Confidence Boosting Covid-19 Testing in the Rural Community
For some time now COVID-19 self‑test kits have been available free of charge in Norfolk from pharmacies, libraries, and by ordering online. These are for individuals to use at home and for small businesses. Self-tests, while not absolutely definitive, should give individuals a degree of confidence they are COVID-19 free.
However, many clerks and residents of our rural parishes are far from these sources of supply.
So, starting on Monday September 20th two changes are coming. The first is Mobile Library Collect. An additional source of tests will become available via the Mobile Libraries which traverse, indeed criss-cross, the rural parishes of Norfolk visiting each one at least once per month. Simply, turn up and collect self-test kits.
The second is Neighbourhood Collect. Staff of local councils and group leaders can get up to 25 boxes* of COVID-19 self-test kits from libraries and mobile libraries to give out either to those who have less access to testing in their local council area, or to their group members to help give assurance they are meeting again in a safer environment. Please note: details will be collected such as, name, local council, group name, postcode, etc, and the tests must be stored between 2-30 degrees Celsius.
These changes are explained in the attached PowerPoint presentation, posters and stickers/logos.
Hopefully, these two new schemes will give added help to those on the wrong side of the digital divide and to those who are too frightened to come out and resume a more normal life in the community.
This programme is completely free to use across Norfolk, so make sure you are making the most of it.
Also, there is a mobile service potentially available that could bring an observed self-testing service to your parish for special, large events or where large numbers of hard-to-reach people are likely to gather such as community kitchens, lunches, markets, and the like. You can help by passing on information about such events or venues (or any other queries) to Aiden Skeels at c19testing@norfolk.gov.uk
* There are 7 tests per box designed to last 3.5 weeks assuming twice weekly testing.
COVID-19
Vaccinations:
All children aged 12-15 in England will be offered one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, following advice from England’s Chief Medical Officers which overrides the Joint Committee for Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI)’s advice not recommending vaccines for 12-15 year olds.
In addition, the Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that booster jabs would be rolled out from next week for those over 50 or with serious immune conditions.
Shielding Programme ends for most vulnerable:
People previously considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable will not be advised to shield again, as the government agrees to end the requirement for centralised guidance for these groups following expert clinical advice. The closure of the shielding programme follows a pause to shielding guidance in place since 1 April 2021.
This decision is based on there being far more information available on the virus and what makes individuals more or less vulnerable, the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme and the emergence of proven treatments, such as dexamethasone and tocilizumab, to support improved outcomes in clinical care pathways.
Shielding was introduced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the few interventions available to support those who were considered to be most at risk of serious illness from the virus.