Coronavirus update 19 August 2021
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A message from Becky Reynolds, Director of Public Health at Bath & North East Somerset Council
Councillor Kevin Guy is on leave this week, so I am pleased to be giving this week’s update.
Firstly, congratulations to pupils and students who recently received their GCSE and A-Level results. This pandemic has been enormously challenging for you and your teachers, managing your education through periods of home schooling and self-isolating. Your determination, strength and resilience should be commended.
As you head into the next phase of your life, do take up the Covid vaccination to help protect yourself, your family, your friends and the wider community.
If you’re 17 and nine months, you can book your vaccine appointment online through the National Booking Service or by calling 119. Alternatively, get your vaccination at the Bath Racecourse walk-in clinic (no need to book) on non-race days. Please check when they are holding race events.
If you’re 16 and 17, you’ll be invited by text or letter to make an appointment through your GP, or you can go straight to a walk-in centre. Vaccination of this age group has got off to a good start with about 10% of 16 and 17-year-olds in our area already vaccinated. Most young people don’t need parental or guardian consent to be vaccinated. Proof of your identity will be checked during the initial screening time, so no formal ID is needed.
NHS England has launched a new online walk-in site finder to help people 16 and over find their nearest centre.
Those aged 12 to 15 who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 or who live with someone at high risk of catching it can also have the vaccine and will be invited by text or telephone shortly. They cannot currently book online or walk-in to a centre. Find out more about who can get a vaccine here.
More info about the coronavirus vaccination programme is available here.
From Monday 16 August, anyone identified as a close contact of a positive case no longer has to self-isolate – providing they have been fully vaccinated (second dose more than 14 days ago) and don’t have Covid-19 symptoms. Anyone under 18 who’s been identified as a close contact of a positive case also no longer needs to self-isolate. Close contacts are still advised to take a PCR test asap – whether or not they’ve been vaccinated. If you test positive you still need to complete 10 days of self-isolation. Further information is available at Gov.uk.
Do look out for our bright green mobile testing van for people without symptoms and pick up a test kit if you see it. It’s important we keep on testing, even if we’ve been double-jabbed as you can still catch and pass the virus. It will be at various locations across the area throughout August and September, offering supervised testing and providing test kits and advice. Find out where it’s going on the website.
Finally, it’s worth saying that we may have a bumpy ride with respiratory viruses over the coming months. Health and care staff across the region are already seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses that have started to circulate out of season, particularly among children, and Covid-19 restrictions may have prevented many young children from picking up natural immunity to many common respiratory illnesses.
Look out for cold-like symptoms in your children, which develop into persistent coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, as well as a loss of appetite and increased irritability. Most cases of RSV are mild and clear up without needing medical intervention, but if your child’s cold-like symptoms get progressively worse call the NHS 111 service. Further information about RSV and other conditions common in young children, is available here. |
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| These are the latest Covid case figures for B&NES – please play your part to drive the number down. |
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Self-isolation removed for double jabbed close contacts
From the start of this week, adults and children who are double jabbed will no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. Instead, those identified as close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases are advised to get a free PCR test as soon as possible.
If you have symptoms, you must take a PCR test and then isolate until you receive your test result. Call 119 or visit here to book a test. Find out about Covid-19 symptoms here.
Appointments at PCR test sites are refreshed throughout the day so please try again if you haven't been successful in booking on your first attempt.
You can also order a home test kit to be delivered to your home. There's more information about claiming financial support if you've been asked to self-isolate here. |
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16 and 17-year-olds now eligible for vaccine
Walk-in clinics are now available for 16 and 17-year-olds at Bath Racecourse on non-race days. You don't need to book, but please check for when events are being held. Doses of both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are available. And First bus is continuing to offer free journeys for anyone travelling to the Racecourse to get vaccinated.
For other walk-in vaccine clinics, check the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group website.
The website also has more information on the vaccine rollout, and details of all local health and care services. |
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Check out our mobile testing van
Our bright green mobile testing van will be out across the district offering supervised lateral flow testing for those without symptoms and COVID-19 test kits. Below is where we'll be heading this week. All times 9am-5pm unless stated.
