Agenda item
Covid 19 Update
- Meeting of Online 'Virtual' Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Monday, 23rd November, 2020 6.30 p.m. (Item 7.2)
- View the background to item 7.2
The Committee to receive an update from Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health.
Minutes:
The Committee received an update from COVID-19 by Somen Banerjee – Director of Public Health regarding:
1. COVID-19 infection: weekly incidence, variation across Tower Hamlets.
2. Local Outbreak Control Plan Priorities.
3. Mass testing (Targeted Asymptomatic Testing).
4. Vaccination.
5. Post lockdown; and
6. Regional Tiering.
The main points of discussion on the presentation are outlined as follows:
The Committee noted that:
- There was under assessment before the introduction of local testing sites.
- In the Borough there is monitoring of data by ethnicity/deprivation and although there have been quite significant disparities these have now narrowed and the testing uptake in different groups has improved.
- One of the key concerns from the data being received from the test and trace programme was that 20% of the people contacted are not self-isolating which is a real concern.
- One of the purposes of the Test and Trace model is not just about identifying contacts but working with people to support them to self-isolate and linking them into support services.
- The data seems to show that in some of the least deprived areas of the Borough there seems to be a lower incidence of Covid-19. Therefore, it is important to understand why the rates are so low and is it necessary to increase uptake of testing.
- Importance of addressing anti-vaccine content online and that the Councils Communications and Marketing Team monitor online content to counter with facts the baseless conspiracy theories about a coronavirus vaccine that have been spreading on social media.
- It will be a significant challenge to develop the trust of the population by the circulation of the correct information through the right channels if there is to be a widespread uptake of the vaccine.
- With regard to the types of workplaces that have been negatively affected as a result of the pandemic these tend not to be the large workplaces, but the small businesses might be a part of the business sector that would benefit from the introduction of mass testing.
- It was difficult to predict which of the new Tiers Tower Hamlets would fall into but if the Borough moved into Tier Two which would means for example that you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – (i.e. the ‘rule of 6) pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. The Council would need to be strong on local compliance and Local Enforcement because there is a risk that cases will start to go up again as it did last time with the easing of the lock down last time.
In conclusion, the Chair:
1. Thanked Somen Banerjee – Director of Public Health for his presentation and for the level of pertinent detail that he had provided; and
2. Informed the Committee that he had received the Mayor’s response to the Committee’s COVID Review, and that the Committee would review these responses in greater depth and look forward to action and moving forward with the Committee’s recommendations.
Supporting documents:
- OSC cover page - 23 Nov - COVID update presentation (1), item 7.2 PDF 119 KB
- OSC C-19 November 2020 (1), item 7.2 PDF 416 KB