Worcester care home "feels more protected" against Covid heading into winter compared to last year
The Prime Minister laid out his Winter Covid Plan yesterday
A care home in Worcester says it feels "more protected" heading into winter compared to last year.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister has set out the government's autumn and winter plan for managing Covid.
It's set out a renewed focus on the vaccine roll out which will see the over 50s, health workers and the clinically vulnerable offered a third booster vaccine in England.
This will be supported by testing public health advice, and a world-leading variant surveillance system.
Last year. the care sector became overwhelmed after a huge surge in coronavirus cases locally and nationally.
The government say they're "preparing for the worst case scenario" as we head into the winter period, which is typically when there's an increase in transmission of viruses.
Dulcie Link, manager of Red Hill Care Home in Worcester, say: "I do feel more protected this year compared to last.
"We do lots of testing here at Red Hill. Staff get Later Flow Tests twice a week, a PCR test once a week and our residents are tested every 28 days.
"If we have any new admissions I always make sure they're doubled jabbed and if they're not, district nurses come in and vaccinate the resident if they so wish.
The booster programme will get underway next week which will see third doses offered to 30 million people.
Meanwhile, the Health Secretary Sajid Javid's refused to rule out another lockdown – saying the nature of the pandemic means we can’t ever be certain.
Dulcie added: "I'm really pleased about this booster programme. I've already asked the local pharmacy not to only do the flu jabs this year but also the booster jabs for staff.
"Luckily for me all my staff have had both doses of the vaccine and obviously for residents it is their choice.
"But it's just reassurance really so we can get through winter and into the spring."