Julie Webster, Director of Public Health, introduced the report which provided the Committee with an update on the Council’s Covid-19 response and the delivery of the Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan.

The report detailed the key progress made since the last update on the seven priority areas of the Covid-19 Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan which had been the main focus during lockdown, these included:

·  Effective Surveillance;

·  Governance and Accountability;

·  Engagement and Communication;

·  High Risk Settings and Communities;

·  Local Testing;

·  Local Contact Tracing; and

·  Supporting Vulnerable People and Communities

Members were advised that the weekly infection data was still available on the Council’s website, and the data showed that there was widespread community transmission in Wirral, particularly in the 20-29 year old age group. The number of cases per day was approximately 30 in December but had increased to 537 on 4^th January resulting in an infection rate of 800 per 100,000 residents. The Director of Public Health outlined that whilst cases had started to reduce, the number of cases remained extremely high and the pressure on NHS and social care services remained significant.

It was reported that work was ongoing to ensure that once the national restrictions ended there was a smooth transmission into local arrangements, including robust contact tracing and the continued work of the outbreak management hub. Asymptomatic testing had been launched across the borough following the previous meeting, and members were advised that an appointment system had since been introduced to prioritise people going into work.

Members welcomed the current communications strategy and work of the Community Champions and expressed their gratitude to the Public Health team for their ongoing work.

RESOLVED – That

the report and progress made to date be noted and the ongoing Covid-19 response be supported.