Covid-19 Information

The Parish Council have created this page so that useful information can be stored in an easily remembered place.

Friday 27th August 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Make staying safe part of your bank holiday plans. With cases of Covid continuing to rise in our county make sure that you have all the essentials for a safe summer bank holiday. Get out in the fresh air or let fresh air indoors if meeting others; take regular rapid tests; and if you haven’t already – get vaccinated! 
• If you are 16 or 17 years old get your first Covid vaccination. If you have already been invited for your jab please follow the instructions to book an appointment or look out for opportunities to attend a local drop-in clinic. Vaccination centres continue to offer first and second dose vaccinations to everyone over 16 years old.
• Long Covid – a message from young people to young people. In a new series of NHS videos, three previously fit and health young people have shared their stories of suffering debilitating long Covid symptoms in a bid to urge young people to get double jabbed.
• By law, anyone working or entering a care home (other than family, friends and essential care givers) must have had both doses of the Covid vaccination by 11 November. To meet this deadline they must have booked and received their first dose by September 16 2021. This will allow for the second jab in time for when the regulations come into force. 
• Get more from your PCR test. It is still a legal requirement for people who have symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate and book a PCR test.
• Now, everyone aged 18 years and older can have a free antibody test. Antibody test help to improve our understanding of immunity against COVID-19 from vaccination and infection.  If your PCR test result is positive you may be selected for antibody testing. 
• Although no longer a legal requirement, face coverings, social distancing and regular handwashing remain effective ways to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats

Cases

In week 34 (Monday 16th August – Sunday 22nd August) there were 2,308 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 492 were in Gloucester
• 480 were in Cheltenham
• 480 were in Stroud
• 302 were in Tewkesbury
• 283 were in Cotswold
• 271 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 364.0 in Gloucestershire, 484.5 in the South West, and 326.6 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

In week 32 (Saturday 7^th August – Friday 13^th August) there was 1 death mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 1.1% of all deaths, this compares with 3 (2.4% of all deaths) in Week 31.

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 21^st  August they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate. (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.     

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 622 (3 new).

Friday 20th August 2021:

Key messages from GCC

• As of Monday (16 August), rules on self-isolation have changed. This means that anyone who has been fully vaccinated (received both Covid jabs), does not have to isolate after being in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you are not fully vaccinated, you still need to self-isolate if you are a close contact. However, even if fully vaccinated, you should still isolate if you have tested positive yourself or if you have Covid symptoms.
• Around 75% of 18-29 year olds in Gloucestershire have had their first Covid jab. Vaccination sites and drop-in clinics continue to offer first and second doses of the Covid vaccine to everyone aged 18 years and over. If you have already been invited for your jab please follow the instructions to book an appointment or look out for opportunities to attend a local drop-in clinic.
• Test regularly and help keep your loved ones safe this summer. You can access your free rapid test by collecting a kit from a local pharmacy to take home, taking a test on-site at a local pharmacy, ordering a test kit online to use at home or picking up kit from our outreach team. Follow our social media accounts to find out where they are each day. 
• Meeting up with friends and family outside also helps to prevent the spread of Covid as fresh air helps blow the virus particles away. If you do have visitors to your home, open windows and doors to let the fresh air in.
• Although no longer a legal requirement, face coverings, social distancing and regular handwashing remain effective ways to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats

Cases

• In week 33 (Monday 9th August – Sunday 15^th August) there were 1,966 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• • 523 were in Gloucester
  • 410 were in Cheltenham
  • 373 were in Stroud
  • 260 were in Tewkesbury
  • 218 were in Cotswold
  • 182 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 302.0 in Gloucestershire, 347.8 in the South West, and 305.7 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID-19

In week 31 (Saturday 31  July – Friday 6 August) there was 1 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 0.9% of all deaths, this compares with 0 (0.0% of all deaths) in Week 30

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 14  August they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.  (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.     

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 619 (5 new).

Friday 13th August 2021:

Friday 6th August 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination is still our best chance of protecting ourselves from the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 and those people who are most at risk from the virus. Vaccination sites continue to offer first and second doses of the Covid vaccine to everyone aged 18 years and over.  If you have already been invited for your jab please follow the instructions to book an appointment or look out for opportunities to attend a local drop-in clinic
• Around three in four (75 per cent) 18-29 year olds in Gloucestershire have already had their first Covid jab. Mr Noel Peter, Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explains why younger people should get the jab, even if they think they are at lower risk from the virus.
• The NHS in Gloucestershire would like to reassure people aged 16 and 17 that they will receive an invite from local NHS services to book in for their vaccination soon, there is no need for them to contact their GP surgery at this time. This follows the announcement from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that 16 and 17 year olds will be eligible for a first dose of Pfizer.
• There is new mandatory vaccination for care home staff guidance published by the Government. We are currently working through this guidance for local implementation.
• Covid is still with us and you could be passing it on without knowing. Testing twice-weekly if you don’t have symptoms helps to protect others around you. Collect your free rapid test from one of over 100 pharmacies county-wide; take a test on-site at your local pharmacy; order a test kit online to use at home. Pick up kit from our outreach team  – follow our social media accounts to find out where they are each day.
• Secondary school pupils who have been testing regularly whilst at school are encouraged to keep going throughout the summer holidays.
• The test, trace and isolate steps will continue to play an important role in managing the virus and reduce the risk of it mutating and new variants developing. It remains a legal requirement, to self-isolate if you are Covid positive and until at least 16 August, for all contacts of a positive case to isolate. If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid you are still encourage to get a PCR test.
• The public is being urged to continue to use the NHS COVID-19 app to ‘check in’ as changes made from Monday 2 August will result in fewer contacts being advised to self-isolate following a close contact with a positive case. 
• Meeting up with friends and family outside will also help to prevent the spread of Covid as fresh air helps blow the virus particles away. If you do stay at home open windows and doors to let the fresh air in.
• Although no longer a legal requirement, face coverings, social distancing and regular handwashing remain effective ways to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats

Cases in week 31 (Monday 26th July – Sunday 1^st August) there were 1621 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 395 were in Cheltenham
• 383 were in Gloucester
• 306 were in Stroud
• 233 were in Tewkesbury
• 158 were in Cotswold
• 146 were in Forest of Dean

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 253.2 in Gloucestershire, 307.1 in the South West, and 280.4 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 29 (Saturday 17^th July – Friday 23rd July) there was 2 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 1.06% of all deaths, this compares with 1 (0.9% of all deaths) in Week 28

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 31st  July they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.     

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 614 (1 new).

In the week ending the 30^th July there were 0 deaths from COVID19 in care homes this was in line with the previous 18 weeks when the CQC data showed 0 deaths mentioning COVID19.

Friday 30th July 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination is still our best chance of protecting ourselves from the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 and those people who are most at risk from the virus.
• Rapid testing is still really important to help slow the spread of infection. Twice-weekly testing gives you the best chance of stopping Covid in it’s tracks. More than 100 pharmacies across the county are set up as collection points for FREE rapid COVID-19 tests. You can also visit a local pharmacy to take a test on site. 
• Secondary school pupils who have been testing regularly whilst at school are encouraged to keep going throughout the summer holidays. Testing regularly even though you have no symptoms is an important way to control the virus.
• If you can’t meet friends and family outside, remember to open windows and doors to let plenty of fresh air in.
• Ill or injured, but not life threatening? Visit NHS 111 or call 111. The 111 phone service can book you into the right NHS service for you e.g. a number of community minor injury & illness units across Glos are open ‘til 8pm
• The test, trace and isolate steps will continue to play an important role in managing the virus and reduce the risk of it mutating and new variants developing.
• It remains a legal requirement, to self-isolate if you are Covid positive and until at least 16 August, for all contacts of a positive case to isolate. If you
• are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid you are still encourage to get a PCR test.
• Although no longer a legal requirement, face coverings, social distancing and regular handwashing remain effective ways to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats:

Cases

In week 30 (Monday 19th July – Sunday 25^th July) there were 1758 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 473 were in Gloucester
• 365 were in Stroud
• 320 were in Cheltenham
• 205 were in Forest of Dean
• 201 were in Tewkesbury
• 194 were in Cotswold

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 289.7 in Gloucestershire, 360.6 in the South West, and 370.9 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 28 (Saturday 10^th July – Friday 16th July) there was 0 death mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 0.0% of all deaths, this compares with 1 (0.9% of all deaths) in Week 27

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 24^th  July they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 613 (1 new).

