The surge of the Omicron variant across the UK has impacted heaviest in London, but we are now beginning to see the wave reach Stoke-on-Trent.
People in Stoke-on-Trent who are yet to have their Covid-19 vaccinations are being encouraged to take advantage of extra capacity across the vaccination programme, with new walk-in clinics now available and thousands of bookable appointments across Staffordshire to get the life-saving jab
For the 7 days to 24 December, the Covid-19 case rate for the city is 906.9 per 100,000. This rapid surge is a 49.6% increase on the previous 7 days.
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones MBE, Director of Adult Social Care, Health Integration and Wellbeing and Director of Public Health said:
“With Omicron cases rising so very rapidly and two doses of the vaccine not providing the strongest level of protection, it’s essential to get a booster and lower your risk of serious illness or hospitalisation.
“Over 600,000 people across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire have now had their booster vaccination.
“This quieter seasonal period, before some workplaces and schools open up again in January, is the perfect opportunity to book an appointment or visit your local vaccination centre to get your Covid-19 jab. Whilst there is a national focus on boosters, for people who have not yet been vaccinated it is never too late to get yours; each vaccine received builds your protection.
“As no further restrictions were announced for England, New Year celebrations may cause cases to increase. Covid-19 is still spreading quickly, but the measures we have in place will help to slow the virus.
“Stoke-on-Trent continues to be one of the most successful areas in the Midlands for the uptake of testing. We must build on this success and continue to take lateral flow tests and help protect others by wearing face coverings in busy outdoor and indoor public spaces.
“As well as getting vaccinated and booster jabs, remember to ‘Flow before you go’. Take a lateral flow test before going out – whether that’s to a New Year party; shopping in the sales; visiting friends or family; going to any crowded or busy place, or before travelling.”
Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that two doses of a Covid vaccine are not enough to stop people becoming unwell from Omicron, but a third booster prevents around 75% of people getting any Covid symptoms.
Anyone in the city who has not had their first or second dose is also encouraged to book an appointment as soon as possible. If you have recently had a positive Covid-19 test you need to wait 28 days before you can have your first, second or booster vaccine.
All eligible people aged 18 and over can use the national booking service or call 119 to make an appointment.
Walk-in vaccination sites can also be found on the NHS website, allowing people to get their jabs without the need for an appointment.
Councillor Abi Brown, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said:
“We are continuing to monitor the coronavirus situation daily and are planning for all eventualities wherever we can. Our top priority is to ensure continuity of the Council’s essential services and to support the NHS for the people of Stoke-on-Trent, particularly as we head into January and the coldest months of the year.
“Since Christmas, we have seen a small rise in staff having to self-isolate, however all the services are coping well. The team looking after the rough sleepers of the city are continuing to provide a 24/7 service. The Council’s contact centre is operating as usual – and our website and social media channels are continually updated with the latest information for residents.
“I am so very proud of all the Council staff, they have been hugely supportive during the pandemic in keeping our essential and frontline services running efficiently.”
To help support critical services, libraries and local centres will not be reopening on 4 January as planned. This allows staff to volunteer to be redeployed in Adult Social Care, Contact Tracing and supporting the Vaccination rollout across Stoke-on-Trent. This temporary closure is being kept under review and the reopening dates for libraries and local centres will be announced in the new year.
The council’s libraries will continue to run a ‘click, call and collect’ service, just as before when previous national restrictions were in place. This means that library members can contact the service by phone or email and we will schedule a collection. The homelink service will continue as this is vital especially around this time of year.
To help support critical services, the following leisure and museum services will not reopen until Monday 17 January:
- New Horizons
- Northwood stadium
- Wallace Centre
- Swimming lessons – schools and private lessons
- Swimming pools inc. aqua classes and sensory swim at Dimensions
- Burslem Gymnastics Club for City of Stoke Gymnastics club – development, full squad and recreation gymnastic classes.
- The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery and Gladstone Pottery Museum
The leisure services staying open are:
- Gym at Dimensions and Fenton Manor (inc. spa)
- Limited class programme
- Access to centres under existing licence or hire agreements by clubs and organisations where no leisure staff are required
- Wheel Chair basketball event on Events on 8 & 9 January
- Dance Event on 16 January
The Public Health team at Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency, which is leading the national Covid-19 response. The demand nationally for PCR testing saw a 30% increase in recent days.
A spokesperson for the UKHSA said: “Appointments for PCR tests are available, but high demand can lead to temporary reduced availability in some areas. More appointments are made available to book every afternoon.
“Testing is playing an integral role in keeping people safe and managing the virus and we’re so grateful to everyone that’s getting tested to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.
"Everyone with symptoms or who is directed to get a PCR test should continue to come forward to get a test delivered to their home or at a test site.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council have received further stocks of Lateral Flow Device testing kits (LFDs) and these are now available at the community testing sites around the city. Lateral Flow Tests pick up the early infection stages of Covid-19, even when you don’t think that you’ve got the virus.
Before Christmas, there had been supply challenges of Lateral Flow Test kits at a national level, and booking a PCR test had on occasion been difficult. We believe that there will be a large resupply of Lateral Flow Tests to pharmacies on 31 December and PCR tests are available. The online national booking site will close from time to time but usually opens again within an hour.
The first Lateral Flow Community Testing sites to reopen in the new year are:
- Christ Church, Tunstall on 3 January (10am-4pm)
- Hanley Town Football Club on 3 January (10am-5pm)
If you have any of the 3 classic symptoms (high temperature, cough, loss of taste/smell) you should book a test at a regional testing centre. People who book a coronavirus test at a regional centre will be tested using PCR and the result will be given in 24-48 hours.
The PCR testing sites in Stoke-on-Trent are located at:
- Stoke City FC south car park (drive through)
- Fenton Manor car park (walk through)
- Synectics Solutions car park (walk through)
National tests can be booked at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119.
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