Agenda item

This report provides an update on steps taken to mitigate rising cases of COVID-19 across both Kent and Medway as it relates to the Local Outbreak Control Plan (LOCP). It also includes a summary of LOCP-related questions received from members of the public and answers provided by Public Health Officers (located in Appendix 1).

In view of the rapid evolution of COVID-19, the national and the Kent & Medway re-sponse, it was agreed at the Kent & Medway Joint Health and Wellbeing Board Agenda Planning Meeting that a PowerPoint presentation be delivered outlining; (1) the Kent & Medway experience over the course of the pandemic thus far and (2) our current response to COVID-19 since publication of this cover report. This will be pre-sented at the upcoming meeting. 

Discussion:

The Director of Public Health, Medway Council, introduced this report which provided an update on action undertaken to mitigate rising cases of COVID-19 across both Kent and Medway as it related to the Local Outbreak Control Plan (LOCP). He drew the Joint Board’s attention to recent stress testing, the ‘winterification’ programme and the targeted work which continued to be undertaken to support more vulnerable populations in Kent and Medway. He also gave a detailed presentation.

This presentation provided the most up to date data in relation to COVID-19 outbreaks in Kent and Medway and set out an analysis of trends and details of subsequent interventions within the following settings: Care Homes, Schools Colleges and Universities, Workplaces and Hospitals. The presentation also summarised the LOCP related questions received from members of the public fulfilling the engagement strategy of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board (set out in detail at Appendix 1 to the report). Finally, the presentation provided information about the launch of Asymptomatic Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Testing in Medway, the EU Exit Stress Test, preparation for vaccination and opportunities for the Joint Board to provide its support.

Members raised several points and questions including:

·       Asymptomatic LFD Testing in Medway – asked why a second test would be undertaken following a negative test result, it was explained that this was protocol and was important to create a ‘teachable moment’ to effect behavioural change. It was considered that repeat testing encouraged individuals to continue to follow the precautions, Hands, Face, Space. A view was expressed that it was important to establish Asymptomatic LFD Testing in Kent County Council (KCC) area. The importance of testing in the KCC area was echoed having considered the experience in Swale in relation to COVID-19 infection rates.

·       Increase trend in COVID-19 prevalence – in response to a request for further information in relation to the increasing prevalence of COVID-19 in Kent and Medway around October-November, it was suggested that this coincided with the government announcement about the second national lockdown. It was explained that across many of the then lower tiered regions there was a behavioural shift which influenced the rate of infection. This included changes to, for example, travel patterns and working arrangements which aided community transmission. More detailed analysis was being undertaken.

·       Education settings – a view was expressed that there was an excellent relationship between the Local Authority and Schools in Medway and it was explained that headteachers felt supported. With respect to school closures, it was appreciated that some schools had closed owing to difficulties around staff resourcing, nevertheless, decisions around school closures were complex and needed to consider relevant data.

·       Roving and mobile vaccination plan – asked about the vaccination plan within care homes, it was explained that hospital hubs would be established in the first instance. The initial hub was located at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. A roving model would aim to target more vulnerable communities such as care home residents and they would operate from these hospital hubs. This programme would be delivered by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. Reference was also made to utilising existing Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to administer vaccinations locally.

·       Communication – acknowledging that local Councillors were community leaders and a key provider of information to residents, in response to a question about ensuring all Councillors were apprised on developments such as testing it was explained that within Medway, specific populations were being targeted in the first instance. Direct text messages, leafletting and emails had worked well here. As testing scaled up, which was imminently anticipated, further communications would follow.

It was commented that in Swale, the Council Leader provided all its Councillors with a regular briefing (weekly or daily as required) on the current position so that they could in turn inform the community. 

The Director of Public Health encouraged Joint Board Members to reinforce the importance of following current government guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 including Hands, Face, Space when engaging with the community.

Decision:

The Kent and Medway Joint Health and Wellbeing Board:

a)    Agreed to request that the Directors of Public Health for Kent County Council and Medway Council convey the Joint Board’s thanks to those involved in the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the military who had just joined the response.

b)    Noted this update report and the questions submitted by members of the public on the Local Outbreak Control Plan together with the responses provided by stakeholders from both Kent and Medway Council (Appendix 1).

c)    Agreed that the questions submitted by members of the public on the Local Outbreak Control Plan together with the responses set out at Appendix 1 to the report are published on each Council’s website in accordance with the agreed engagement strategy.