Friday 23rd July 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• It’s important to remember that Step 4 is the next phase in the Government’s roadmap, but it’s not the last in overcoming Covid. Cases continue to rise across the county and people are encouraged to move forward but with caution.
• Getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination is still our best chance of protecting ourselves from the most severe symptoms and those people who are most at risk from the virus. There are lots of drop-in clinics taking place across the county and a new dedicated webpage has been set up to share details of the next available clinics.
• The Rapid Testing Team have been out and about in the county this week handing out kits and talking to people about the importance of regulars rapid testing to help stop Covid in it’s tracks. You can find out where they are each day via the council’s social media feeds.

• You can also pick up rapid test kit from more than 100 pharmacies county-wide  with many now offering on-site testing – this is especially good for people who have never done a rapid test using a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) before.
• It remains a legal requirement, to self-isolate if you are Covid positive and until at least 16 August, for all contacts of a positive case to isolate. If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid, you are still encouraged to get a PCR test.
• Although no longer a legal requirement, face coverings, social distancing alongside regular handwashing and increase ventilation remain effective ways to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid.
• As an organisation, we will be gradually bringing staff back into our buildings and will continue to ask them and visitors to wear a face covering when moving around. We will also continue with social distancing for the comfort and safety of everyone. We will also continue to ask visitors to check in’ using the NHS App.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats

Cases in week 29 (Monday 12th  July – Sunday 18^th July) there were 2577 confirmed cases of COVID19.  Of these  cases:

• 647 were in Gloucester
• 518 were in Stroud
• 408 were in Cheltenham
• 404 were in Forest of Dean
• 302 were in Tewkesbury
• 298 were in Cotswold

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change.

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 395.8 in Gloucestershire, 504.2 in the South West, and 517.9 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

•  In week 27 (Saturday 3rd June – Friday 9th July) there was 1 death mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 0.9% of all deaths, this compares with 0 (0.0% of all deaths) in Week 26

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 17^th  July they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 613 (1 new).

Friday 16th July 2021:

Friday 9th July 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Subject to confirmation next Monday 12 July, England will move into Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap on Monday 19 July. This means we will move away from legal restrictions including: limits on numbers of people who can meet up indoors and outside, wearing face coverings and social distancing. 
• Test and trace will continue and people will still need to isolate if they test positive – with some contact isolation, such as in schools set to stop. Contingency plans will remain in place in case there are changes to the situation, for example during the winter months.
• Making sure you have had both COVID-19 vaccinations is crucial. Vaccines have saved thousands of lives and continue to prove effective against variants such as Delta. Vaccinations are being offered to all over 18s in England. The interval for second jabs for the over 40s has already been reduced from 12 to eight weeks and following the Prime Minister’s announcement this week, under 40s will also have their jab brought forward, with booster vaccinations set to be rolled out to the most vulnerable. Your GP will be in touch as soon as it’s your turn. 
• The Department for Transport has announced that whilst the red travel list will remain those who are double vaccinated will not have to isolate on return from countries on the amber list.
• A new walk-through coronavirus (COVID-19)  testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments at Coronation Square, Edinburgh Place (GL51 7RG) in Cheltenham, as part of the government’s drive to continue to improve the accessibility of COVID-19 testing for local communities. The new site is situated so it is easily accessible without a car. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. The government is committed to making it even easier to get tested and to reducing the time it takes to receive test results.
• Free, twice-weekly rapid testing is available to everyone without symptoms. Getting tested even though you have no symptoms will be critical to control the virus as society reopens, including the spread of variants. Many more pharmacies in the county are offering on-site testing, which is especially good for people who haven’t taken a rapid test before or want some support to do it. All locations, including kit collection points can be found on the NHS Finder Map.
• Washing your hands, keep your distance and wearing a face covering in busy areas are still the best ways of protecting yourself and others from catching and spreading COVID-19.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats

Cases

In week 26 (Monday 28^th June- Sunday 4^th July) there were 1490 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 445 were in Gloucester
• 290 were in Cheltenham
• 254 were in Stroud
• 248 were in Tewkesbury
• 149 were in Cotswold
• 104 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change.

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 226.0 in Gloucestershire, 190.3 in the South West, and 245.0 in England⁹.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

In week 25 (Saturday 19th June – Friday 25th June) there was 0 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 0.0% of all deaths, this compares with 1 (1.0% of all deaths) in Week 24

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 3rd  July they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate. (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority) 

*Please the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 612 (0 new).

Deaths in Care Homes: 406 (0 new)

Friday 2nd July 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• As expected, as lockdown restrictions have been eased and people have started to mix more, so has Covid. Cases are going up across the country – with some areas, including Gloucestershire, seeing more rapid growth.  The majority of cases in the county are in younger people aged 10-29 years old – mostly as a result of community transmission – but we are seeing outbreaks in schools and places of work which are being well managed.
• To date, we have seen relatively low rates in Gloucestershire and across the south west. This is good news but it could also explain why our cases are rising more quickly than in some other areas with less people having gained a level of immunity from some exposure to the virus. Add to that, we are testing more people than ever before!
• Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others. All adults aged over 18 years can now get a their vaccine, with the second dose for over 40s being accelerated from 12 to eight weeks in between. One dose of the vaccine offers good levels of protection, but to get maximum protection everyone must get a second dose. 
• Three local GP-led vaccination sites are holding an additional ‘drop-in’ service this weekend in the Stroud, Cirencester and Gloucester areas – for anyone over the age of 18 who has yet to take up the offer of their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Everyone must continue with regular rapid COVID-19 testing, even if they have been vaccinated. 
• Anyone with symptoms should self-isolate immediately and get tested – there is help and support available for things such as self-isolation payments. If you have been told to stay at home and self-isolate because you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid you should now get a PCR test – even if you don’t have symptoms. You must continue to self-isolate for the full ten days even if your PCR result is negative!

• And remember to:

– Wash your hands well and often

– Wear a face covering where required

– Keep your distance (remember the two metre rule)

– Get out in the fresh air or if you are staying inside let lots of fresh air in

– Limit how many people you meet up with – stick to six or two households inside and up to 30 outside – still remembering that two metre rule!

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats

Tewkesbury Borough Council: 
Situation report:
• Cases are continuing to rise locally. Nationally, the rate per 100k is 169. In Gloucestershire, the rate per 100k is 181.
• The R-rate for the south west is between 1.3 – 1.7. Nationally, it is 1.2 – 1.4.
• There has been a sharp rise in cases in Tewkesbury Borough – the rate for the borough is 268 per 100k (an increase of 119% between 18 – 24 June).
• The highest case rate in the county is in Tewkesbury West and Twyning (at Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) level) – the area currently has 59 cases and a rate per 100k of 515.4.
• Despite the significant increase in number of cases in the last 21 days, there are low numbers in hospital and intensive care, as of 28 June there were 14 admitted patients.
• Vaccinations: 84.8% of all adults in the county have received their first vaccination and 93.6% of JVC groups 1-9.

Service delivery:

High street recovery:

•Tewkesbury High Streets Heritage Action Zone officially launched this week. A press release has been issued to promote this.

•An action plan for the Welcome Back Fund -which acts as an extension to the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund and helps us to create and promote a safe environment for local trade and tourism -has been submitted to the Government for approval –we are still awaiting sign-off on this.

•We are continuing to promote the ‘Let’s Spring Back’ campaign –which encourages people to return to the borough’s high streets and shop locally. Three videos have been produced to promote local high streets on social media–the first of which was shared yesterday about Winchcombe retailers welcoming customers back safely. A new campaign, which will continue the ‘shop local’ message over the summer, will be launched in the next month.

Property and asset management:

•The property team is preparing to reopen the Public Services Centre to the public –this will be by appointment-only. This will be communicated and promoted in due course and is, of course, subject to any government restrictions.

Friday 25th June 2021:

Key messages

• Whilst, thankfully, the number of Gloucestershire residents getting really ill or sadly dying from Covid is now much lower, the numbers of infections across the county is going up. Now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal – we must keep working together to keep cases down so that we can move to a more normal way of life as soon as possible
• Continue to work from home where you can, stick to meeting outdoors in the fresh air whenever possible (up to 30 people), limit the number of people you meet with indoors (up to six people or two households), wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering where necessary and continue to social distance. 
• Get both doses of your COVID-19 vaccination when invited. Vaccines are the best way to protect people from coronavirus and have saved thousands of lives. Vaccinated people are far less likely to get Covid with symptoms and are even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from it. One dose of the vaccine offer good levels of protection, but to get maximum protection everyone must get a second dose. 
• All adults aged over 18 years are now eligible for their Covid vaccination. Second doses for all over 40s have been accelerated by reducing the time between doses from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. When it’s your turn, you will be invited by your GP – there is no need to contact your doctor or go out of county for your jab.
• New analysis by Public Health England (PHE) shows for the first time that two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant. The analysis suggests the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 96 per cent effective and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 92 per cent effective against hospitalisation after both doses.
• Get your free, rapid COVID-19 test. Rapid tests are for people with no symptoms – they can help us detect cases of Covid that we might not otherwise know about, so that quick action can be taken to prevent the virus spreading There are more than 100 pharmacies county-wide where you can pick up your free rapid tests to use at home. Some pharmacies have now come on board to offer on site testing too – on site testing is good for people who want to get used to taking the tests first before they do it at home. 
• If you have been told to stay at home and self-isolate because you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 you should now get a PCR test – even if you don’t have symptoms. You must continue to self-isolate for the full ten days even if your PCR result is negative!

