The Committee will receive an update from Somen Banerjee – Director of Public Health on the latest position in Tower Hamlets regarding Covid-19 (to be notified at the meeting).

The Committee received an update from Covid-19 from Somen Banerjee – Director of Public Health, the main points of the questioning maybe summarised as follows:

The Committee:

v  Was advised that since January there has been a significant improvement although the incidences of epidemic remain in the 25- to 34-year-olds and the 55- to 64-year-olds.

v  Noted that across the Borough the highest levels are in Poplar; Bromley by Bow and Shadwell and the disparity trends to continue by ethnicity and is particularly prevalent amongst the Black African and Bangladeshi populations.  Whilst there is still a disproportionately high number of cases in the Boroughs social housing.

v  Noted that 40,000 Tower Hamlets residents have now had at least the first douse in terms of the priority the initial priority groups 80% of 80yrs and above; 78% of 75yrs to 79yrs and 39% of the clinically extremely vulnerable group. Although it was noted that this category has now been expanded from 9,000 based on the original criterion to 25,000 to the new criterion as clinically extremely vulnerable based on social variables such as ethnicity; deprivation and body-mass index.  This has a particular effect on Tower Hamlets relative to other London boroughs as the number of clinically extremely vulnerable and has increased to a higher level than other boroughs across North-East London primarily because of ethnicity and deprivation.

v  Noted that those individuals who are not taking up vaccine will be contacted to talk through if they have any issues about the vaccines and how those issues can be resolved.

v  Noted that from the 1st of February 2021 a Vaccine Helpline funded by LBTH and supported with training and resources by GP Care Group had been established and is now open 7 days per week, between 8:00 am to 8:00 pm with multilingual staff to (i) answer queries; (ii) contact those who are vaccine hesitant; (iii) book appointments to local clinics and mass vaccination centres.

v  Accepted that the impact of COVID-19 on communities was going to rely in part on the quality of communication regarding health risk and danger. Any co-ordinated approach by partners and stakeholders needs to take full account of the way life conditions, cultural values, and risk experience affect actions during a pandemic. Unfamiliarity with sociocultural, economic, psychological, and health factors within any community can jeopardise effective communication at all levels.

v  Was advised that people with Learning Difficulties will now be prioritised for a Covid vaccine as they face a higher risk of death from Covid-19 and so will now be moved up the priority list.

v  Noted that the Government is piloting a new diagnostic test, called a lateral flow test, for detecting the virus that causes Covid and to prioritise schools so when students go back to school, they will be given lateral flow tests in the school. However, the purpose of these lateral flow tests is to familiarise them with taking these tests at home so that it becomes part of routine life school children and children will self-administer lateral flow tests around twice a week. In addition, there will be an emphasis on families with an expansion of the availability of home testing through collection points.

v  Noted that all businesses in England are now able to sign up to the Government’s free COVID-19 workplace testing programme. Which is part of the Government’s roadmap to cautiously lift restrictions, businesses of all sizes, including those with fewer than 50 employees, can register from today to order free lateral flow tests for their employees.

v  Noted that approximately 1 in 3 people with Covid do not have symptoms, which means they could be spreading the virus in workplaces without knowing. As rapid testing detects cases quickly (in under 30 minutes) this means that positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission.

v  Noted that regular testing could be the difference between a workplace being able to stay open and operational, or needing to close due to a Covid outbreak. It will therefore form a crucial part of the Government’s plan to ease restrictions gradually and safely as we get back to a more normal life.

v  Was advised that successful management of local outbreaks is a core element of NHS Test and Trace’s ambition to break the chains of Covid transmission to enable people to return to and maintain a more normal way of life.

v  Was informed that it in combating Covid it was critical to develop structures and ways of working, alongside existing emergency response mechanisms and to maximise their effectiveness.

v  Commented that many Borough’s Bangladeshi population live in extended families, often, with three generations under one roof. This means there are potentially a higher number of carriers who can infect an elderly relative. An older person also cannot effectively self-isolate when they are living in close quarters with their extended family.

v  Indicated that all this makes Covid particularly troubling in Bangladeshi communities, some of which are, like Tower Hamlets, in the most deprived areas of the country, with poor health outcomes to match.

v  Was pleased to note that going forwarded there would be increased use of the community-based venues for residents to get vaccinated e.g. GP Practices.

v  Noted that there is emerging evidence on the long-term health effects of Covid e.g. long-term respiratory complications, thrombosis, heart failure, kidney injury, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and metabolic abnormalities. However, long-term cohort studies are needed to better understand disease consequences in Covid patients.

v  Noted that patients have experienced ongoing COVID-19 symptoms for several months after infection. These include fatigue, difficulties in thinking, shortness of breath, chest pain, irregular or abnormal heart rhythm, and joint pain.

v  Acknowledge that the pandemic is a chronic health crisis and clinicians will be required to maintain a state of high alert for an extended period

v  Commented that the referendum in Tower Hamlets must be conducted safely against the backdrop of coronavirus restrictions, although there will need to be a risk assessment of key proceedings and put in place appropriate mitigations and additional measures to ensure that public health advice around physical distancing, proper hand hygiene and the use of face coverings is followed.

v  Venues and staffing for the referendum are crucial, the Council should consider whether the venues they plan to use for polling and other election proceedings, including the count, allow for physical distancing. The Council also needs to consider whether they will need additional staff to assist with key aspects of the election in the context of Covid.

v  Wanted to see early engagement with key stakeholders in the Borough including political parties, candidates, and agents is important, especially where normal arrangements may need to be adapted in line with Covid restrictions and public health advice.

In conclusion, the Chair thanked Somen Banerjee for his detailed presentation and to all members and guests for their contributions in the discussions on this topic.