Agenda item

Matt Pearce gave a presentation on the Local Outbreak Control Plan. Key points included:

·         The original version was published in June 2020 when the district was in the ‘control and recover’ phase prior to the second wave and under national restrictions.

·         Phase 4 was ‘prevention and renew’ with roll-out of vaccines.

·         Phase 4b was ‘living with Covid’ effective from March 2021, based on the government roadmap.

·         Prevalence of Covid would reduce as more people are vaccinated.

·         Outbreaks would be more localised in future with local-led response.

·         The LOCP outlined changes to roles and responsibilities in the next phase.

·         The ability to respond to outbreaks would be more challenging as restrictions were relaxed and local authorities resumed their full services.

·         The approach would be guided by four principles:

1.    Transmission of the virus to be brought, and kept, as low as possible.

2.    Surveillance of transmission and variant emergence must be optimal.

3.    Test, trace and isolate must work effectively with a clear testing strategy.

4.    Vaccines must be effective and delivered equitably.

·         The LOCP contains nine themes – the following were highlighted:

o   Testing and responding to variants of concern

o   Local Contact Tracing Partnership (headed up by Sean Murphy)

o   Community and engagement (working with partners and community champions)

o   Compliance and enforcement (supporting communities to be compliant and using powers as a last resort)

o   Enduring transmission (responses in the event that local Covid levels were sustained at levels higher than the national average)

·         Knowledge about airborne transmission was improved – smaller aerosols played a key role, which was why face coverings and ventilation were important.

·         Some people were more at risk of catching Covid and needed additional protection.

·         Local high risk settings were identified in June 2020 – the Council and its partners had worked closely with them to develop plans and manage outbreaks.

·         Some additional settings were identified since the original LOCP was produced and plans had been developed for these.

·         West Berkshire Council now had a Surveillance Cell to review epidemiology data and outbreak data.

·         Processes for responding to outbreaks and enduring transmission remained broadly unchanged.

·         Actions would be tailored to the specific situation in terms of those most likely to be effective, based on evidence.

·         Clear escalation and de-escalation processes were in place for action in the event of enduring transmission.

·         The Community Support Hub continued to operate and could be stood-down and brought back as required.

·         Communications remained vital and an automated Covid information line had been introduced to cater for those without access to digital platforms.

Councillor Martha Vickers indicated that some things would remain for a long time such as mask wearing and washing hands and suggested that people may not be aware that this would be needed and would be expecting to return to normal.

Matt Pearce indicated that there was a high probability of another wave and agreed that there were things that should be continued, such as hand washing.  He highlighted the low prevalence of flu in the last year, which could be attributed to social distancing and people staying at home.

Meradin Peachey noted that the UK Health Security Agency had suggested there would be an ongoing role for local government in tackling communicable disease and engaging with the public.