6 | NEWS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, November 12, 2020
CORONAVIRUS LATEST How to get help in Wokingham borough: To access the ‘One Front Door’ service, call Citizen’s Advice on 0300 330 1189 Those calling from a mobile phone should enter if prompted: 0118 978 7258
Call for BAME volunteers IN AN EFFORT to advance Reading’s coronavirus vaccine, a call has been put out for Black and minority ethnic (BME) volunteers. People from all communities are being asked to take part in vaccine studies into Covid-19. But figures from Reading show that volunteers from BAME communities are underrepresented. “Covid-19 has taken the lives of many of our population. Many of us have lost loved ones,” said Dr Kajal Patel, a GP at Milman and Kennet Surgery in neighbouring Reading. “I would like to make a request that all Black and minority ethnic Reading residents would strongly consider joining the vaccine registry and to take part” Without a diverse input, there is no certainty that the vaccine will work within the BME population, according to Dr Kajal. “Please register,” she added. “Your support is needed.” People from black communities are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to Public Health England. And death rates amongst black and Asian ethnic groups are higher than others. At present, 1.19% of Covid vaccine volunteers in the Reading area are black, African, black British or Caribbean, while 6.7% of the area’s population belong to this ethnic group. And 10.62% of registrations are comprised of Asian and Asian British volunteers, whereas 13.6% of the population belongs to this ethnic group. “The only way to check how well a coronavirus vaccine works is to carry out large-scale clinical trials involving thousands of people,” said Kate Bingham, chair of the government’s Vaccine Taskforce. “We want to ensure the data we get actually represents the different people from different backgrounds in the UK.” To sign up to the NHS Covid-19 vaccine research registry, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/ coronavirus-covid-19/research/coronavirusvaccine-research
‘Vaccine news is good, but keep to the rules’
New online dashboard for real-time data
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
A CORONAVIRUS dashboard which allows Wokingham residents to see real time, local Covid-19 data is the first of its kind in the UK, writes Charlotte King. The website, which launched last week, has been provided by Public Health Berkshire and allows residents to see the latest statistics and information on Covid-19. According to the site, there have been 1,635 recorded cases in Wokingham borough since the start of the pandemic. It informs users on the number of new cases, death rates, and offers data on potential cases amongst those exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms. “We know that there is a real concern about rising infection rates across the Borough, and we are working hard to communicate the latest updates in the most impactful way through our ‘In It Together’ campaign,” said Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services at Wokingham Borough Council. “It is a fantastic one-stop-shop for relevant statistics and makes it much easier for local people to search for important data in their area.”
THE NEWS that a potential vaccine could be in use by Christmas has been welcomed – but the warning remains that people still need to follow social distancing rules.
Council leader John Halsall said: “The vaccination is welcome news, but the current way of life is likely to be in place for another six months. “The message is the same, if you want to enjoy Christmas and normal life, we have to put the attitudes (of social distancing) into our normal way of life, as that is what it will be for the foreseeable future. “Even if the vaccine successfully passes the trials, we won’t have enough supplies immediately. It wont cover the whole population. “So, at the moment, it’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Virus cases dropped a little earlier this month, but the numbers are creeping up again. Yesterday (Wednesday), there were 42 new confirmed cases. However, there may have been a lag in reporting as on Tuesday, there were two cases, and 20 on Monday. In all, there have been 1,635 and Wokingham has 18 cases per 100,000 of the population based on a seven-day rolling average. This is up from 13 per 100,000 last week, and nine per 100,000 on October 10. Cllr Halsall is encouraging residents to keep treating the virus as a serious issue. “You can’t be complacent,” he warned. “We’ve all got to be evangelists for the rules. “Irrespective of whether there’s a vaccine or not, we can contain the virus and lead our normal lives if we stick to them.
“I keep encouraging people to ensure they have the NHS Test and Trace app on their phone and use it when they check in. “The whole purpose of it is to tell you if you need to quarantine if you’re a risk to other people. “We’ve got to get everyone universally using the app and every time they go to a new setting to check in and check out. It’s really really important that everyone has the app on their phone and use it. “I’m sure that if everybody plays the game, we can look forward to the new year where we’re not going from lockdown after lockdown.” And Cllr Halsall thanked those who were already doing this. “People in Wokingham are generally very, very compliant, very sensible, very responsible,” he said. “They shouldn’t need anything other than reminding.”
£30,000 fines for Covid breach
Abuse support
POLICE have issued £30,000 of fines after more than 50 people were found at a house party on Wednesday, November 1 – the night before lockdown started. Thames Valley Police said that officers attended an address in the Reading area, where loud music was playing and many of the occupants appeared to be ‘intoxicated’. Officers broke up the party, and the three residents – who organised the event despite coronavirus restrictions in force preventing more than six people from gathering – were each fined £10,000. The Gold Commander of the force’s response to the coronavirus, Chief Superintendent Rob France, said that everyone needed to obey the rules and they
LOCKDOWN is a difficult time for many, including those in abusive relationships – but help is at hand. Kaleidoscopic UK, a Finchampstead-based domestic violence charity, has seen demand for its services skyrocket as England moved under new coronavirus restrictions. “Lockdown is an accelerant,” Vickie Robertson, founder of Kaleidoscopic UK, said. “It’s the worst time for most people because it gives abusers the ultimate power and control at home. “We’ve had an increase in demand, definitely. It’s a busy time for everybody in the services, but the support will always be there.” However, despite the new lockdown restrictions, Kaleidoscopic UK is able to continue some of its face-to-face work with survivors of domestic abuse, including running peer support groups. “We’re actually exempt from the rules because we work with victims of crime,” Ms Robertson explained. “It means we’re able to continue providing in-person support throughout lockdown which is a huge relief.” But the charity is concerned about the season ahead. “Christmas is not always a nice time of year for those living with an abuser,” the charity’s founder added. “It can be a huge trigger for abusive behaviour, when you look at the figures.” In order to ensure Kaleidoscopic UK can continue offering support throughout the coronavirus pandemic and in the run-up to Christmas, the charity is encouraging people to get involved to spread awareness and raise funds. “We’re running our Berkshire Christmas Helper Elves programme again this year, which people can take part in on Facebook,” Ms Robertson said. “Last year, we managed to get 350 children presents and we’re going to try and do that again. “And fundraising is also a great thing. People can head to our website, send us a message and we can help then find a way to get involved,” she added. To find out more about Kaleidoscopic UK’s support services, visit: www.kaleidoscopic.uk
didn’t want to issue any fines. “Cases of coronavirus are once again increasing and with that, the risk to lives,” he said in a statement. “As such we all have our part to play in following the measures and the law in place to help stop the spread of this indiscriminate virus. “We would rather not have to issue fines such as these, however in this case our officers encountered a blatant disregard for the rules that are in place and this party posed a clear risk of transmission of the virus within the Reading community. "Not only do breaches of this kind put people at risk from a health perspective, but they put pressure on policing resources taking them away from people
who may be in urgent need of help.” He added: “Our officers will continue to engage, encourage and explain the regulations to our communities however where we encounter people who we feel are flagrantly ignoring them we will look to enforce be it through dispersal, fines or even arrest.” “It is clear to us that the vast majority of the people in the Thames Valley are doing what they can to do the right thing and we continue to be hugely grateful to them for the sacrifices they are making to protect us all. “We are committed to working with our partners, businesses and the public to make our communities safer and help stop the spread of this deadly virus.”
NHS services draw up plans to cope with winter AS THE WINTER draws in, health and social care teams across Berkshire West are joining forces. In order to prepare for increased demand, hospital staff and local councils have drawn up a comprehensive plan to ensure NHS services are prepared for winter, flu, Covid-19 and other health demands. The NHS comes under more strain every winter as cold weather and hazardous conditions lead to greater reliance on GP services and hospitals. And due to the coronavirus pandemic, demand will be even greater this year.
� www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk/covid-19dashboard
“Our winter planning this year looks very different because of Covid-19,” said Dom Hardy, chief operating officer at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. “However, we are fully prepared, building on the good work we’ve done over previous winters, and using all the information we’ve learned during Covid. “We’re working hard to keep on top of our planned and emergency work and to do it safely whilst also caring for Covid patients, but we need the cooperation of local people here.”
Mr Hardy is encouraging residents with life-threatening conditions to continue coming to the emergency room, and is asking those with hospital appointments to continue attending. “The hospital is perfectly safe,” he adds, “and it’s important we continue to manage patients’ healthcare and treatment.” As part of the RBH’s winter strategy, a range of support services for those struggling with their mental health are available too. These include free online
counselling for young people aged 11 to 19, and talking therapies accessible by self-referral. “GP surgeries are all open for business and it’s essential people contact us,” Dr Abid Irfan, chair of the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group added. “And of course there is a lot people can do to help themselves stay well over winter – stock up on painkillers, eat healthily, restrict alcohol to the recommended limits, stop smoking, try and keep warm, have a flu jab and take some exercise.”
