Strengthened support package to be deployed to control spread of COVID-19

New Coronavirus guidance has been issued to people in the borough and across Greater Manchester.

Along with authorities throughout Greater Manchester and Lancashire, additional testing, tracing, isolation and vaccine support measures are now being deployed.
Testing and vaccinations will, in combination with measures such as washing hands, wearing a face covering, maintaining social distance, and meeting people from other households outdoors where possible, help control the spread of the Delta variant, also known as the variant first identified in India.

Workplaces have a key role to play in supporting the response, whether your organisation has already been taking part in the workplace testing programme or not.
You should encourage colleagues to continue to work from home if they can.

How you can play your part:
• meet outside rather than inside where possible
• keep 2 metres apart from people that you don’t live with (unless you have formed a support bubble)
• minimise travel in and out of affected areas where possible, to minimise contact with others.

People should also:
• Continue to work from home where possible
• Get vaccinated when offered, and encourage others to do so
• Get tested. This includes arranging to have a PCR test if you have symptoms or have recently been in contact with someone who has tested positive; and getting regular rapid lateral flow tests if you do not have symptoms
• Self-isolate immediately if you or someone who you live with have symptoms or a positive test result

If we all take this action, we can help break the chains of transmission in Oldham.

Cllr Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: “Here in Oldham we have been working hard to keep Coronavirus rates low. Our case numbers are amongst the lowest in Greater Manchester, but they’re rising. By ramping up activity now we can stay on the front foot.
“To do that we need everyone to continue playing their part. This means getting tested regularly, following the guidance and doing all we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

“Ultimately the vaccine is our route out of this pandemic, so we’ll be pushing the Government to get more vaccines to Oldham as soon as possible.”

Full information on the new guidance is available on the Oldham Council website here.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said in the House of Commons: “Working with local authorities, we are providing a strengthened package of support based on what is working in Bolton to help Greater Manchester and Lancashire tackle the rise in the Delta variant that we are seeing there. This includes Rapid Response Teams, putting in extra testing, military support and supervised in-school testing.
“I want to encourage everyone in Greater Manchester and Lancashire to get the tests on offer. We know that this approach can work – we have seen it work in South London and in Bolton in stopping a rise in the number of cases.
“This is the next stage of tackling the pandemic in Greater Manchester and in Lancashire, and of course, it is vital that people in these areas as everywhere, come forward and get the jab as soon as they are eligible because that is our way out of the pandemic together.”

Early research shows that vaccines provide strong protection against the new variants, with effectiveness against symptomatic disease from the Delta variant is similar after two doses compared to the Alpha variant. Even higher levels of effectiveness are expected against hospitalisations and death.

For more information on the vaccination programme in Oldham, visit the website here.

Your workplace response

As well as asking those who can work from home to continue doing so, we also ask that you encourage your colleagues to continue with frequent twice weekly rapid testing.

• It has never been more important to take up the offer of frequent testing. Continue taking part in the workplace testing programme if you have registered to do so, and support your colleagues in twice weekly rapid testing. Reinforce that this applies to colleagues working from home and attending work settings.
• Encourage colleagues to get tested regularly, whether symptomatic or not and regardless of whether they have received their first or both of their vaccinations.
• Encourage colleagues who display symptoms (a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss of smell/taste or it has changed) to get a PCR test as soon as possible, and to self isolate.
• Encourage colleagues to carry out their follow up confirmatory PCR test if they receive a positive LFD result. Colleagues who test positive following a PCR test must self isolate immediately, preventing the spread of the virus.
• Colleagues who test positive following an LFD test must also self isolate immediately, but also arrange a PCR test as soon as possible to confirm the result via the online portal or by calling 119.
• If your organisation operates in the hospitality industry, front line colleagues can support contact tracing and stop the spread of variants by promoting your venue’s QR check in code.
________________________________________
Get tested

Everyone in Oldham is being encouraged to get tested, whether you have symptoms or not and even if you have had one or two doses of the vaccine. Different testing options are available, and more information is available on our website here.
If a person tests positive, has any symptoms, or are contact traced following contact with someone who tests positive, they should self isolate immediately. Support for self isolation is available. This includes grants to support people on low incomes and who will lose income as a result of self-isolating. Visit www.oldham.gov.uk/selfisolationpayment for information.

It’s an offence for an employer to knowingly allow a person who is required to self-isolate to work anywhere other than where they are self-isolating (normally their home). Guidance for employers and workers on work absences due to coronavirus is on the GOV.UK website here.

Please help to keep your community safe by getting tested so we can find the variant and protect you and your loved ones.
For more information, the latest guidance and updates, please visit www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus
________________________________________
Get vaccinated

As well as this enhanced testing, targeted activity will take place across Oldham to continue to drive vaccine uptake amongst eligible cohorts to protect the most vulnerable.

Who is currently eligible for the vaccine?

• people are aged 25 or older on, or before, July 1
• people at high risk from Coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• people with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• people with a learning disability
• people who live or work in care homes
• health and social care workers
• people who are the main carer for someone at high risk from Coronavirus
As of 1 June, 65.4% of Oldham’s registered population aged 18 or over, has been vaccinated with their first dose and 43.7% of Oldham’s registered population aged 18 or over, has been vaccinated with their second dose.
Vaccines are the best way to protect people from coronavirus and have saved thousands
of lives. Please help to keep your community safe by getting vaccinated.
You will be contacted by the NHS when you’re eligible. Visit our dedicated vaccination webpage for more information.
________________________________________
Stay safe

You’ve all played a huge part in the borough’s fight against coronavirus since the pandemic started.
To help us continue our efforts, please make sure you, your staff and customers are following the procedures you’ve put in place to keep them safe.
This includes wiping down surfaces, ensuring people continue to sanitise their hands, reminders that face coverings are still mandatory and that social distancing is respected.
More information on working safely during coronavirus, including guides for a wide range of businesses and venues, can be found on GOV.UK

Oldham Council Business Support

Oldham Council has a free and flexible support offer to help make a real difference to your business. Whether you’re a start-up, established business, or looking to invest, we have account managers ready to provide you with tailor-made advice.
Much of this package is unique to the borough and includes grant funding, access to finance, growth advice, workforce development and networking opportunities.
To find out more, contact us today on 0161 770 2077 or email invest@oldham.gov.uk

Oldham Council Business Support

Oldham Council has a free and flexible support offer to help make a real difference to your business. Whether you’re a start-up, established business, or looking to invest, we have account managers ready to provide you with tailor-made advice.

Much of this package is unique to the borough and includes grant funding, access to finance, growth advice, workforce development and networking opportunities.

To find out more, contact us today on 0161 770 2077 or email invest@oldham.gov.uk