- Saturday 21 August: Morrison's, London Road, Bath
- Sunday 22 August: Royal Victoria Park, Bath
- Monday 23 August: Sladebrook Church, Englishcombe Lane, Bath
- Tuesday 24 August: Radstock Working Men’s Club (9am-1pm) and Paulton Village Hall (2-5pm)
- Wednesday 25 August: Twerton High Street
- Thursday 26 August: Lidl, Lower Bristol Road, Bath (9am-12pm) and Entry Hill, Bath (12-5pm)
- Friday 27 August: Morrison's, London Road, Bath
- Saturday 28 August: South Road car park, Midsomer Norton
- Sunday 29 August: Guildhall Car Park, Bath
You can find out full details about where it's going and when ahead of time by visiting the council website. No booking necessary – just turn up and have a supervised test or collect LFTs to take home. Trained outreach workers will be aboard the van, so people can also ask any questions about testing, support to self-isolate, vaccination or other COVID-19 queries.
You can also pick up test kits from our libraries in: Timsbury, Radstock, Bishop Sutton, Weston, Midsomer Norton, Keynsham and also Bath One Stop Shop. |
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Current Covid-19 guidance
Despite case numbers decreasing, coronavirus remains a serious health risk. It’s important that we all stay cautious and help protect yourself and others. Check the latest government guidance here.
Let's look after each other. Covid-19 hasn't gone away. |
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Council “alarm” over University of Bristol plans
The council has expressed “alarm” at reports that the University of Bristol is planning to house first-year students in its area. |
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Council ready to support Afghan resettlement
The council has said it “stands ready” to work with central government to help plans to resettle vulnerable Afghan refugees into our local area. |
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Council approves funding for new Village Hall
The completion of a new village hall in Batheaston which will provide a flexible space for the community to enjoy has been supported by £100,000 in grant funding from the council. |
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Showcase your project at Climate Festival
Planning for the first Climate & Biodiversity Festival is ongoing and the programme of events is slowly taking shape. |
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Hear about regeneration plans in Keynsham
Residents in the Keynsham area are being invited to hear more about local planning, transport and regeneration plans at the AGM of their Connecting Communities Forum tonight (Thursday 19 August). |
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"Further, faster” response to climate report
Further and faster action at local, national and international levels is needed following the ‘code red’ report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, says Bath & North East Somerset’s leading councillor on climate change. |
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Planning guidance to help save energy
Updated planning guidance to help residents and businesses in Bath and North East Somerset improve energy efficiency in their homes and buildings to play their part in tackling the climate and ecological emergency is going out for consultation. |
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Work under way at Chew Valley Lake
Work on a £1.5m scheme to build a new section of 2.7km walking and cycling trail around Chew Valley Lake kicks off on Monday 23 August. |
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Serious respiratory illnesses in young children
Parents in Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to recognise the early signs warning of potentially serious respiratory illnesses that have started to circulate out of season. |
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Hunt on for junior journalists at literature festival
Bath's Children's Literature Festival is looking for three talented young people to win one of three places as Junior Journalists at this year’s festival. |
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Council meeting calendar
Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings. |
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Latest Government guidance
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Follow us online
You can follow us on twitter, facebook and instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube, read the latest releases on our newsroom and if you sign up on nextdoor we are there too.
For updates on our services visit our website. |
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Future Bright
Future Bright offers free careers coaching, training and support to help residents develop the skills and confidence needed to take the next step, with careers coaches helping you develop a personalised action plan and make it a reality. You can access the service if you are:
- aged 18 and over
- in paid work (this includes zero hours and self-employed) and are receiving benefits or tax credits
- or they are earning less than £9.50 an hour
- live in Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire or Bristol
To find out more and get in touch: www.futurebright.org.uk or call 01225 395555 for a chat with a member of the team. |
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Live Well B&NES adults
If you need mental health and wellbeing support go to Every Mind Matters and there’s also information on these pages:
Bathnes 1BD provides information, activities and support for families and children, including mental health and emotional wellbeing. We also have a similar page for adults needing support or care, on Live Well adults.