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats

Friday 18th June 2021:

Key messages

• On Monday 14 June, Government announced that plans to further unlock restrictions will be paused for four weeks. This means that the majority of the current restrictions will remain in place until 19 July, including: social distancing; working from home where you can; and limits on the numbers of people who can meet indoors (up to six people or two households) or up to 30 people outdoors. There will be some exceptions to the current rules. 
• By the end of this week, all adults aged over 18 years will be eligible for their Covid vaccination. At the same time, following the national announcement people over the age of 40 should have their second dose brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks. When it’s your turn, you will be invited by your GP – there is no need to contact your doctor or go out of county for your jab. 
• You can collect your free, rapid COVID-19 test kits from one of five libraries located in and around Gloucester City. The libraries include: Gloucester City, Hucclecote, Longlevens, Churchdown and Quedgeley. Please check opening hours as these will vary between each site. There are also more than 100 pharmacies county-wide where you can pick up your free rapid tests, with some pharmacies starting to come on board to offer onsite testing. 
• Self isolate, this means not going to school, work or to the shops, and book a Covid test, if you have any of the main Covid symptoms. These are: a high temperature, a new and continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. If you have been told to stay at home and self-isolate because you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 you should now get a PCR test – even if you don’t have symptoms. You must continue to self-isolate for the full ten days even if your PCR result is negative
• Hands, face and fresh air are still important steps to take to keep each other safe. EVEN IF you have had both jabs, you should still follow these rule.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats:

Friday 11th June 2021:

Key messages

• We’re making good progress in our fight against COVID-19 but the recent increase in cases both locally and elsewhere in the country proves that it hasn’t gone away. 
• Understandably, news of new variants, raises concern within communities, but the advice remains the same to make sure we keep protecting ourselves and our loved ones:
  • Wash your hands well and often
  • Wear a face covering where required
  • Keep your distance
  • And if you’re meeting others indoors, make sure you’re letting in lots of fresh air  
  • If you think you have any of the symptoms, isolate straight away, get a PCR test as soon as possible and give as much information as possible to the NHS Track and Trace Team

• It’s also crucial that we get tested regularly because as we mix more, Covid could be doing the same. Rapid testing is for people with no symptoms, it is free, quick and convenient. You can now collect your test kits from more than 100 community pharmacies across the county.  ALWAYS remember to record your results – positive or negative! 
• In light of the increased number of COVID-19 cases specifically in and around the Barton and Tredworth area of Gloucester, the Testing Outreach Team will be in the area handing out test kits every day this week, between 10-12 and 2-4. 
• People aged 25-29 years old are now being invited to get their first COVID-19 vaccination.
• The way you access your Covid vaccine in Gloucestershire is slightly differently to most parts of the country. If you are eligible and haven’t already been contacted, your local GP will be in touch soon  – you do not need to contact the surgery or go out of county for your appointment. Once invited you can book a slot at one of the county’s 10 vaccination centres – note these centres don’t appear on the national system
• The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine offers a good level of protection against the virus, but for long-lasting and better protection a second vaccination is needed. When it’s your turn please get your second dose –  your vaccine has been allocated and will be waiting for you at the same centre where you received your first dose.
• Help stop the spread of infection, help protect your friends and family, help us get back to a more normal way of life, as quickly as possible.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats:

Friday 4th June 2021:

Key Messages:

• Back to school: What test gets you tops marks without needing to study? A rapid Covid test, of course!  Regular testing is still really important in our fight against COVID-19. As part of your back to school prep, make sure you’ve got your hand gel, face mask and an average sized grand piano (or just remind yourself what two meters looks like).
• Did you know your local pharmacy now offers rapid Covid testing? They are quick, easy and taken twice a week help to protect you and your loved ones. Find your nearest pharmacy offering tests.
• Please book your first and second COVID-19 vaccine appointments as soon as your local GP surgery gets in touch to invite them for their vaccination. The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines offers a good level of protection against COVID-19, but for better, long-lasting protection you need both doses.
• We’re making good progress, but we’re not there yet – Professor Sarah Scott updates on how Gloucestershire is doing and gives info on variants in the county.
• What do we know about the new COVID-19 variants – This PHE blog tells you more.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats:

News from Tewkesbury Borough Council:

Friday 21st May 2021:

• From w/c 17 May, GCC will be working with Avon Healthcare and 1 Central Health to roll out on-site testing in community pharmacies across Gloucestershire. This will increase accessibility for those who wish to have additional support in the processing and reporting of their test result and will sit alongside the Pharmacy Collect offer. This will also mean that we will be closing our four community testing centres in the coming weeks, as testing forms part of our every day life and the venues used for the centres return to their business as usual activities, serving their local communities.

Friday 14th May 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Following the PM’s announcement that England will be moving to Stage 3 of the roadmap next week, GCC Silver has confirmed our roadmap for local services and will be implementing the recovery plan as previously agreed.
• From w/c 17 May, GCC will be working with Avon Healthcare and 1 Central Health to roll out on-site testing in community pharmacies across Gloucestershire. This will increase accessibility for those who wish to have additional support in the processing and reporting of their test result and will sit alongside the Pharmacy Collect offer. This will also mean that we will be closing our four community testing centres in the coming weeks, as testing forms part of our every day life and the venues used for the centres return to their business as usual activities, serving their local communities.

Gloucestershire COVID-19 stats:

Cases

• In week 19 (Monday 3 May – Sunday 9 May) there were 62 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 20 were in Stroud
• 14 were in Cheltenham
• 9 were in Gloucester
• 8 were in Tewkesbury
• 6 were in Cotswold
• 5 were in Forest of Dean

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 9.3 in Gloucestershire, 12.4 in the South West, and 21.8 in England. 

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 17 (Saturday 24 April– Saturday 1 May) there was 0 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 0.0% of all deaths, this compares with 0 (0.0% of all deaths) in Week 16

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 8  May, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate. (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 612 (0 new).

Friday 7th May 2021:

Friday 30th April 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Outdoor gatherings continue to be limited to six people or two households, and people must not socialise indoors with anyone they do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with. We are urging people to not be tempted to move indoors this bank holiday, as it’s expected to be a wet weekend.
• Spending time outside means more fresh air circulating  – making it more difficult for coronavirus to spread from person to person. Meeting up with other people in outdoor spaces also makes it easier to maintain social distance.
• Regular, rapid testing is available to everyone without COVID-19 symptoms. By making twice-weekly testing part of your everyday life you can help supress the virus and keep each other safe. Alongside the vaccine, it is a key part of our journey out of lockdown so that we can return to as normal life as possible, as quickly as possible.
• To make it as easy as possible for everyone to access, there are a number of ways to get a rapid test, including: taking a test at a rapid testing site, picking up a testing kit from various locations across the county or ordering a kit online. If you already get tests through your workplace or school, this is still the best route for you. For more information, visit the testing pages on our website.
• A new Government campaign “Join the millions’ has launched to encourage any one who hasn’t already to take up the offer of the COVID-19 vaccination. Yesterday (Wednesday 28 April) Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group announced that over 145,000 second vaccination doses have been delivered in the county. 

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

Friday 23rd April 2021:

Friday 16th April 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• On Monday 12 April outdoor pubs, shops, gyms and hairdressers reopened in line with the easing of restrictions across England. Outdoor gatherings continue to be limited to six people or two households, and people must not socialise indoors with anyone they do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with.
• Regular, rapid testing is available to everyone without symptoms. Rapid testing uses Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) to detect cases of Covid that we might not otherwise know about. The tests are quick and easy to do, and results come back in 30 minutes.
• To make it as easy as possible for everyone to access, there are a number of ways to get a test. ‘Community Collect’ points have opened at all four of GCC’s community testing centres to complement on site rapid testing. Government has also launched Pharmacy Collect, which pharmacies will be joining over the coming weeks. 
• We recommend that people who haven’t done a rapid Covid test before, visit a testing centre first to get used to how they work.
• GP leaders in the county are reassuring people aged 45-49 that residents will not need to travel outside of the county for their COVID-19 vaccination if they do not wish to. 
• Even though we are now allowed to socialise more, it’s still important to follow the rules around hands, face, space and fresh air.
• Our “Keep going…it will be worth it” campaign continues, highlighting what people can do from 12 April, as well as reminding them of the steps they need to take to keep each other safe and help make sure we make it to the next step in Government’s roadmap. You can find and download our campaign assets from Flickr. 

