Agenda item

To understand the current position in relation to Covid-19 in Buckinghamshire.

Dr Jane O’Grady, Director of Public Health.

Dr Jane O’Grady, Director of Public Health, provided a presentation, appended to the minutes.  Dr O’Grady gave an update on the cases in Buckinghamshire and stated that the cumulative total of cases was 38,607 cases and 1,219 deaths.  The death rate was similar to the south east rate but lower than the England rate.  Maps were shown of the cumulative case rates over last the year for the different areas in Buckinghamshire; the rates varied across the county, with higher rates in deprived areas and areas with a higher ethnic population.  The graphs of the age of people with covid-19 in Buckinghamshire showed that the highest rates were currently amongst the 19-24 year olds.  The low number of cases in the older age groups was testament to the effectiveness of the vaccine.  Hospital admissions were rising before 19 July 2021 and with the impact of the easing of restrictions was expected two to three weeks after that date.    Dr O’Grady emphasised the need to take things slowly to avoid a massive peak of hospital admissions.  The vaccination programme had been successful with more than 84% of adults in Buckinghamshire having received the first dose and 65% had received two doses.  However, one third of the population were not in receipt of their second dose and the more infectious variant required that both doses were needed for protection.  The vaccine uptake had been excellent in the older age groups, but younger people needed to come forward, particularly younger men and some key ethnic groups.  Dr O’Grady stressed that the vaccine was good, but it was not 100% effective so care was needed to avoid a surge in cases which would put a strain on the health care and other services.

The following key points were raised in discussion:

• The Chairman echoed the message of caution and asked what work was being carried out to increase the uptake.  Dr O’Grady explained that vaccine clinics were being held in community venues e.g. mosques; the vaccine bus was going to areas to take the vaccine to people.  There was also an NHS training programme called “Vaccine Voices” which trained people to provide the facts and give them the tools to encourage vaccine uptake. 
• Following a query from Jenny Baker, Chair of Healthwatch Bucks on whether there was a communications policy on the key messages that could be used by Healthwatch Bucks it was agreed that the BC Comms Team would link in with Healthwatch Bucks.

ACTION:  Kate Holmes/Jacqueline Boosey

• Work was being undertaken with all groups to ensure maximum uptake.
• Neil Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust advised that the number of people in hospital with Covid was rising but there was lower ratio who required mechanical ventilation than previously.  Approximately a third of the admissions had received one vaccine.  There had been an increased demand for paediatric services.  Other non-covid service demand was extremely high, and the work force was not immune from isolation pressure and the peak was expected in mid-late August. 
• Work was being carried out on the implementation of the flu/Covid vaccine booster programme. 
• Debbie Richards, Managing Director, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust advised that the mental health team had been working with primary care to ensure those with a serious mental illness or learning disability were prioritised.  The team had also been working on vaccine hesitancy.  Debbie acknowledged the efforts of all the NHS staff working under the current heatwave and pressurised conditions. 
• Neil Macdonald advised that during the first two waves of the pandemic,  paediatric demand was rare; however, recently a few children had been admitted with Covid and, unusually for this time of year, there had been admissions for other respiratory illnesses in children due to the suppression of the usual viruses during the lockdown period. 
• Simon James, Service Director for Education stated that secondary schools were experiencing increasing numbers of Covid cases and the Service would continue to raise awareness around the importance of lateral flow testing.
• In response to whether any information was available on the vaccine uptake in pregnant women; Kate Holmes advised that she thought Buckinghamshire was in line with the national average but could track the number.  Kate stated that several webinars had taken place and the Vaccine Voices programme was being linked in with the midwives to encourage uptake.

ACTION:  Kate Holmes

Resolved:  The Health and Wellbeing Board members noted and approved the Local Outbreak Management Plan.