HEALTH leaders in Somerset are warning of rising infection rates and offering advice on staying safe this Christmas. Somerset remains in Tier 2 but Somerset County Council (SCC) said seven-day rates in the county have jumped from 86.8 cases per 100,000 people between November 30 and December 6, up to 123.1 in the week ending December 13. With restrictions are being relaxed between December 23 and 27 so that three households can meet to celebrate Christmas together, SCC is urging people to be cautious and recognise the risks. Where possible, people are being encouraged to keep it small, keep it short, keep it local and think of the vulnerable.
Somerset health leaders urge residents to minimise risk of Covid spread this Christmas
Public health leaders in Somerset are warning of rising infection rates as they offer advice on staying safe this Christmas following this week’s announcement that the Burnham-On-Sea area will remain in Tier 2.
Seven-day rates in the county have jumped from 86.8 cases per 100,000 people in the week to December 6th, up to 123.1 in the week ending December 13th.
The planned relaxation of Covid rules for Christmas has been scrapped by the Prime Minister for large parts of south-east England and cut to just Christmas Day for the rest of England, Scotland and Wales.
Berrow Medical Centre gets first local Coronavirus vaccinations underway
The Mulberry Centre at Berrow Medical Centre is the first local site to start vaccinating some of the area’s most vulnerable residents for Coronavirus from this week.
People who have been identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) as the highest priority will be invited first, including over-80s and health and care staff.
This first wave of community GP-led sites follows the launch of the NHS vaccination programme in hospital hubs, such as Yeovil District Hospital, and is part of a range of ways that people will access vaccination services across Somerset.
Coronavirus Support Group issues appeal for volunteers as Berrow vaccinations start
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Coronavirus Community Support group has issued an appeal for volunteers to help with the Covid vaccinations programme at Berrow Medical Centre.
The group is helping to provide marshalls in the car park to ensure there is a smooth flow of visitors coming and going from this week onwards.
Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here last week that Berrow Medical Centre is to be the central location for the start of local vaccinations, ahead of wider vaccinations starting soon.
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Coronavirus Community Support group’s Ian Jefferies says: “After a very difficult year for everyone, we are delighted to have been asked to assist with the Covid-19 vaccination programme which is due to roll out in our area next week.”