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

Cases

• In week 15 (Monday 5th April – Sunday 12th  April) there were 54 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 17 were in Gloucester
• 14 were in Cheltenham
• 9 were in Tewkesbury
• 5 were in Cotswold
• 5 were in Forest of Dean
• 4 were in Stroud

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 9.1 in Gloucestershire, 13.8 in the South West, and 26.5 in England.  

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 13 (Saturday 27th  March – Friday 2nd April) there was 1 death mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 1.2% of all deaths, this compares with 1 (1.0% of all deaths) in Week 12

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 10th April, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 611 (0 new)

Deaths in care homes –  406 (0 new)

Friday 9th April 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• On Monday 5 April, Government confirmed plans for easing restrictions across England from 12 April. Outdoor pubs, shops, gyms and hairdressers can reopen. Outdoor gatherings must still be limited to 6 people or 2 households, and you must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with.

• The Government has announced that everyone in England without symptoms will be able to get twice weekly rapid Covid-19 tests from Friday 9 April Community Collect points have opened at all four of GCC’s community testing centres to complement on site testing. Government has also launched Pharmacy Collect, which pharmacies will be joining over the coming weeks. 

• Even though we are now allowed to socialise more, it’s still important to follow the rules around hands, face, space and fresh air as well as getting a regular rapid test if you have no symptoms, but have to leave the house for essential reasons, and taking up the offer of a vaccination when invited.

• Our “Keep going…it will be worth it” campaign continues, highlighting what people can do from 12 April as we enter stage two of the roadmap. 

• Great Western Railway Update:

  “As the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions begins, from today (Monday 29 March) we will be strengthening our busiest services and from 12 April more of our long-distance Intercity services will run with 9 or 10 carriages.  Advice remains to keep travel to the minimum, but we want to be sure that we are providing customers with the services they need so that they can return to rail and travel with confidence when the time is right.

  We are also planning further additional services in our summer timetable, which starts on Sunday 16 May, which will bring us back to around 90% of our usual timetable. You should now be able to see these in online journey planners so that customers considering trips to the South Cotswolds over the summer can book ahead. 

  We know that rail has a key role to play in the regional economy, especially for tourism, as we recover from the pandemic, and we want to be sure we are getting this right, if you have any suggestions, or questions, about current or future services, do let me know. We are listening and we want to help.” 

Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) locations⁶

• Cinderford RFC, Dockham Rd, Cinderford GL14 2AQ (Monday-Tuesday)
• Dursley Rugby Club, Hounds Green, Dursley GL11 6AJ (Tuesday)
• Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester, GL7 6JS (Monday-Friday)
• North RFC, Stoke Orchard Road, Bishops Cleeve, GL52 7DG (Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Stow RFC, Oddington Road, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1JJ (Wednesday)
• Car Park off Newerne Street, Lydney, GL15 5RA (Thursday-Friday)
• Car Park, Oldends Lane, Stonehouse, GL10 2DG (Thursday-Sunday)
• University Of Gloucestershire, Entrance 3, Park Campus, The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH (Saturday-Sunday)
• Hartpury University & Hartpury College, Gloucester, GL19 3BE (Saturday-Sunday)
• Lower Lode Depot, Lower Lode Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 5TT (Thursday – Monday)

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

Cases:

• In week 14 (Monday 29 March – Sunday 4  April) there were 63 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 14 were in Gloucester
• 12 were in Cheltenham
• 10 were in Tewkesbury
• 10 were in Cotswold
• 9 were in Stroud
• 8 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 12.4 in Gloucestershire, 18.5 in the South West, and 36.1 in England.  

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 12 (Saturday 20  March– Friday 26 March) there was 1 death mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 1.1% of all deaths, this compares with 5 (5.4% of all deaths) in Week 11

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 3 April, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate. (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 611 (0 new)

Deaths in care homes –  406 (0 new)

Friday 1st April 2021:

Key messages from GCC

• As of 29 March, people in England can:
  • Meet outdoors with up to six people or two households/bubbles
  • Take part in organised outdoor sports
  • Use outdoor leisure facilities including tennis and basketball courts.
• People who were shielding can now start following the guidelines in line with the rest of England.
• On Monday 5 April, Government is expected to announce plans for further easing restrictions across England from 12 April. 
• Even though we are now allowed to socialise more, it’s still important to follow the rules around hands, face, space and fresh air as well as getting a regular rapid test if you have no symptoms, but have to leave the house for essential reasons, and taking up the offer of a vaccination when invited.
• To help remind people of the vital steps they need to take to further reduce the rate of infection in our county and to protect each other, our Keep going…it will be worth it campaign continues. You can find and download our campaign assets from Flickr.
• Community Collect is now live at all four rapid testing centres. Anyone who lives in a household with nursery, school or college aged children; is in a support or childcare bubble; or who works in a school setting can collect two boxes of 7 tests to carry out at home. There is no requirement to book. Regular testing is an important part of our journey out of lockdown. 
• Remembering the rules is especially important as we head into the Easter bank holiday weekend, and through into the school holidays, when more people will be keen to see friends and family – COVID-19 doesn’t take a break for Easter!
• GP surgery teams are piloting an additional vaccination walk in service on Saturday 3 April (10 to 4pm) in two areas of the county – Gloucester and Cheltenham – for those people aged 50 and over who have yet to take up the offer of their 1st dose. Members of the public will be given the opportunity to talk with doctors and other health care professionals at the sites at Rosebank Surgery, Gloucester and St Paul’s Medical Centre, Cheltenham about vaccination and discuss any issues or concerns

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

Cases

• In week 13 (Monday 22nd March – Sunday 28th March) there were 104 confirmed cases of COVID19. 

Of these cases:

• 23 were in Cheltenham

• 23 were in Stroud
• 21 were in Gloucester
• 21 were in Forest of Dean
• 8 were in Tewkesbury
• 8 were in Cotswold

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:00 17/03/2021)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 17.6 in Gloucestershire, 28.2 in the South West, and 54.7 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 11 (Saturday 13^th March – Friday 19^th March) there were 5 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 5.7% of all deaths, this compares with 6 (6.2% of all deaths) in Week 10.

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 27th March, they are provisional and will be subject to change. They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate. (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 611 (0 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 406 (0 new)

Friday 26th March 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

 • From 29 March, people will be able to meet outdoors in groups of six, or two households together. Outdoor leisure facilities like tennis and basketball courts will reopen and people will be able to take part in organised outdoor sports.

• Our “Keep going…It will be worth it” campaign continues as we start to look ahead to step two of the Government’s road map and remind people about the things we need to keep doing to get there.

• Regular testing, alongside staying at home, following the rules of hands, face, space, ventilate, self-isolating and getting a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms remain crucial to keep reducing the rate of infection and protect one another.

• Testing at the community testing sites in Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Cirencester and the Forest of Dean remains for people who do not have symptoms, but who still need to leave the house for essential reasons including for work or to care for others.

• Households, support and childcare bubbles of school staff or school aged children or children in pre-school or nursery can also test twice-weekly:
o At a local community test site
o By collecting a home test kit from one of the PCR testing sites: Hempsted Meadows, Stroud or Cheltenham walk-in between 1.30pm and 7pm; or
o By ordering a home test kit online

• A link to book a test can be found on the new and improved community testing pages of the GCC website.

• Children in Gloucestershire who are entitled to receive Free School Meals will be supported with vouchers for the Easter holidays.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

Cases

• In week 12 (Monday 15th March – Sunday 21st March) there were 122 confirmed cases of COVID19.

Of these cases:
• 32 were in Stroud
• 30 were in Cheltenham
• 18 were in Gloucester
• 18 were in Tewkesbury
• 17 were in Forest of Dean
• 7 were in Cotswold
* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change.

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 17.6 in Gloucestershire, 28.2 in the South West, and 54.7 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 10 (Saturday 6th March– Friday 12th March) there were 6 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 6.3% of all deaths, this compares with 10 (9.1% of all deaths) in Week 9.

