Covid update 17/12/2020
Vaccines
It is very good news that the UK has approved a COVID-19 vaccine for distribution. The vaccine is produced by Pfizer BioNTech (read more about it on the government website).
There are lots of other COVID-19 vaccines being developed. It is likely that in 2021 the national vaccination programme will combine different vaccines so that we can all be vaccinated, so it would be extremely helpful if you (as Covid Champions) start developing the skills needed to be confident vaccine communicators.
Vaccination has begun across Devon this week, but supplies are limited and the programme is focusing on the most vulnerable individuals in our community for the time being.
Your GP will get in touch when it’s your turn for a vaccine. We’re asking you to help us spread the word that people should not to get in touch with their GP or local hospital about vaccines because the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn.
The vaccination programme will take time, so it is important that everyone understands we cannot relax yet. Please help us keep Torbay safe by continuing to share information within your networks about the importance of social distancing, face coverings, testing and isolation in order to stop the spread of coronavirus.
If you have any specific questions about vaccines, please do get in touch on [email protected]
Advice on Christmas
I received the latest advice update yesterday, so these are
few key points about Christmas:
- A Christmas Bubble does not mean you can meet different households everyday – the three households must remain the same over the four day period.
- Just because it is permitted to meet other households, it does not mean this is a good idea. We must all consider the risk of any socialising to ourselves and our families. COVID-19 isn’t going away for Christmas, so we need to treat it as it is and not how we wish it was.
- If you are required to self-isolate over Christmas because you have tested positive for COVID-19 or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, then you must self-isolate over Christmas. This is the case even if you later test negative for COVID-19 during the isolation period.
From Monday 14th December, contacts of people who have tested positive for coronavirus only need to self-isolate for 10 days. Read more about this in the government guidance online.