Issue - meetings

The Panel considered and noted the verbal update presented by the Interim Director of Public Health on Covid-19 planning in Southampton.

Debbie Chase, Interim Director of Public Health was in attendance and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Panel were briefed on a number of issues and discussed:

·  The numbers of confirmed case in the City and the numbers of over 60s in hospital with Covid 19;

·  The introduction of Covid Marshalls, and Champions;

·  Public engagement through the Local Outbreak Engagement Board;

·  Concerns that Brexit may impede the distribution of the Covid vaccine; 

·  The importance of strong communication of the public health messages in order to keep members of the public following the hands, face, space message; and 

·  How the public were looking to Councillors to provide information about the vaccination programme in the City.

RESOLVED that the Panel requested:

1.  That, reflecting the role played by elected members in engaging with residents, Councillors are kept informed of the appropriate communications and messages with regards to the roll out of the vaccination in Southampton.

2.  That, reflecting concerns that the message will be diluted with the commencement of vaccinations, public health messages with regards to hands, face, space are reinforced to remind the public of the ongoing need to remain vigilant.