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 20th March, they are provisional and will be subject to change. They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.(Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 611 (2 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 406 (1 new)

Friday 19th March 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Covid hasn’t gone away and to help keep life moving, we all must play our part in keeping cases down.
• Regular testing, alongside staying at home, following the rules of hands, face, space, ventilate, self-isolating and getting a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms remain crucial to keep reducing the rate of infection and protect one another.
• A fourth asymptomatic testing site at the Link Youth Support Centre in Tewkesbury will open to the public on Wednesday 24 March. Testing at the site is for people who have no symptoms, but who still need to leave the house for essential reasons including for work or to care for others. A link to book a test can be found on the new and improved community testing pages of the GCC website.
• Rapid, regular testing is now being offered the households, support and childcare bubbles of children in pre-school or nursery. This is in addition to households, support and childcare bubbles of school staff or school aged children. 
• In just 10 days, we will reach the next milestone in the Government’s road-map, working towards a more normal way of life. From 29 March, people will be able to meet outdoors in groups of six, or two households together. Whilst this is great news for us all, we must not give up now. We will be launching a campaign next week called: “Keep going…It will be worth it” recognising everything we are looking forward to in the weeks to come, whilst remembering what we have to do to get there.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

Cases

• In week 11 (Monday 8th March – Sunday 14^th  March) there were 133 confirmed cases of COVID19. 

Of these cases:

• 38 were in Stroud
• 28 were in Gloucester
• 21 were in Cheltenham
• 17 were in Tewkesbury
• 16 were in Forest of Dean
• 13 were in Cotswold

*Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 22.0 in Gloucestershire, 31.0 in the South West, and 57.7 in England.  

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 9 (Saturday 27^th  February– Friday 5th March) there were 9 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 8.5% of all deaths, this compares with 12 (9.6% of all deaths) in Week 8

* Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 13^th March, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.  (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.     

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 609 (4 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ –  405 (1 new)

Friday 12th March 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• Covid hasn’t gone away and to help keep life moving, we all must play our part in keeping cases down
• Regular testing, alongside staying at home, following the rules of Hands, Face, Space, self-isolating and getting a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms, remain crucial to keep reducing the rate of infection and protect one another
• Secondary aged pupils are being encourage to test regularly from home using kits provided to them
• Members of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of school staff or a pupil; or in an occupation associated with schools such as out of school clubs; or who have to visit schools for work can get a twice-weekly rapid test through their employer if they offer testing to employees;
  • at a local community test site;
  • by collecting a home test kit from one of the PCR testing sites: Hempsted Meadows, Stroud or Cheltenham walk-in between 1.30pm and 7pm;
  • or by ordering a home test kit online.
• A third rapid, regular testing site for people with no symptoms opened in the Forest of Dean on Wednesday 10 March. The new community testing centre is located at Miners Welfare Hall on Parragate Road in Cinderford
• We have developed a new hub of information around testing, visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/testing
• GP leaders in the county are reassuring people aged 55 and over that they are expecting significant additional quantities of vaccine to arrive in Gloucestershire shortly and that residents will not need to travel outside of the county for their COVID-19 vaccination if they do not wish to
  • Residents do not need to call their GP as they will be contacted by their surgery
• Letting fresh air in to indoor spaces by opening windows can help prevent the spread of Covid-19. There is new guidance on ventilating indoor spaces.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

Cases

In week 10 (Monday 1st March – Sunday 8^th  March) there were 186 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 50 were in Stroud
• 34 were in Gloucester
• 29 were in Tewkesbury
• 29 were in Forest of Dean
• 28 were in Cheltenham
• 16 were in Cotswold

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change.

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 30.0 in Gloucestershire, 32.9 in the South West, and 59.7 in England.  

Deaths mentioning COVID19

• In week 8 (Saturday 20^th  February– Friday 26^th February) there were 12 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 10.3% of all deaths, this compares with 17 (13.9% of all deaths) in Week 7

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 6^th March, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.

(Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 605 (3 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ –  404 (3 new)

Friday 5th March 2021:

Key messages from GCC:

• County schools get ready to welcome all pupils back into education safely from next week (Monday 8 March) as part Government’s road map to ease restrictions across England.
• Secondary aged pupils will be encouraged to take a rapid test using LFDs at school before they return to face-to-face teaching, followed by another two tests at school, before continuing regular testing at home using kits provided to them. They will also be asked to wear face coverings in the classroom, as well as in other school spaces where social distancing is more difficult.
• Households, childcare and support bubbles of primary and secondary-age pupils or staff with no symptoms can also get a Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) test kit to use at home. Test kits can be collected from the testing sites based at Hempsted Meadows in Gloucester and the walk-in testing facility in Cheltenham anytime between 1.30pm and 7pm, Monday-Sunday. You can check online if the location is open or busy before you go. You do not need to make an appointment.
• A third asymptomatic (for people with no symptoms) testing site will open at the Miners Welfare Hill in Cinderford on 10 March and a fourth centre at the Link in Tewkesbury will open by the end of March. The testing centres will use Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) to detect COVID-19 when people are most infectious to prevent the spread.
• Plans are underway to increase access to LFD testing through other sites across the county, including through the newly announced Community Collect model, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Anyone who lives or works in Gloucestershire and has to leave home for work or caring responsibilities can now book a regular LFD test at their nearest site.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

Cases

In week 9 (Monday 22^nd February – Sunday 28^th February) there were 202 confirmed cases of COVID19.         

Of these  cases:

• 62 were in Stroud
• 43 were in Gloucester
• 32 were in Cheltenham
• 27 were in Forest of Dean
• 21 were in Cotswold
• 17 were in Tewkesbury

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 35.3 in Gloucestershire, 49.6 in the South West, and 90.6 in England.  

Deaths mentioning COVID19

•  In week 7 (Saturday 13^th February– Friday 19^th February) there were 16 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 14.0% of all deaths, this compares with 23 (16.9% of all deaths) in Week 6

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 27^th February, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

*Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.     

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 602 (8 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ –  401 (7 new)

Friday 26th February 2021:

Tuesday 16th February 2021:

Thousands more added to Emergency Community Fund

Tewkesbury Borough Council has invested a further £50,000 of extra funding to help community groups who are supporting vulnerable people through the coronavius pandemic.

The Covid-19 Emergency Community Fund launched in April 2020 to provide financial support to voluntary and community groups as they responded to exceptional challenges during the first lockdown. From April 2020 to December 2020, 105 grants – totalling £87,165 – have been distributed to 78 organisations across Tewkesbury Borough (with some receiving more than one grant). 

Of the grants awarded last year, 56 funded IT equipment and other resources, 28 provided PPE and cleaning equipment, 17 supported ongoing service delivery costs, 15 covered volunteer expenses and nine helped with publicity costs (some grants supported more than one type of cost).

Now that Tewkesbury Borough Council has invested a further £50,000, it is once again urging community groups to apply. Groups that have already received funding can apply again if there is an exceptional need and the project meets the eligibility criteria.

The following activities are a priority for this grant programme:

• Direct and immediate practical support for vulnerable groups
• Initiatives to reduce isolation and vulnerability
• Initiatives to support mental wellbeing

For more information on how to apply, go to the TBC website or contact Louise Gifford, Community Funding Officer, on 01684 272192 or at louise.gifford@tewkesbury.gov.uk.

Friday 29th January 2021:

Thursday 28th January 2021:

New lockdown grant for closed businesses: 

 A national lockdown grant is available for businesses that have been required to close as a result of the current coronavirus restrictions. Tewkesbury Borough Council is responsible for administering the Covid-19 national lockdown grant across the borough and is inviting applications from local business owners.

In order to be eligible for the grant, a business must have been required to close as a result of the national restrictions imposed by the government from Tuesday, 5 January. Business owners must also operate a business-rated property registered on the council’s business rates system and must no longer be serving customers from the premises.

The current national lockdown is expected to last a minimum of six weeks. Business owners who have successfully applied will receive an initial payment to help them through this six-week period – the amount payable is based on the rateable value of the premises. If, at the end of six weeks, the lockdown continues, businesses will receive further payments according to the government’s guidelines without needing to apply again.

The council is advising business owners to check its Covid-19 business grants webpage as, if they are eligible for the national lockdown grant, they may also be eligible for a Tier 4 restrictions grant.

For more information and to apply, please visit the council’s Covid-19 national lockdown grant webpage.

The council has received a large number of applications for the tier-restriction support grants announced last month and is busy prioritising and processing these. The team processing the applications would like to reassure applicants that they will make payments as soon as they possibly can.   

Wednesday 27th January 2021:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

 An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur.

The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see the planned locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.

