The report of the Director of Public Health (Document “K”) provides an update on COVID-19 in Bradford District. It describes the response to the COVID 19 pandemic between March and September. The latest data on cases, admissions and deaths are included. The report sets out how the Bradford District COVID-19 response is being managed, including delivery of the COVID-19 Vaccination programme. The report concludes with a section on horizon scanning, considering developments which may impact on how we control COVID-19 in the future.

Recommended –

The Committee it invited to note and comment on the report

(Caroline Tomes - 07929 829751)

The report of the Director of Public Health (Document “K”) provided an update on COVID-19 in Bradford District. The report described the response to the COVID 19 pandemic between March and September. The latest data on cases, admissions and deaths are included. The report further set out how the Bradford District COVID-19 response was being managed, including delivery of the COVID-19 Vaccination programme. The report concluded with a section on horizon scanning, considering developments which may impact on how COVID-19 would be controlled in the future.

The Director of Public Health was in attendance and with the invitation of the Chair, gave a PowerPoint presentation on Covid-19 Update that included the following contents:

•         Latest data and epidemiology

•         Response across the district

•         Testing

•         Vaccination programme

•         New variant (Delta sublineage AY.4.2)

•         Horizon scanning

She further added that by giving an overview of the key points in the Covid-19 legislation. A breakdown on the snapshot of the graphs contained in the report was detailed to the committee. She had stressed that there had been a change in the geographical spread of Covid-19 in the period of the first six months of the pandemic. Figures across the country had seen an increasing rise in numbers across the country. It was stated that it was not sure on the specific reasons of increase of rate of infection, however it had been noted across the country. This graphs also detailed the wave of the pandemic through different age groups showing infection rates having varied over time. At the beginning of the pandemic. As opposed to early periods, the infection in younger people had also increased.

A question and answer session ensued:

·         How long would the Covid-19 vaccine and booster jab last?

o   This information was not transparent to date, although current studies suggested that vaccination remained effective for at least six months;

·         How effective was the Covid vaccine and booster jab?

o   There were three different forms of vaccine that affected individuals according to different immune systems. However, the vaccine and booster did not prevent Covid but seemed to vastly lower the chance of death or hospitalisation.

·         What was the foundation of progression towards the prevention of Covid?

o   Engagement measures designed to limit the impact of coronavirus entailed rigorous conversations within Bradford communities. This engagement work also involved PCR testing of asymptomatic people across a defined area of the district using door to door approach coupled with pop up testing sites, open access to both mobile and fixed testing sites (usually reserved for symptomatic people only) and, due to the number of cases among younger people, most critical was the PCR testing in specified secondary schools. Efforts had also been made to improve and circulate easily understandable information as possible for people to get help with vaccines. Extended office working hours; officers going out and meeting people in workplaces; meeting other agencies that the Council was currently working in partnership with to deliver Covid prevention solutions.  The service had also been working very closely with the voluntary sector and with health colleagues across the patch. A data and information program would be used in the near future not only to measure programme outcomes, but also to help inform the Council’s future actions;

·         How was post-acute COVID-19 defined?

o   There had been growing concern of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (also known as Long Covid). For modelling purposes post-acute COVID-19 had been defined in line with ‘NICE guidance NG188’as signs and symptoms that developed during or after infection consistent with COVID-19 which continued for more than 12 weeks and was not explained by an alternative diagnosis;

·         Which was the dominating strain in Bradford?

o   Since June 2021, the dominant strain of COVID-19 had been the Variant of Concern ‘Delta’. This strain had been expanding across England, and had been designated as a Variant Under Investigation while further assessment is made regarding its properties and likelihood to cause harm;

·         What has the service learned from feedback on whether people evaluating the importance of the booster jab?

o   53.9% of those eligible for a booster jab had received their jab dose. The current standing number of people vaccinated was a fairly positive picture of the district. However, people in general were being given a choice for treatment and in addition to immense community engagement, guidance and considerable circulation of information in the district, people were given the responsibility make their own individual decisions about what they want to do in terms of vaccination; and,

·         What was the proportion of admissions into hospitals in the past few weeks?

o   Currently, approximately 4% of all cases are resulting in a hospital admission, in comparison to 11% in November 2020 and 13% in January 2021.

The committee stressed the importance of the Council to continue working closely with schools in order to navigate reduction of high infection numbers with their respective students. To continue working closely with communities so that the channels of communication were not broken. It was important for people to follow government guidance in order to reduce the rate of infections.

In response, it was explained that all necessary steps were being followed in line with government guidance. 

Resolved:-

That a further update on Covid-19 be added to the Committee’s 2022-23 Programme of Work.

Action: Director of Public Health