Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Fielker, Cllr Paffey, Grainne Siggins, Executive Director Adult Social Care, Gary Whittle, Chamber of Commerce and  Carol Cunio, Council of Faiths.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th December 2020and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 8^th December 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Board received and noted the report of the Interim Director of Public Health detailing the Covid-19 Situation update.

The Board particularly noted that the latest version of Southampton’s Covid Plan had been updated and published on the City Councils website today, the test and trace service had launched and there were over 300 Covid-19 Champions across the City with the scheme working very well and had also been recognised regionally.

Early warning data indicated that there had been a slight increase in movement across most areas with a slight decrease in parks which would be weather related however on the whole there was re-assurance that in and around Southampton movement was low and residents were abiding by lockdown.

In relation to NHS Pathways it was noted that there had been a slight increase in 999 and 111 calls which had peaked in January but were now reducing, there had been over 2000 infections reported in total in this period to date but in the last 3 weeks there had been a significant reduction in cases. In relation to other areas as of 2^nd February the South East region was 198 opposed to the England national figure of 233. 

In relation to hospitals and discharges it was noted that Southampton University Hospital Trust had peaked in mid-January albeit figures were still high and there was significant pressure, however the last 7 days had seen a reduction of 184 (9%) cases and in relation to discharge to social care there had been a reduction of 18% than the previous week but figures were still high.  Mortality rates for the City were 275, 179 in hospital, 96 in the community and 78 in care homes.   

The Board received and noted the report of the Interim Director of Public Health detailing the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Covid-19 Vaccination Programme.

Jenny Erwin, COVID19 Deputy Incident Commander, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

It was noted that there were six sites across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight rolling out the vaccine programme together with GP surgeries, hospital hubs and pharmacies.  The vaccination programme was on track to deliver the target of 15^th February to those identified in phase 1 of the roll out.  Phase 2 would then commence on the next identified cohort.  It was noted that there was clear rationale for the cohort approach, National take-up was at 75% with Hampshire and Isle of Wight at 85%.  Significant engagement work had taken place and it was important that no cohort was missed.   

The Board received and noted the report of the Interim Director of Public Health detailing the Southampton Test and Trace which went live as a pilot in December 2020 targeting those areas in the City with the highest prevalence of Covid-19.  The service had been very successful and given this the service was scaled up to ensure coverage for the whole City which went live on 13^th January 2021.  Members of staff from the Test and Trace Service were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.  It was particularly noted that there had been successful contact with over 80% of cases in accordance with the SAGE guidance.

The Board received and noted the report of the Interim Director of Public Health detailing the system of the Four E’s, Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce which has been followed by Police nationally.

Covid-19 Marshals had also been introduced by the Council to help encourage residents to follow the guidance and legislation which had received excellent feedback to the initiative.

Chief Inspector Dhanda was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.  It was noted that policing data had indicated that Southampton had been one of the busiest areas in Hampshire for Covid related incidents.

Live Event Question and Answer Session to Members of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board.

The Board held a live event question and answer session from members of the public.  This can be viewed via the lint to the meeting on the City Councils webpage:- http://www.southampton.gov.uk/modernGov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=748&MId=6529&Ver=4