To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

Latest locations and dates:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 22nd January 2021:

Wednesday 30th December 2020:

Thursday 24th December 2020:

Key messages:

• Gloucestershire to move to Tier 3 from Boxing Day: Gloucestershire will be subject to Government’s Tier 3 restrictions from 00:01 on Saturday 26 December. We have scheduled ‘reminder’ social media posts between now and Boxing Day, in the hope that it encourages people to follow the Tier 3 guidance when it comes in to effect.
• Christmas Bubbles on 25^th December: On Christmas Day only, you are able to form a Christmas bubble with people from no more than three households, should you wish to do so. To help keep yourself and others safe, you should keep your bubble small, maintain as much distance as possible and avoid staying overnight if you don’t have to. You should not join a Christmas bubble with anyone from a Tier 4 area.
• ‘Letters to Father Christmas’ videos from members of the community have continued to appear on our social media channels. We aim to raise awareness of things people have missed doing this year and that they want to get back to in 2021, in turn reminding them to follow the guidance.
• Gloucestershire farmer and Cotswold Farm Park owner Adam Henson has produced to video message about staying safe this Christmas and into the New Year, which went out on Monday across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• Do it for Gloucestershire: more video case studies will appear on social media in the New Year, featuring both businesses and the public, with the aim of encouraging people in Gloucestershire to stick to the guidelines, so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
• “2020 is nearly over – but COVID isn’t.’’: look out for our striking red image on lampposts across Gloucester, as well as on social media, online, on the ad-van, supermarket screens and in newspapers.
• Christmas message from the council leader: Cllr Mark Hawthorne has recorded a brief message to the county which will go out on social media on Christmas Eve. He mentions good work done by NHS and Social Care colleagues throughout 2020, and also those mentioned in our ‘This Is…’ campaign. 

In the last 7 days there were 1,103 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 313 were in Gloucester
• 176 were in Stroud
• 160 were in Cheltenham
• 133 were in Tewkesbury
• 178 were in Forest of Dean
• 143 were in Cotswold

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 176.9 in Gloucestershire, 136.9 in the South West, and 318.9 in England. 

Deaths mentioning COVID19

In week 50 (Saturday  5^th December  – Friday 11th December) there were 31 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 21.4% of all deaths, this compares with 28 (21.9% of all deaths) in Week 49

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 19^th December, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.     

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 376 (24 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 298 (9 new)

Monday 21st December 2020:

New grants support businesses into the New Year

New support grants are now available for businesses in Tewkesbury Borough that have been financially impacted by Covid Tier 2 restrictions.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is responsible for administering and delivering the grants and will welcome applications from Monday, 21 December, with payments being made in the new year.

These grants are targeted at:

• Businesses that were legally required to close when the borough went into Tier 2 on Wednesday, 2 December.
• Businesses operating in – or directly supplying – the hospitality, bed and breakfast, hotel and leisure sectors that remain open but have been severely impacted due to local restrictions.

In addition, a Christmas grant in the form of a one-off payment of £1000 is available for ‘wet’ pubs – pubs whose income predominantly comes from the serving of alcohol rather than food orders – to offset their loss of much-needed business during what would usually be a very busy and profitable period. Pubs that operated as wet pubs before the pandemic, but now serve food in order to remain open, also qualify for this payment.

To make the application process easily accessible, the council has introduced one single form for all businesses to fill out, regardless of which grant applies to them.

Councillor Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: “This has been an exceptionally challenging year for businesses throughout the borough and we are continuing to do everything possible to help them by offering extra financial assistance over the Christmas period.

“Hospitality businesses in particular will be severely affected by the Tier 2 regulations over the festive season, but we hope this additional funding will go some way to alleviate the financial impact of the local restrictions. We want to make sure they receive all the support they are entitled to and I urge any business owner in the borough who is eligible for one of these grants to apply.”

To apply for a business support grant please visit: https://covid19.tewkesbury.gov.uk/covid19-business-grants

Friday 18th December 2020:

Key messages

• New Campaign Launched: “2020 is nearly over – but COVID isn’t.’’ We want everyone to be able to enjoy the Christmas that they deserve – whilst remembering that although 2020 might nearly be over, COVID isn’t. This campaign comes as a response to the rising number of infections in Gloucestershire and the lead up to Christmas. Please look out for our striking red image on social media and share where possible with your own contacts. We are advertising this message across the county in as many places as possible; online, with ad-vans, supermarket screens, lamp post leaflets and in newspapers.
• Christmas Bubbles between the 23rd and 27th December: You can choose to form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ with people from no more than three households. To help keep yourself and others your friends and family safe, you should keep your bubbles small, maintain as much distance as possible and avoid staying overnight if you don’t have to. Full information on Christmas Bubbles on the uk website. 
• Gloucestershire remains under Tier 2 restrictions: Gloucestershire is subject to Government’s Tier 2 restrictions until the 23 December and again after 28 December. We have scheduled ‘reminder’ social media posts between Christmas and New Year, in the hope that it encourages people to follow the Tier 2 guidance during the festive period outside of Christmas Bubbles. 
• ‘Letters to Father Christmas’ videos from members of the community will appear on our social media channels in the lead up for Christmas, launching today 18 December at 4pm. We aim to raise awareness of things people have missed doing this year and that they want to get back to in 2021, in turn reminding them to follow the guidance. A ‘positive’ toned message.
• Tier 2 and Christmas bubble myth busting quizzes will also run over the festive period on social media.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

In week 49 (Monday 30th November– Sunday 6th December) there were 886 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 279 were in Gloucester
• 184 were in the Forest of Dean
• 147 were in Stroud
• 106 were in Cheltenham
• 91 were in Tewkesbury
• 79 were in Cotswold   

Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 18:04 16/12/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 139.7 in Gloucestershire, 98.5 in the South West, and 216.8 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

In week 49 (Saturday 28th   November  – Friday 4th December) there were 27 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 23.5% of all deaths, this compares with 22 (20.2% of all deaths) in Week 48

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 12^th December, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 352 (22 new)

Deaths in care homes – 289 (5 new)

Thursday 17th December 2020:

From HMRC: Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – what you need to do now

The UK Government has reviewed the terms of the scheme, and announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will remain at the current level of 80% of usual wages for the hours not worked, and will be extended until the end of April‌ ‌2021.

Reminder of monthly deadlines

Thank you if you submitted your November furlough claim by the deadline of 14‌ ‌December.

If you did not submit your claim by this date, we may still accept it if you have a reasonable excuse for not claiming by the deadline. Go to GOV‌.UK and search ’claim for wages’ for more support.

Please note that reasonable excuses do not apply to late claims for periods before November, which should have been submitted already.

What you need to do now

1. If you haven’t submitted your claim for November but still need to, check if you have a reasonable excuse by searching ‘claim for wages’ – if your reason means you can claim late, please do so as soon as you’re able to.
2. Check you have not made any errors on your November claims, by looking at the eligibility criteria and calculating how much you can claim – search ‘Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌.UK.
3. Submit any claims for December no later than 14‌‌‌‌ ‌January.
4. Keep any records that support the amount of CJRS grants you claim, in case HMRC needs to check them. ‌

You can now make December claims

You can now submit your claims for periods in December. These must be made by 14 January.

To help you plan ahead to meet the monthly deadlines, here’s a list of the key dates you need to know:

• 14‌‌ January‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for December‌‌ 2020 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 15‌‌ February‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for January‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 15‌‌ March‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for February‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 14‌‌ April‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for March‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 14‌‌ May‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for April‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm.

Frequently asked questions about CJRS

You can find everything you need to know about the CJRS on GOV‌‌‌‌‌.UK by searching ‘Job Retention Scheme’, but here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.

What if I’ve claimed too much in error?

If you have claimed too much CJRS grant and have not already repaid it, you must notify us and repay the money by the latest of whichever date applies below:

• 90 days from receiving the CJRS money you’re not entitled to
• 90 days from the point circumstances changed so that you were no longer entitled to keep the CJRS grant.

If you do not do this, you may have to pay interest and a penalty as well as repaying the excess CJRS grant. For more information on interest search ‘Interest rates for late and early payments’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.‌‌‌UK.

You can repay as part of your next online claim without needing to call us. If you claimed too much but do not plan to submit further claims, you can let us know and make a repayment online through our card payment service or by bank transfer – go to ‘Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.‌‌‌‌‌‌UK.

What if I haven’t claimed enough?

If you made a mistake in your claim that means you received too little money, you’ll need to amend it within 28 calendar days after the month the claim relates to – unless this falls on a weekend or bank holiday, in which case the deadline is the next weekday. The deadline to amend claims for November is Tuesday‌ ‌29‌ ‌December.

