Agenda item

Councillor Sue Lukes, Executive Member Community Safety and Pandemic response was present and accompanied by Jonathan O’Sullivan, Acting Director of Public Health. A presentation was made, and outlined to the Committee, copy interleaved

During consideration of the report the following main points were made –

·         Reduction in case rates are slowing down and has levelled out over the last few weeks, however in the last week there had been a further reduction and there had been 40 positive cases the lowest since September. In the over 60 age group there were only 2/3 infections per week at present

·         Number of infections decreased in 5-10 year olds but have increased slightly for 11-24 year olds

·         Testing – rates of symptomatic testing are slightly decreasing and positivity rates have also decreased and is now 1.1%

·         PCR testing rates are highest amongst the most deprived areas of Islington and in the school population and the positive rate is extremely low

·         Second wave of mortality due to COVID 19 is showing signs of slowing down and the latest week of deaths from all causes shows overall numbers are similar to the average of 2015-2019 deaths. Noted that there had been no deaths from COVID the previous week

·         Noted 50000 residents had now had their first vaccination and in the over 70 age group this was 83%

·         There are still differences in vaccination take up in certain BAME communities and a number of pop up centres had been utilised and this would continue

·         Noted that a shopping centre campaign had been launched with shopkeepers to assist people in keeping safe, and shops are being encouraged to sign up to COVID safe premises

·         In response to a question it was stated employers were also being encouraged to let staff get tested and vaccinated in work time

·         A Member stated that she had heard that some Council staff were being told to get vaccinated or tested before or after work and Councillor Lukes stated that this should not be the case and that she would investigate this

·         Vaccinations – noted that there has been a difficulty with supply and these had been erratic at times. Noted that if there are difficulties with getting an appointment for a vaccination We are Islington can assist and communication in different languages was taking place

·         Concern was expressed that some restaurants did not appear to be operating social distancing and it was stated that if there were instances of this they should be notified so that action can be taken

·         In response to a question as to disabled people not being assisted properly at vaccination centres on some occasions it was stated that volunteers are trained however Councillor Lukes stated that she would look into this and ensure appropriate measures were investigated to assist disabled residents, such as GP appointments, signage etc.

·         In response to a question it was stated that a number of options for pop up vaccination centres were being looked at, such as vaccine buses and Members would be kept updated on this

·         Discussion took place as to the report that 23% of the deaths from COVID within 28 days had been registered as COVID, deaths when in fact these deaths had not been from COVID but from other causes. It was stated that over 100000 people had died from COVID, in addition to the implications of long COVID on people

The Chair thanked Councillor Lukes and Jonathan O’Sullivan for attending