Issue - meetings

3.1    The Chair thanked staff and volunteers for all the hard work undertaken with regard to the pandemic. This item was presented by the Director of Public Health and the Director of Public Services.

3.2    The Director of Public Services said that since the last meeting of this panel, infection rates had continued to fall as a result of the lock down. He said that the government had issued a four step road map which was outlined in the report. He said that the first step, return to school, had gone well. There had been a lot of testing for corona virus and this would continue to ensure that any outbreak was contained. Officers were developing a plan to work alongside that government road map to help the community and local economy to exit safely from lockdown. Some services, like testing, would increase. Shielding services will cease at the end of the month. Staffing levels for the changing services were being considered because if a variant of concern was identified in the borough, surge testing would be required and 50 members of staff would need to be recruited very quickly to deliver the service.

3.3    The Director of Public Services said that critical services and response services continue to be delivered. 129 staff had been deployed to the covid action team. A further 21 agency staff had been added to that team.

          Shielding

          A further12,000 people had been received onto the shielding list; the total of those shielding was 21,000 in the borough.

          Community Testing

There had been 16,000 tests in community centres. Positive rates were .89%. Last week, a successful exercise on testing was undertaken in case a variant of concern was identified in the borough. This would ensure that Lewisham would be able to respond quickly and contain an outbreak.

Enforcement Works

13,000 checks on businesses had been undertaken and just over 1100 visits since starting a new approach this year. As we emerge out of lock down, this approach would have to change. Officers expected rules to change and Lewisham would need to help businesses to adapt to the new rules safely.

Infection rates

The 7 day infection rate on 26 January 2021 was 538 per 100,000. 18^th out of the 33 London boroughs. On 16 March 2021, the infection rate had dropped to 24.5 31^st out of the 33 London boroughs. One of the lowest in London and a significant drop.

On 26 January 2021 the infection rates for those residents 60+ years was 644 per 100,000 and was one of the highest rates in London  It had reduced to 14.5 29^th out of the 33 London boroughs.

3.4    In conclusion, the Director of Public Services said that lockdown had been successful in reducing infection rates, and the pressure on hospitals as a result. The number of covid related deaths continued to fall; last week there were three. He said that the safe exit from lockdown must be managed carefully and response  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

The following referral to Mayor & Cabinet was recommended;-

1)    Guarantee a firewall that prevents any information governed by the NHS being used for Test & Trace being used for immigration enforcement

2)    End all hostile environment measures in the NHS, including charging for migrants, to combat the fear and mistrust these policies have created

3)    Provide specific support for all GP surgeries to register everyone including under-documented and undocumented migrants and those without secure accomodation and ensure that all other routes to vaccination are accessible to everyone

4)    Fund a public information campaign to ensure that communites impacted by their hostile enviroment are aware of their rights and access to the vaccine.

The referral was agreed by the Panel.

RESOLVED the report was noted