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).

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). It also included a summary of LOCP-related questions received from members of the public and answers provided by Public Health Officers as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

A detailed presentation was given by the Directors of Public Health, Medway Council and Kent County Council, which provided an epidemiological assessment of COVID-19 prevalence across Kent, Medway, and comparison districts. Overall, COVID-19 rates had fallen steadily in all districts since the latest lockdown began. An update was provided on asymptomatic testing as well as testing to understand the prevalence of novel strains within the community, particularly the recent targeted surge testing conducted in the ME15 postcode area. Finally, the presentation provided an update on the vaccination programme across Kent and Medway and the Government’s ‘roadmap’ for leaving lockdown. The Joint Board was reassured about the additional measures put in place to enable the safe return to schools.

The Joint Board was advised that the LOCP was required to be updated and resubmitted to the National Contain Team by the 31 March 2021. A cautious approach to moving forward with the ‘roadmap’ was being undertaken in conjunction with the local resilience forum. There would be ongoing publicity to support the community to keep themselves safe as the locality moved through the phases of the ‘roadmap’ whilst the vaccination programme continued to be rolled out.

With respect to communication, the importance of continuing to communicate a strong message to the public was emphasised. A long period of difficulty was nearing an end and with vigilance and hard work, restrictions would ease later in the year but now was not the time to relax.

Asked whether data was collected on hard-to-reach cohorts and how these groups were supported to receive vaccinations, the Joint Board was assured that data was collected and monitored and that rates of vaccination uptake across Kent and Medway were very good. The importance of ensuring equity of vaccine access was acknowledged to control COVID-19. The more people vaccinated, the better.

With reference to an example of how homeless individuals had been supported to receive vaccinations, it was explained that there was a multi-agency ‘vaccination board’ which looked at issues of equity and a public health consultant was tasked to lead on this area of work. The Communications team at the NHS Kent and Medway CCG were also working extensively in this regard.

It was recognised that more support was required to reach some individuals within priority group 6, such as unpaid carers. It was important that these individuals were registered with the appropriate organisations for them to be called forward centrally, by the system, to receive their vaccinations.

Decision:

The Kent and Medway Joint Health and Wellbeing Board:

a)    noted the 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).

b)    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.