To find out how to amend your claim, search ‘Get help with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌.UK.

Why have monthly deadlines been introduced?

Introducing a 14-day deadline ensures that we can more regularly and accurately see and react to the impact of coronavirus on businesses and individuals.

Our data suggests that most employers have made their claim within 14 days each month. You can go to GOV‌‌.UK and search ’claim for wages’ if you were unable to meet a deadline.

Can I use CJRS grants to pay for holiday leave?

If you have furloughed employees because of the effect of coronavirus on your business, you can claim under the CJRS for periods of paid leave they take while on furlough, including for bank holidays such as Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

If your employee is flexibly furloughed, you can count any time taken as holiday as furloughed hours rather than working hours. This means you can claim 80% of their usual wages for these hours. You should not place employees on furlough just because they are going to be on paid leave.

If a furloughed employee takes holiday, you should top up their pay to their normal rate in line with the Working Time Regulations. For more information search ‘check if you can claim for your employees’ wages’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌.UK.

Can I include a Christmas bonus in my calculation for the grant? 

You can claim for regular payments that you are contractually obliged to pay your employees, including compulsory commission, fees and overtime. However, you cannot claim for discretionary commission, non-contractual bonuses (including tips) and non-cash payments. For more information search ‘steps to take before calculating your claim’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌.UK.

How do I calculate the grant amount for employees?

A CJRS calculator can work out most fixed or variable pay calculations – you can find our CJRS calculator on GOV‌‌.UK by searching ‘calculate how much you can claim’. However, the CJRS calculator cannot be used for some employees, including those who:

• were variably paid, and have been on more than one period of furlough where any part of any of the periods of furlough was in the 2019/20 tax year
• have variable pay, started employment before 6 April 2020 and were not on their employer’s payroll on or before 19‌‌ ‌March‌‌ ‌2020
• started employment with their employer during a calendar period in the 2019-20 tax year which corresponds with part or all of the period being claimed for.

For a complete list of circumstances, search ‘calculate how much you can claim’ on GOV‌‌.UK.

If you cannot use the calculator, you will need to work out what you can claim manually using the calculation guidance or by seeking professional advice from an accountant or tax adviser. It’s your responsibility to check that the amount you are claiming for is correct.

Where can I get further support?

Thousands of people have joined and benefited from our live webinars which now offer more support on changes to CJRS, and how they affect you. To book online, or to view updated guidance, go to GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’.

Our phone lines and webchat remain very busy, so the quickest way to find the support you need is on GOV‌‌‌.UK. This will leave our phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most.

Protect yourself from scams   

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.

Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s new guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime by searching ‘Cyber Aware’ on GOV‌.UK.

Tuesday 8th December 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations – updated and extended from last weeks dates.

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur. The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 4th December 2020:

Key messages

• Gloucestershire is now subject to the Government’s Tier 2 restrictions. 
• Gloucestershire County Council has announced which services will reopen or stay the same with the Tier 2 restrictions. 
• Last week, Government announced that there will be greater easing of restrictions over Christmas (between 23 and 27 December only) and you will be able to form a ‘Christmas bubble’ with up to three households.
• This week Gloucestershire County Council has taken delivery of 6000 lateral Flow Devices (LFD) from the Department of Health and Social Care, as part of a pilot, located at the Royal Agricultural University, which began yesterday (3 December). Tests are being offered to all students and staff at the University and near by Cirencester College and Deer Park School. Students and teachers who sign up will be tested twice a week.In addition to the county council’s pilot, The University of Gloucestershire and Hartpury University are delivering schemes for their students and staff. The NHS is also rolling out regular testing to all their frontline staff in Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust and Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust.

In week 48 (Monday 23rd November– Sunday 29th November) there were 646 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 225 were in Gloucester
• 117 were in Cheltenham
• 105 were in Stroud
• 92 were in Tewkesbury
• 37 were in Cotswold
• 70 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:00 02/12/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 106.4 in Gloucestershire, 92.0 in the South West, and 153.9 in England.

In week 47 (Saturday 14^th  November  – Friday 20th November) there were 26 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 19.7% of all deaths, this compares with 21 (16.8% of all deaths) in Week 46

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 28^th November, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 306 (54 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 281 (2 new)

News from TBC: 

Tuesday 1st December 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

 An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur.

The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.

To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 27th November 2020:

Key messages

• Government has confirmed Gloucestershire will be deemed ‘High’ risk and subject to Tier 2 restrictions from 3 December.
• It is also possible for areas to move between tiers, so it’s very important that we continue to follow the guidance. This will depend on a number of factors, including number of cases, available capacity within the NHS and the level to which people are following the guidance, including getting testing and isolating, if they test positive.
• Regular, good hand-washing, wearing a face covering and keeping two meters apart continues to be essential steps for everyone to follow.

GCC are running a new social media campaign until mid December called ‘Do It For Gloucestershire.’ They will be featuring both businesses and the public with the aim of encouraging people in Gloucestershire to stick to the guidelines, so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible. Please keep an eye out for the videos, which they will be posting out over the next couple of weeks, remember to like and share them with your friends and family. The first video went out on Tuesday across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

In week 47 (Monday 16th November– Sunday 22th November) there were 862 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 280 were in Gloucester
• 155 were in Stroud
• 141 were in Cheltenham
• 131 were in Tewkesbury
• 107 were in Forest of Dean
• 48 were in Cotswold

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 17:37 26/11/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 141.9 in Gloucestershire, 139.7 in the South West, and 209.1 in England. (15^th-21^st Nov 2020 inclusive)

In week 46 (Saturday 7^th November  – Friday 13th November) there were 20 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 16.8% of all deaths, this compares with 10 (10.2% of all deaths) in Week 45.

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 189 (4 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 281 (2 new) 

News from TBC:

Wednesday 25th November 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur.

The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Click-and-collect businesses eligible for support grant

Businesses forced to close, but who are offering a ‘click-and-collect’ service, are eligible for a national restrictions support grant.

The national government website gives details about the types of businesses that are allowed to remain open and those that are required to close due to restrictions during the second lockdown.

In the main, businesses that sell or hire non-essential goods must close; they may, however, continue to do trade through delivery and through click-and-collect services, where items are pre-ordered and collected by the customers. Such businesses are still eligible for a national restrictions support grant because their main source of trade – whereby people make purchases by visiting the premises in person – has been forced to close.

Councillor Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: “We are aware of the very real difficulties facing businesses this winter and are taking every step possible to make sure they receive the financial support they are entitled to. We want to draw their attention to the fact that if they are required to close physically, they are still eligible for this support grant even if they are trading though delivery or click-and-collect. Selling goods by these means does not affect their entitlement to this funding, and I urge them to apply now.” 

 Applications for a national restrictions support grant can be made here.

Monday 23rd November 2020:

More financial support for businesses affected by the current lockdown

Tewkesbury Borough Council has been given additional government funding to support more businesses severely impacted by the current lockdown period.

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is for businesses who have suffered a financial loss as a result of the national restrictions that came into force on Thursday, 5 November but have not been required to close.

Councils are able to determine which businesses to target and how much they can receive through this additional funding. 

Tewkesbury Borough Council has determined its eligibility criteria for the grant, which includes:

• businesses which supply the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors                                                  
• businesses in the events sector or who supply the events sector                                                   
• businesses who have been forced to close due to circumstances beyond their control                        
• businesses who have been severely impacted by the national restrictions in place from Thursday, 5 November 2020 to Wednesday, 2 December 2020                                                                                           

Councillor Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: “There will be many businesses throughout the borough who, although not themselves required to close, are adversely affected by the restrictions imposed during this second lockdown. This extra funding will enable us to provide financial support for these businesses and help them through a very difficult time, and I would ask anyone interested in obtaining funding to check the criteria to see if they are eligible.”

Further details on the grant’s eligibility criteria and the online application form can be found here.

Free support and advice on wider support schemes are also available through the Tewkesbury Growth Hub. For more information, please email tewkesbury@thegrowthhub.biz.

Friday 20th November 2020:

Key messages

• On Thursday, 5 November national restrictions came into force across England to help control the spread of Covid-19, to protect the NHS and to save lives.These include:
  • Stay at home
  • Work from home
  • Avoid travel unless essential
  • Remember: wash hands, cover face, make space

• A full list of county council service changes is available on the Covid-19 section of the county council website.

• With two weeks remaining until the national restrictions are set to end, we need to do all we can to prevent the number of Covid-19 cases in the county rising. We must all act now, the steps we all can take are simple, but could make a difference.

• Ofsted highlight county council’s response to Covid-19

• Almost £1.2million secured for cycling and walking in Gloucestershire – Emergency Active Travel Fund update. 

