Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book

167

Welcome/introduction

County Councillor Carl Les welcomed Members of the Board and any members of the public or media viewing the meeting. 

He advised that he is the Chair of this Board and Leader of the Council. He added that:-

-        the main role of this Board is to support the effective communication of the test, trace and contain plan for the county and to ensure that the public and local businesses are effectively communicated with;  

-        decisions of the Board are purely advisory and its recommendations will be considered through the governance arrangements of the bodies represented, which retain their decision making sovereignty;

-        the papers for this meeting had been published in advance on the County Council’s website; and

-        the Board comprises, among others, representatives of the County Council; District and Borough Councils; the NHS; Public Health England; Schools; Healthwatch; the Care Sector; and the Voluntary Sector

County Councillor Les referred to the untimely death of Councillor John Clark who had been representing Ryedale District Council on the Board.

168

Apologies for absence

As stated in the attendance on the previous page.

169

Notes of meeting held on 27^th July 2021 and any matters arising

AGREED that these were an accurate reflection of the discussion.

170

Declarations of interest (if any)

There were no declarations of interest.

171

Notification of Any other business

The Chair asked Members if they could advise him, at this stage, whether they had any item of urgent business they were likely to raise under that heading, so that he could ensure there was sufficient time at the end to consider it.  No Members indicated that they had any urgent business to raise.

172

Update on the current position in North Yorkshire - Victoria Turner, Public Health Consultant

Slides were presented by Victoria Turner, which contained data regarding the epidemiology of the pandemic internationally; for the UK; North Yorkshire; and by Districts.

Victoria highlighted the following:-

-        Globally, the UK has the fifth highest number of cases and the seventh highest number of fatalities

-        The current UK 7-day rolling average of daily new cases was 33,828 - The current UK 7-day rolling average of daily deaths was 106.

-        In North Yorkshire there had been 1,651 new cases reported over the past week, which is a weekly rolling average of 236 per day.

-        The 7-day incidence rate (to 22/08/2021) in North Yorkshire was 311.3 cases per 100,000 population, lower than the England rate of 330.5.

-        The North Yorkshire rate was 11.5 per 100,000 on 1st September in comparison to the England rate of 16.1.

-        Ryedale had the highest rate of new cases over the past 7 days in North Yorkshire (rates in Ryedale and Selby are above the England average) while Harrogate had seen the highest number of cases over the past 7 days.

-        There had been 2 deaths reported in the latest 24 hour period. Over the past week, there have been an average of 0.7 deaths per day.

-        Generally there had been a number of outbreaks reported in workplaces, Care Homes, hospitality settings and leisure and tourism settings, although these were down on what had been previously reported.

-        The Bank Holiday was about to take place and the message was to enjoy it safely and to remember hands, face, space and fresh air.

NOTED.

173

Vaccination Update - verbal update by  North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group

Sue Peckitt updated.  In summary:-

-         The programme continued to progress well, with 581,700 first doses and 524,572 second doses administered.

-         18 to 29 year olds – 73% have had first dose and 42% have had second dose.

-         16 to 17 year olds – the vaccination has recently opened and 38% have already received their first dose.

-         Those aged 17 years and 9 months can book on the National Booking Line.

-         Guidance was currently awaited on the booster jab programme.

-         Vaccinations were available for 12 to 15 year olds classed as at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID. Contact should be with their GP in respect of this. This also applies to those living with vulnerable adults who have been shielding.

-         The “Evergreen” programme continues allowing those eligible to have a vaccine where they have not already done so.

-         A media message has been sent out to women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or have just delivered to obtain a vaccine as they are at risk of becoming seriously unwell from COVID.

NOTED.

174

Communications Update

The Chair stated that a report had been circulated prior to the meeting, but, unfortunately Mike James was unable to attend to speak to it, therefore, he suggested that Members submit any issues to Mike, directly.

The report highlighted the following issues:-

-        The Respect and Protect Campaign

-        The challenges for communications generally

-        The initial digital only approach.

-        The development of the campaign for the return of schools in September

-        A review of the effectiveness of the campaign

-        The hosting of regular COVID press conferences

NOTED.

175

Partner Updates (on an exception basis):

Health and Care Sectors – Sue Peckitt

-        There is a great deal of pressure currently on both the Care and Health sectors but not all are COVID related, the sectors are just very busy.

-        Increased contact over the Bank holiday period could potentially bring further pressures

-        There were currently 130 COVID patients in local hospitals with 19 of those in Intensive Care.

Schools – Ian Yapp

-        An update to the Guidance had been produced on 17^th August, with some relatively small changes that were expected to be introduced for the beginning of the new term.

-        Existing bubbles would be removed

-        Category framework to be put in place ie Step Up

-        Step Up  - Where 5 children or staff or 10% of the whole school community have tested positive and have been mixing within school, over a ten day period, further action would be undertaken following liaison with Public Health

-        Restricted attendance for specified year groups has been removed for certain year groups, previously identified – could still be used as an absolute last resort

-        Clarification of the rules in relation to contact tracing outlined

-        Some schools have already returned in other LA areas and these are being closely monitored to see how they are coping

NOTED.

176

Next Meeting – Wednesday 29^th September at 2pm.

The Chair confirmed that the next meeting will be on Wednesday 29^th September at 2pm.

177

Any other business

There was no other business to consider.

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