The Covid warning about case numbers and outbreaks from health officials across Cornwall

They say rates in some parts of Cornwall have been as high as in the north west of the UK

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 3rd Dec 2020

There is a warning that Covid case rates in some parts of Cornwall have been as high as in the north west of the UK.

That is according to health officials across the Duchy who have issued a letter to the community.

They say coronavirus cases doubled every fortnight in the months leading up to mid-November, with outbreaks in Liskeard and Torpoint.

More people are in hospital and in intensive care too.

People are being urged not to become complacent and to follow the guidelines strictly, even though we are in Tier 1 of the coronavirus restrictions.

The letter reads:

"We are writing to you to ask for your continued support to try and keep case numbers in Cornwall low.

"The fact is that the virus is still as much a threat as it has always been. The government’s plans to ease lockdown over Christmas and the usual winter pressures on our services mean our strategic preparation must look beyond the next month.

"All our key workers involved in health and care, emergency and community services are working around the clock together to be prepared for whatever the immediate future holds but, we are all in this together and, we want to share with you what we know lies ahead, so you too can play your part.

Our preparedness means we have to look at the worst case scenarios that could happen in Cornwall:

1. our hospitals become overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients needing care

2. already short on numbers, our workforce of nursing staff, GP practices, community pharmacists, care and domiciliary care workers become affected by the virus and unable to work; and

3. more operations and other treatments being postponed

Our fears that the worst case scenarios could become reality are because:

1. COVID-19 cases doubled every fortnight in the months leading up to mid-November, with some outbreaks in areas such as Liskeard and Torpoint, where case rates were as high as in the north west of the UK

2. in Plymouth and South East Cornwall, there has been a clear increase, with more people in hospital, and more in intensive care in Derriford

3. the number of people in hospital in Plymouth and Exeter with COVID-19 is nearly at the same level as at the peak of the first wave and is expected to keep rising for the next few weeks

4. what has been happening in Devon and parts of North and South East Cornwall could happen in the rest of our county if we do not keep up our guard and stick to the rules

5. in Cornwall there has been 3,732 cumulative cases (UK.GOV) as at 29 November

6. in the week ending the 21 November our 7 day case rate was 90 per 100,000 which would have put us in the highest COVID-19 Tier of restrictions back in the summer

"We’re working hard together with our partners and meet regularly to assess and re-assess, the threat the virus poses, using data to predict what could happen in those worst case scenarios. With the proposed easing of lockdown, we can’t stress enough how important it is not to become complacent. The virus is still evident in our communities and we’re now seeing more house to house transmission of the virus rather than workplaces. This is worrying because it spreads more freely in our homes where we might not behave as strictly as we do at work, meaning it’s not so easily contained.

"Help us to help you, to protect each other and to avoid our worst-case scenario plans. "

Here are practical things you can do to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe:

For yourself:

only meet other people in line with government restrictions. While we are in Tier 1, this means meeting no more than six people indoors or outdoors

always wash your hands, wear a mask, keep your distance. Hands, Face, Space

if you are eligible and haven’t already had one, have the flu vaccination because this will help your immunity and protect others. nhs.uk/conditions/flu

if a routine treatment has been postponed please do attend the re-scheduled date when you are given it

For your loved ones:

support anyone vulnerable with shopping or simple care needs

follow the government guidelines when you are together

if you have symptoms, try to isolate from the rest of your household to avoid spreading it further. Clean often any shared spaces, don’t share crockery and try to isolate in a separate room if you can

For your community:

Consider helping others in your street, village or town who are elderly or vulnerable by signing up as a volunteer. Contact 01872 266988 or volunteercornwall.org.uk/coronavirusvolunteer

For the NHS:

help the NHS and care services by supporting anyone who could be discharged from hospital by providing simple care needs while they get back on their feet

choose well – unless you need emergency care, contact your GP or 111 in the first instance

"Looking to the future we are of course all hopeful that a vaccine will help bring this national crisis to an end. Here in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the NHS, your Council, the Police and other agencies are working hard together to get everything ready for a mass vaccination programme, while also maintaining usual services.

"You can help here too if you have experience vaccinating or think you could support the programme.

"Lastly, we’d all like to say thank you to all the key workers, living in your villages and towns, stepping up to the plate right now, above and beyond, outside and alongside their everyday working lives to pull together an amazing operation with a huge breadth - all to protect us. We owe enormous thanks and gratitude to them for the work they are doing.

"And thank you for your support, it really will make the difference to everyone in Cornwall."

The letter is signed by a large group of health officials across Cornwall, including the likes of GPs, the NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group, the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, the Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust and Cornwall Council.

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