Issue - meetings

The Director of Pubic Health and Protection provided the Board with an update on the Public Health response to Covid-19 Coronavirus.  

The presentation included the most recent Covid-19 figures and data for Halton; how the Halton Outbreak Support Team were working to successfully identify and manage local outbreaks; and gave details of the most recent information on testing and vaccination for people in Halton.

The following was discussed in response to Members questions:

·         There was some vaccine hesitancy amongst the people in Halton but much less than in most areas of the country;

·         the Delta variant was more transmissible than the Alpha and seemed to cause additional symptoms;

·         Despite the infection rates rising, hospital admissions due to Covid remained low;

·         The national booking system and the local GP’s system of vaccination was clarified;

·         It was the consensus that the infection rates in schools may get worse before they get better;

·         Asylum seekers and traveller communities were being included in the vaccination programme – the Council had been commended in this area as good practice; and

·         Walk in appointments in St Helens were currently being arranged.

RESOLVED:  That the presentation be noted.