You can call:
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust 0300 303 1320
- Community Wellbeing Hub 0300 247 0050
Bath Mind Breathing Space 01225 983130 breathingspace@bathmind.org.uk |
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Do you look after someone else?
If you support someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older, Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre is here for you.
Their friendly team will listen to any concerns you have, offer practical advice and access to free wellbeing activities to ensure you’re happy and healthy in your caring role. Contact our freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email us. We’re available 8:15am-12pm, every weekday. |
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Support available from the Community Wellbeing Hub
Anybody who is a resident of Bath and North East Somerset can benefit from support from the Community Wellbeing Hub, including those people who are isolating due to testing positive for Covid-19 or being in contact with someone who has Covid-19.
Originally a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council; Virgin Care; the 3SG; Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group; and other third sector organisation representatives, the team can offer a range of support services such as mental health, returning home from hospital, income, housing and benefits advice, emergency food, as well as lifestyle services for help with stopping smoking, getting active or losing weight.
Residents who want to get back to work or change career can now get tailored advice on training and upskilling from a new Employment and Skills Pod. The Pod has been set up by the council and its partners to help people identify the type of job they could do, refer them to training opportunities and gain work experience.
To contact the Hub:
Phone: 0300 247 0050.
Email: CWHBanes@virgincare.co.uk
Website: http://communitywellbeinghub.co.uk
Text: 07870 868368
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am until 5pm
If you need to contact the council about its services please ring Council Connect on 01225 394041 or email Council_connect@bathnes.gov.uk |
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Domestic abuse
Southside provides help to people who live in Bath & North East Somerset who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse. The working hours are 9-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9-4pm Fridays. Local support services can be found here. |
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Sight loss support
Sight Support West of England provides emotional and practical support to help people adjust to living with sight loss. Since lockdown this has been either online or over the phone. Now following careful planning, some covid-secure face-to-face support sessions are resuming on an appointment only basis.
Your Community Sight Loss Adviser will be available at Manvers Street Baptist Church, Bath on the first Wednesday each month and at Midsomer Norton Town Hall on the 4th Thursday each month.
To find out more, or make an appointment please call 0117 3224885 or email For more information on the full range of services visit www.sightsupportwest.org.uk
For more useful information visit the RNIB website: www.rnib.org.uk/ |
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Local agencies and useful links
We have been working closely with local agencies and if you would like to find out more about their work please look on their website: RUH, Avon and Somerset Police, Curo, and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG.
- Public Health England updates a daily dashboard: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ It includes deaths that have occurred in all settings where there has been a positive COVID-19 test, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.
- Latest information on coronavirus: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS information on coronavirus: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ |
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Tune in
Local radio is a great way of keeping up to date with essential information, if you don’t already you should tune into BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Somerset or BBC Radio Wiltshire. |
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Somer Valley FM covers Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and surrounding villages including Farrington, Paulton, Peasedown, Coleford and Stratton.
Broadcast online and on 97.5fm you can contact at studio@somervalleyfm.co.uk or call 01761 411 755 |
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| Bath Radio is a community radio station which has been operating as a hospital radio station for the past 50 years. It now broadcasts to the wider Bath community. Listen online. |
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| Radio Bath provides local news and information, promotes the city and supports its businesses, charities and community organisations. |
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Keynsham’s KTCRfm 105.8FM is now broadcasting 24/7.
KTCRfm covers Keynsham, Saltford, Hanham, Bitton, Warmley, Clutton, Timsbury, the Chew Valley and as far south as Temple Cloud. East to the eastern edge of Bath. North across South Gloucestershire to the M4 corridor and west into many parts of Bristol. |
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BA1 Radio have been established for a year in Bath and operate from a studio in Southside Youth Hub, broadcasting twelve hours of shows every weekday, focusing on Bath and the local community, including hourly news reports.
website: www.BA1Radio.org
call: 01225 941 080
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