PM’s full 10th May turning point address and other Government advice on https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus and the page now includes the Plan to Re-build.

Read Government guidance on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-phased-return-of-outdoor-sport-and-recreation

Read the current Government FAQs on what you can or cannot do https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Guidance on distancing and face coverings

From 4 July the distancing guidance changed. Where it is not possible to stay 2m apart, people should keep a distance of “one metre plus” – this means staying one metre apart, while observing precautions to reduce the risk of transmission.

Businesses are being asked to help by:

• avoiding face-to-face seating by changing office layouts
• reducing the number of people in enclosed spaces
• improving ventilation
• using protective screens and face coverings
• closing non-essential social spaces
• providing hand sanitiser
• changing shift patterns so that staff work in set teams

Facecoverings are mandatory on public transport in hospitals and in supermarkets and shops. For advice on how to make, wear and dispose of them read https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-disposing-of-waste

NHS Test and Trace

As the country opens up the Government is using trained teams to find people who have coronavirus symptoms. Working with the Army they make thousands of calls a day to track the spread of Covid-19, all of which will be complemented by the contact-tracing app in due course.The scheme is voluntary in the first instance as it is believed that there is very strong instinct from the British people to follow the rules.

Read how it works https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works?utm_source=62c084ed-8a21-47f3-aba6-0026b5bc0ec0&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily

Baroness Dido Harding who is in charge of the scheme stresses that people will want to feel safe and to tell the NHS as soon as they have symptoms so that the spread of the disease can be localised.

Understand Coronavirus

The government www.gov.uk and NHS www.nhs.uk Websites are a good place to start. Otherwise there is an Easy to Read book available on the following link:

If you live locally and need help in isolation

The Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle Parish Council COVID-19 Response Group

is the organisation which is easy to go to. The Group is entirely made up of volunteers and is registered with Dorset Council. It has attended Dorset Community Action webinars in order to be fully aware of the developing situation. A newsletter is produced which can be read on the link below:

If you are intending to self-isolate, and would like to keep the COVID-19 Response Group aware of your situation, or if you are not self-isolating and are able to join the group of volunteers please get in touch by the following means:

Email the Group support team at: parishhelpline@gmail.com
Telephone and leave a message on: 07745 796 118.

This mobile phone cannot be constantly staffed, but messages will be picked up and responded to daily so please leave clear contact details so that someone can return your call.

As part of our work with the Dorset Council COVID-19 Community Response Team we have been asked by NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to share their latest email update with you. It has some very useful and important information in it about the response to COVID-19 in Dorset. You can subscribe directly to their email updates by reading their website https://www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/involve/hin/form/

Anyone seeking help will have given the Group personal information (name, address and contact details) which will be recorded so that a volunteer can be sent to assist. On arrival those details will need to be confirmed and the volunteer may well record further information on a piece of paper or on a mobile telephone in order to help remember things. Please be assured that they are doing this to act in everyone’s best interests but the Law on protection of personal information must apply. Nobody wants this to get in the way of providing the help needed but folk should be aware that only the necessary information will be taken and will only be shared with those who are helping to overcome your problem. The information given will be destroyed when this is all over.

Personal information will be kept secure in the same way as anyone would keep their own. The volunteers will not discuss any information outside of the Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle Parish Council COVID-19 Response Group or with anyone who doesn’t need to know. For more detail please read the Response Group privacy statement on the following link:

Any resident who has a concern about COVID 19 who cannot access on-line services and would prefer to talk to Dorset Council for example to fnd out how to access services when isolating or financial worries if their personal financial circumstances have changed. The general number is 01305 221000 and the email is  communityresponse@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  The super shielded number is 01305 221022. Lines will be open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

Local Medical services

Read Puddletown Surgery advice https://www.puddletownsurgery.co.uk/

Read Bere Regis Surgery advice https://bereregissurgery.nhs.uk/

Parish COVID-19 Response Group on Facebook

A Facebook Page has been set up for anyone living in the parish who would like to volunteer to support the community, is in need themselves, or is isolated and just looking for a way of interacting and socialising.

Log in to https://www.facebook.com/login/ and search for “Briantspuddle CV-19”

Cold Caller advice

As well as some good people around there are some really nasty ones too who will take advantage of the current situation and who can be fairly persuasive. Dorset Police have issued advice which is well worth reading;

The Food Bank collecting box has moved

The box for the Wareham Food Bank has moved from St Laurence’s Church at Affpuddle to Briantspuddle Village Hall. The Hall will be open via the main entrance during Shop opening times to provide a waiting postion for use of the Shop and Post Office whilst the the restriction of the number of people in the shop at any one time is in place.

Dorchester Help

There are several outlets in Dorchester offering collect delivery and collect services. DorchesterDorset.com is a website created by the Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) with a page now especially devoted to this emergency.

Screenbites Help

We hope you and your families are well. In the current situation the Screen Bites festival has been put on the shelf for a while but we have not forgotten your love of good food and  our local food producers are still making and baking! We would like to help you to eat well and find delicious staples and treats without having to venture into a supermarket – so have updated the Screen Bites website with the food producers who are still operating and offering delivery/collection.

http://screenbites.co.uk/food-producers

Wareham Help

Lots of organisations in Wareham can help with provisions including pet supplies read the document on the following link to see details:

The Botany Bay Pub

A local pub can help so check them out on their website:

http://www.thebotanybaydorset.co.uk/our-social-media-news

or ring them on 01929 459227 between 11.30 and 2 pm 7 days a week with deliveries from 4 pm each day – debit or credit card only. Order as much or as little as you need by weight or items – fruit, vegetables, salad, fresh and frozen meat, frozen goods, chilled and dairy products, bread, tea, coffee, flour etc.

Our Local Milkman

Kevin has been our milkman for many years and can deliver more than just milk. Why not give him a call and see what he can do. Telephone 01305 775561 or email kevin@sargentsdairy.co.uk

Local Radio

check out their website https://keep106.com This is a Dorchester radio station on 106.3 FM which might provide a little bit of light relief from national stations.

Help Dorchester Hospital

Dorset County Hospital Charity has launched the DCH COVID-19 Appeal to raise funds to provide extra support to the hospital’s staff working under immense pressure during the coronavirus pandemic. If you would like to donate to the DCH COVID-19 Appeal please visit the appeal page of the Dorset County Hospital on their website https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/about/DCH-charity/Pages/COVID-19-Appeal.aspx