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COVID RATE PASSES 100 PER 100,000
Thursday, July 1, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today
NEWS |11 CORONAVIRUS LATEST Vaccinations go on the move to ensure nobody is left behind
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By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
VACCINATIONS are going on the move to make it more convenient for people to get their covid jab.
Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is co-ordinating visits across Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire boroughs.
Anyone is welcome to visit the specially adapted vaccination van, and they don’t need to be registered with a GP.
Healthcare professionals and wellbeing teams will be on board the Health on the Move van to answer Covid questions and offer the vaccination.
Details of where the van will be visiting will be published over the next few days.
Wokingham residents are asked to keep an eye on Wokingham. Today’s website for updates to find out when it will be in their area.
Katie Summers, director of partnerships for the CCG, said: “We know that for some people it’s not easy to get to a vaccination centre which is why we’re bringing the van closer to you.
“And we know some people still have concerns about the safety of the vaccine so we’ve got local, trusted medical professionals on hand to help, answer questions and deal with any concerns that are making people feel anxious.
“We’re working in partnership with our voluntary and community sector and faith leaders to build vaccine confidence and focus on ensuring everyone is protected and no one gets left behind in the vaccine roll out,” she added.
“Please pay us a visit because the quicker we all get jabbed the quicker we can all get back to doing things that we’ve missed so much.”
QUESTIONS: Health professionals will be on hand to answer queries about the vaccine Picture: Berkshire West CCG
Covid infection rate exceeds 100 in borough
THE RATE of infection in the borough has exceeded 100 cases per 100,000 people for the first time since February — during the second wave.
On Tuesday, June 29, there were 36 positive cases, and the infection rate was 104, higher than 72.5 last week.
It brings the total case number to 9,086.
This is lower than the national rate of infection at 145.4 per 100,000 people, which has risen 72.8% in the last week.
On the same day, Bracknell Forest saw its rate per 100,000 rise to 102 from 77.5. There were 22 new cases on Tuesday, June 29.
The figures in neighbouring Reading borough are higher than in Wokingham again this week, with an infection rate of 156.4, higher than last week’s 141.6.
On Tuesday, Reading reported 66 positive cases – it had 88 on Monday.
Windsor and Maidenhead had 34 new cases reported that day, and its rate per 100,000 has risen from 46.9 to 99.7 this week.
West Berkshire recorded 19 positive cases, and its infection rate is 67.5, up from 56.2 last week.
Slough’s infection rate is 89.6, up from 62.2 last week. It recorded 33 covid cases on Tuesday.
Nationally, 44,581,771 people have been given their first dose of a vaccine in the UK, and 32,721,762 people have had their second dose.
In England, this is 37,382,390 first doses and 2,522,043 second doses.
On Tuesday, there were 23 deaths in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test. There were 265 patients admitted to hospital with the virus.
Long covid symptoms helped through singing
DOCTORS at the Royal Berkshire Hospital have teamed up with the English National Opera (ENO) to help patients suffering from symptoms of long covid.
The musical and medical venture has singers and therapists from ENO running online coaching sessions with patients at the hospital’s long covid clinic.
The holistic online programme teaches selfmanagement tools for patients experiencing breathlessness and associated anxiety.
In the weekly group sessions, patients are given the tools and techniques used by singers to help them focus constructively on their breathing. Patients are taught to retrain their breathing through singing.
Lullabies are used as the musical starting point as their purpose is to calm.
Last year, 90% of those involved in the six-week pilot reported definite improvements in symptoms and wellbeing.
Participants also said it reduced how isolated they felt.
Now the programme is being rolled out to 1,000 patients across the country.
At the Royal Berkshire Hospital, it’s being led by Dr Deepak Ravindran, lead clinician for Berkshire Long Covid Integrated Service.
He oversaw the creation of the long covid clinic, one of the first in the country to establish such a venture.
“The success of the ENO pilot last year is showing good results and proving that breathing through singing can help those suffering with breathlessness,” he said.
“The programme provides vital physical and emotional support to those experiencing the effects of long covid and it’s great to see the ENO working with the NHS on such creative measures to help people with this illness.”
Whole class isolation is risk aversion gone mad says MP
ON MONDAY, one of the borough’s MPs raised his concerns about whole classes of pupils having to self-isolate after a positive covid case.
James Sunderland, whose Bracknell constituency includes Finchampstead, Crowthorne and Wokingham Without, said it is risk aversion gone mad.
“Current covid policy dictates that if a single child tests positive for coronavirus at school, the entire class is sent home and forced to isolate for 10 days,” he said.
“We owe it to our children to get back to normal.”
Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees Mogg replied, stating: “While in some cases a whole class might be required to isolate, we know that many settings are using seating plans and other means to identify close contacts and minimise the number of individuals that need to isolate.”
Mr Rees Mogg said it is not an “absolute rule” but a matter of judgement.