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

In week 46 (Monday 9th November– Sunday 15th November) there were 1031 confirmed cases of Covid-19: 

• 245 were in Gloucester
• 207 were in Cheltenham
• 179 were in Stroud
• 147 were in Cotswold
• 147 were in Tewkesbury
• 106 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:22 18/11/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 156.0 in Gloucestershire, 192.7 in the South West, and 270.3 in England. 

In week 45 (Saturday 31^st October  – Friday 6th November) there were 8 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 8.4% of all deaths, this compares with 3 (2.3% of all deaths) in Week 44.

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 252 (9 new)

Deaths in care homes – 279 (9 new)

News from TBC:

Friday 13th November 2020:

Key messages

• On Thursday, 5 November national restrictions came into force across England to help control the spread of Covid-19, to protect the NHS and to save lives.These include:
  • Stay at home
  • Work from home
  • Avoid travel unless essential
  • Remember: wash hands, cover face, make space

• A full list of county council service changes is available on the Covid-19 section of the county council website.

• New national guidance on care home visiting was published last week (5 November) and local advice and guidance has been updated as a result and shared with all care homes, to help them plan for and manage visiting.
• Going to school is best for children’s wellbeing and future
• The Gloucestershire Help Hub was stepped back up on 7 November to take calls over the weekend. Calls have been low so far, with queries about NHS Test & Trace and the Test & Trace support payments being distributed by district councils.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

In week 45 (Monday 2nd November– Sunday 8th November) there were 842 confirmed cases of Covid-19 

Of these  cases:

• 178 were in Gloucester
• 223 were in Stroud
• 118 were in Cotswold
• 142 were in Cheltenham
• 89 were in Tewkesbury
• 92 were in the Forest of Dean

*Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:13 11/11/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 126.0 in Gloucestershire, 164.1 in the South West, and 244.9 in England. 

In week 44 (Saturday 24th  – Friday 30th October) there were 3 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 2.4% of all deaths, this compares with 3 (2.7% of all deaths) in Week 42

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 243 (6 new)

Deaths in care homes – 270 (5 new)

News from TBC:

Tuesday 10th November 2020:

News from HMRC:

Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – You’ll be able to apply for CJRS online from tomo‌‌‌rrow – Wednesday‌‌‌ ‌11‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌November – for periods from 1 ‌November. You will need to submit any claims for November by 14‌‌ ‌December.

What’s new in the support available

• CJRS has been extended to 31 ‌March 2021 for all parts of the UK. From 1 November, the UK Government will pay 80% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. This will be reviewed in January.
• You and your employees do not need to have benefited from the scheme before to claim for periods from 1 November. Go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK for the full eligibility criteria.
• HMRC intends to publish details of employers who use the scheme for claim periods from December, and employees will be able to find out if their employer has claimed for them under the scheme.
• There are now monthly deadlines for claims. Claims for periods starting on/after 1 November must be submitted within 14 calendar days after the month they relate to, unless this falls on a weekend in which case the deadline is the next weekday. For further details go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’.
• The Job Retention Bonus will no longer be paid in February‌‌‌ ‌2021 and an alternative retention incentive will be put in place at the appropriate time.
• The launch of the Job Support Scheme has also been postponed.

What you need to do now

Submit any claims for periods up to 31 October on or before 30‌‌‌ ‌November. Claims for periods up to 31 October will not be accepted after 30‌‌‌ ‌November. Claims are subject to eligibility and the rules in force at the time. Search ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK for full eligibility criteria.

What you need to do for your claims – for periods from 1 November

• Read the new guidance – go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ – to check if you and your employees are eligible.
• Agree working hours with any employees you wish to furlough for November and agree any changes to their employment contract.
• Work out how much you can claim for your employees using our CJRS calculator and examples. Search for ‘Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK.
• Submit any claims for periods from 1 November no later than 14‌‌‌ ‌December.

You will need to keep any records that support the amount of CJRS grant you claim, in case HMRC needs to check them. You can view, print or download copies of your previously submitted claims by logging onto your CJRS service on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK.

Further support

Thousands of people have viewed, and benefited from, our live webinars which now offer more support on changes to CJRS, and how they affect you. To book online, or to view updated guidance, go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’.

Our phone lines and webchat remain very busy, so the quickest way to find the support you need is on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK. This will leave our phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most.

Protect yourself from scams   

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 6‌0599.   

Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s new guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime by searching ‘Cyber Aware’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌.UK.

Friday 6th November 2020:

Tuesday 3rd November 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur. The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away. To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119. This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Monday 2nd November 2020:

New from HMRC: Latest changes that may impact you

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), which was due to end on 31‌ October, will now be extended, with the UK government paying 80% of wages for the hours furloughed employees do not work, up to a cap of £2,500 for periods from 1 November.

You will need to pay all employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and pension contributions. You can choose to top up your furloughed employees’ wages beyond the 80% paid by the UK government for hours not worked, but you are not required to do so.

There will be no gap in support between the previously announced end date of CJRS and this extension.

For more information, go to GOV‌.UK and search ‘furlough scheme extended’.

How will it work?

You will have flexibility to ask your employees to work on a part-time basis and furlough them for the rest of their usual working hours or furlough them full-time. You will have to cover their wages for any hours they work as well as all employer National Insurance and employer pension contributions.

You will be able to claim either shortly before, during or after running your payroll. There will be a short period initially when the online claims service will be closed while we update the system, and you will be able to claim in arrears for that period.

Further details will be provided in the next few days. Please do not call us for more information in the meantime – we will let you know via email as soon as this is available.

How to check if your employees are eligible

You can claim for employees who were on your PAYE payroll on 30‌ October 2020. You must have made a PAYE Real Time Information (RTI) submission to HMRC between 20‌ March 2020 and 30‌ October 2020, notifying a payment of earnings for that employee.

If employees were on your payroll on 23‌ September‌ 2020 (i.e. notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 23 September) and were made redundant or stopped working for you afterwards, they can also qualify for the scheme if you re-employ them.

Neither you nor your employee needs to have previously used the CJRS. Further details on eligibility will be provided in the next few days.

What you need to do now

• Check if your employees are eligible for the scheme, based on the information above.
• Agree working hours with your employees, so they know if they are furloughed fully or part-time during November.
• Keep the records that support the amount of CJRS grant you claim, in case HMRC need to check it. You can view, print or download copies of your previously submitted claims by logging onto your CJRS service on GOV‌.UK.‌ 

Job Support Scheme

The new Job Support Scheme, which was due to start on Sunday 1 November, has now been postponed.

Further support

Guidance and live webinars offering you more support on changes to CJRS, and how they impact you, are available to book online – go to GOV‌.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’.  

Our phone lines and webchat remain very busy, so the quickest way to find the support you need is on GOV‌.UK. This will leave our phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most.   

Protect yourself from scams   

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 6‌0599. 

Friday 30th October 2020:

Tuesday 27th October 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur. The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away. To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 23rd October 2020:

Key messages

• On Monday 19 October, we launched the six-step plan for Gloucestershire focusing on protecting our most vulnerable residents, increasing enforcement action and, a call to us all to work together, and for each other, by following the public health guidance. 
• The legal notice to prevent the Stow Fair from going ahead was served using the county council’s powers under Covid-19 regulations on Tuesday 20 October.
• Covid-19 doesn’t mean Halloween is cancelled this year, but with cases continuing to creep up in the county, residents are been urged to find fun, alternative, ways to celebrate safely. This might include a pumpkin trail, transforming your home into a haunted house and more – as well as remembering the main public health advice around hands, face and space, and sticking to the rule of six. Messages around how to have a Covid-safe Halloween will go out from next week. Please share them if you follow our social media channels.
• We announced the Extra £6.6m to help county’s care providers prevent the spread of Covid-19. 
• Household Recycling Centres will move to normal winter opening hours from 25 October (10am – 4pm) .
• Two schools are taking part in a School Streets trial which will start on 2 November. It will improve air quality and create more space for social distancing at drop of and pick up times.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

In week 42 (Monday 12 October – Sunday 18 October) there were 374 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 94 were in Gloucester
• 71 were in Cheltenham
• 63 were in Stroud
• 52 were in Cotswold
• 47 were in the Forest of Dean
• 47 were in Tewkesbury

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:43 21/10/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 58.5 in Gloucestershire, 82.7 in the South West, and 168.8 in England. 

In week 41 (Saturday 3rd – Friday 9th October) there were 2 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 1.9% of all deaths, this compares with 1 (0.9% of all deaths) in Week 40

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 232 (1 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 265 (0 new)

News from TBC: