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.

Members were advised that the in the 7 days to 24 February 2021 there were 318 cases, with a 7 day incidence rate per 100,000 people reducing from 115 to 98 and the positivity rate reducing to 3.7%. Covid-19 admissions to Arrowe Park Hospital stood at 29 as of 1 March 2021, down from 42 the previous week and 279 as of 22 January 2021. The Director of Public Health welcomed the data moving in the right direction, but urged caution given that the case rate still remained at 98 per 100,000 residents and advised that she would wish to see that rate reduce to approximately 25 per 100,000 before any lockdown measures were eased.

The report further detailed the work being undertaken to support the easing of restrictions and the measures in place to deal with outbreaks. It was reported that the Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan was being updated and would be brought back to the Committee alongside a new testing strategy. Details of the vaccination programme within Wirral were also provided.

Members shared their positive experiences of the vaccination programme and expressed their thanks to the staff and volunteers involved. Further discussions were had around the use of lateral flow tests for care home visits and the uptake of vaccinations for the BAME community and care workers.

Resolved – That

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

2.  the Director of Public Health be requested to submit a report to a future meeting detailing the work being undertaken to support the Black and Minority Ethnic community in accessing Covid-19 vaccines.