He added: “I hope people will use their judgement wisely.” � For more information about self-isolation guidance for school pupils, staff and families, visit: www.gov.uk
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 1, 2021 Pride of Reading awards reveals new sponsors
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
THREE new sponsors have been announced for this year’s Pride of Reading and the focus is on celebrating frontline heroes.
The annual awards celebrate achievements of ordinary people and organisations across the greater Reading area and are hosted by television celebrity Chris Tarrant.
Reading-based Jacobs Jewellers will present a Special Recognition Award which will be revealed on the day.
Company partner Adam Jacobs: “We’re thrilled to be supporting the 2021 Pride of Reading Awards. Having been established in Reading for almost 75 years, it’s a real honour to sponsor the Special Recognition Award, a category that’s incredibly meaningful to our community –maybe even Pride of Reading’s jewel in the crown”.
Solicitors Boyes Turner will sponsor two Business in Actions awards, one for under 50 employees and one for more than 50.
A spokesperson for Boyes Turner said: “In an extraordinarily challenging year businesses across Reading stepped up during the Covid-19 crisis to support their communities. The Business in Action category, which Boyes Turner is sponsoring, gives us a chance to recognise those efforts and say thank you to the businesses and people who make a difference to people’s lives.”
Berkeley Homes is to sponsor a photograph competition, with the theme to be announced shortly.
Sally Swift, who chairs the awards, said: “We are delighted to welcome Boyes Turner and Jacobs Jewellers to our sponsors.
“It shows that local companies want to thank our frontline heroes who have done so much for us during the pandemic.
“And we are so pleased to run another photograph competition with Berkeley Homes.”
The new sponsors join McDonalds, Reading Football Club, Macbeth Insurance, Broad Street Mall Reading Buses, The Oracle, M&G Real Estate, Qwerty, AB Walker, Green Park, IQVIA and Cream Design. Supporters include ITV, ITM.AV, Reading Borough Council, BBC Radio Berkshire, Berzerk Productions, Reading FC Conference and Events, Electric Hair, Starlet Dance School.
The awards will be held on Friday, December 3, at the Madejski Stadium.
Nominations will remain open until early October. � To nominate someone, visit www.porawards.co.uk
CELEBRATION: Host Chris Tarrant with awards presenter Mel Bloor of ITV Meridian Picture: Pride of Reading
FOUR Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed for Berkshire.
The Lord Lieutenant James Puxley, has chosen four people to help him represent the Queen in the county.
Lindsey Beard JP, Carol Jackson-Doerge, Lucy Zeal and Geraldine Lejeune OBE were selected.
Mr Puxley said he was delighted to welcome four new Deputy Lieutenants, who are encouraged to support public and emergency services and the armed forces.
“I congratulate them on being awarded this honour and I look forward to working with them in the future,” he said.
Deputy Lieutenants are expected to promote a spirit of co-operation by supporting charitable and voluntary organisations and to take an interest in the commercial, social, civic and spiritual life of Berkshire.
The Lord Lieutenant is now supported in his work by the Vice Lord Lieutenant and 31 Deputy Lieutenants.
Ms Zeal is also the 20th High Steward of Wokingham in 2018, a life appointment.
She sits on the Wokingham Civic Awards selection committee, and is a patron of WADE.
Ms Zeal volunteers for Browns Community Services and supports other charities.
She was the High Sheriff of Berkshire between 2019 and 2020. A FINCHAMPSTEAD nursery has received a top accreditation for quality improvement.
Waverley Nursery, on Waverley Way, has been awarded a Quality Counts Platinum Accreditation from the National Day Nursery Association (NDNA).
Lianne Costello, head of nursery provision, said: “I am very proud that we have achieved the highest grade for this accreditation, and this reflects the quality of our care and provision Waverley Nursery provides.
“We constantly reflect on our nursery to ensure we are second to none and the children are provided with high quality educators to not only care for them daily but also provide them with achieving their very first milestones in education.”
Mrs Costello said Waverley Nursery has a child-centred, selfguided curriculum.
PEDAL POWER: Paul Busby being given the latest advice on E-Bikes by Rob Bowen and Dave Llewellyn of A W Cycles Picture: Pride of Reading Cycling of tomorrow, today
WOKINGHAM residents enjoyed being told to get on their bikes on Saturday, thanks to the town council.
It teamed up with My Journey Wokingham to give people a chance to try ebikes from the Shute End car park.
Specialists AW Cycles and Velospeed had a range for people to try out, while youngsters could have a go at balance bikes.
Dr Bike was on hand to offer free bike checks, while clothing, accessories and helmets were on sale.
And people could take part in a bike challenge run by Urban Limits.
A spokesperson for the Wokingham My Journey Team said: “Ebikes are particularly useful for older adults or those with disabilities who need a little help up the hills.
“Using an ebike does not mean being lazy as you can get all the health benefits from pedalling normally for much of the journey and, with better weather on its way, why not get in the habit of ditching the car for short journeys and improving air quality.
“In the last year, bike shops have been selling out of e-bikes for all ages, even more quickly than children’s bikes.”
