Coronavirus update 22 July 2021
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A message from Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Hello,
Covid case rates in Bath & North East Somerset are above the England average and among the highest in the South West. They are rising rapidly and with the government’s lifting of restrictions they are expected to climb further.
The seven-day rate per 100,000 population in B&NES was 715 as of 16 July, and the comparable England rate on same day was 510.9 per 100,000. There were 12 confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the RUH at 8:00am on 22 July, and there have been four notified Covid-19 deaths from the RUH this month.
Yesterday we issued this statement outlining the impact on our services as Covid numbers continue to rise. It is important you are aware of the strain the council, like so many public and private sector organisations, is under. I want to reassure you we will continue to prioritise services for our most vulnerable residents, but warn you that we may have to take short-term action to reduce some service as we focus resources where they are needed most. This is happening with our waste service.
To play your part please remember to wear a face covering if entering council buildings unless you are exempt, remain cautious and look after each other by:
- getting double-jabbed
- getting tested if you have symptoms
- self-isolating if you test positive
- taking lateral flow tests regularly
- washing your hands regularly
- wearing a face covering in crowded areas
- having good ventilation in buildings
- meeting up outdoors where possible
All this helps each of us reduce the risk to ourselves and others.
Cabinet met on Tuesday, where recommendations for Bath city centre security, on street parking permit charges, investment in neighbourhood services, our waste infrastructure and modernisation programme, as well as a commercial estate review and finance reports were approved. I would like to thank all the speakers who attended and made their statements.
Tonight council meets under new arrangements as a result of the pandemic. Although social distancing restrictions have been lifted, a cautious approach has been adopted to keep councillors and staff safe. As a consequence, seating in the council chamber is restricted. To enable all members to take part in debate an informal Zoom council meeting was held yesterday and you can watch it here. A note of decisions from the informal meeting will be passed onto a quorate-only council meeting held in the council chamber, which you can also watch here.
We will be listening to residents in the Chew Valley area on Monday, when the Chew Valley Area Forum meets on Zoom. The forum will be discussing the action being taken locally to tackle the Climate Emergency. Please go along to have your say.
Have a good weekend. |
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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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What is the current guidance about Covid-19?
At the start of this week, most legal restrictions on COVID-19 were lifted. However, coronavirus remains a serious health risk. It’s important that we all stay cautious and help protect yourself and others. Government guidance encourages us to continue doing the following:
- Meet up outside or if you’re indoors open windows or doors if you have visitors.
- If you think you might have COVID-19 symptoms, take a PCR test and stay home.
- Wear face coverings in crowded places to help protect others.
- Check in with the NHS COVID-19 app when you’re out.
- Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds with soap.
- Get vaccinated if you are 18 or over.
Let's look after each other. COVID-19 hasn't gone away. |
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Walk-in appointments still available
Bath Racecourse continues to offer walk-in vaccination appointments with the clinic offering first and second doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, and open between 8am-8pm. If you've had a first dose – don’t delay booking or seeking your second dose, as long as there's been an 8-week gap between doses. If you have a second dose appointment already booked for more than 8 weeks, you can cancel it and either re-book (there is plenty of capacity) or cancel and attend a walk-in clinic.
If you're travelling to the Racecourse, you can reach the site with a free bus (the number 32) from Bath Bus Station, which runs on the hour every hour up to the Racecourse and every hour at 15 minutes past the hour on the return back to Bath. Please bear in mind that the Racecourse will be closed when they're holding events or race meetings – check the website for more details.
Being vaccinated does not just protect you – it also protects everyone around you. So please do not delay booking an appointment or attending a walk-in clinic.
Visit www.bswccg.nhs.uk for more information on the vaccine rollout, and details of all local health and care services.
Find out more about who can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
For local information go to the BSW CCG website.
This leaflet tells you what to expect after you have had your vaccination. If you need a second dose of vaccine, make sure you arrange your next appointment |
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COVID-19 vaccination: worried about having your second dose of AstraZeneca?
Information for people eligible for COVID-19 vaccination who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine and have concerns about having the second dose. |
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Any Covid-19 symptoms ‒ you must take a PCR test
Please do not take a rapid flow test if you have Covid-19 symptoms. 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.
If you're identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive, you are now also advised to take a PCR test, even if you don’t have any symptoms. This is to help quickly identify additional cases and help identify variants. You must continue to self-isolate for 10 days even if your test is negative – as you could still be incubating the virus.
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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Regular testing for those without symptoms
Around one in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms. That's why it's important we all get into the habit of regular, twice-weekly rapid testing.
Taking a rapid test is easy. You can collect a test kit from most local pharmacies or you can order a test kit for delivery to your home. You can also visit one of our rapid test and collect hubs in Bath, Keynsham or Midsomer Norton:
- 3 Burton Street, Bath, BA1 1BN
- Ashton Way car park, Ashton Way Keynsham, BS31 2UF
- South Road car park, South Road, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DB
Book at test here. You can turn up without an appointment, but please do check our website for opening times of local rapid test sites. |
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Bath hailed as one of World’s Greatest Places
Bath has been named as one of the World’s Greatest Places in TIME’s annual list. |
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Helping couples’ wedding dreams come true
Almost 600 couples have made a lifelong commitment to each other at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s beautiful wedding venues since lockdown restrictions were eased in April. |
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Covid impact on council’s capacity warning
With Covid case rates in Bath & North East Somerset among the highest in the South West, council leaders today issued a warning about the impact on key services facing the authority. |
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Suspension of garden waste collections
A national shortage of drivers and a sharp rise in the number of recycling and waste staff in self-isolation is affecting garden waste collections in Bath and North East Somerset. |
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Remain cautious as restrictions are lifted
As infection rates rise in Bath and North East Somerset residents, businesses and visitors are being encouraged to remain cautious and look after each other following the Government’s planned lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. |
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Council leaders press for powers to reach net zero
The leader and deputy leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council have joined other local and regional leaders to call on the Government for more devolved powers and the resources needed to deliver net zero for our area. |
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Budget position ensures continued investment
Cabinet reports on council’s finances shows early action to deal with pandemic losses brought finances back on track, delivering a balanced budget for 2020/21. |
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New arrangements for July Council meeting
Bath & North East Somerset’s July Council meeting will see a change in format due to the pandemic. |
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Area Forum focuses on Climate Emergency
Residents in the Chew Valley are being invited to learn more about the action being taken locally to tackle the Climate Emergency at the AGM of their area Connecting Communities Forum. |
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Annual Canvass
This year’s canvass starts on Monday 26 July. Please look out for an email inviting you to check and if necessary update your electoral information on our dedicated secure portal. More information can be found here. |
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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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NHS Test and Trace: what to do if you are contacted
An overview of NHS Test and Trace, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive. |
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Getting help with daily activities outside your home during coronavirus
If you have a disability or are more vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), this guidance outlines some voluntary extra steps that you and those helping you can take to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19. |
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for people in England with animals
Advice for pet owners, livestock and animal keepers on looking after the welfare of animals and people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This advice applies to England only. |
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Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators
This guidance sets out information for the public and sport providers on how to organise and participate in grassroots sport and physical activity as safely as possible. |
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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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