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Somerset is at “Medium” local Covid alert level

We’ve put together this article to help you understand what that means.

Government Medium alert level

What do local COVID alert levels mean?

Local COVID alert levels set out information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak in their area.

It lets you know what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in each local COVID alert level.

You can find out the alert level of your local area by using your postcode on the government’s website. Somerset is at ‘medium’ alert.

There’s also an interactive map of the UK to show what rules apply where.

Why is the government introducing local COVID alert levels?

The government wants to make sure the right levels of intervention are made in the right places to manage coronavirus outbreaks.

They’ve simplified and standardised local rules so it’s easier for everyone to understand what they can and can’t do, depending on how prevalent coronavirus is in their area.

There are now three local COVID alert levels: medium, high and very high.

Somerset is ‘medium local COVID alert level’. What does that mean?

Medium alert level areas are subject to the national restrictions that continue to be in place.

This means:

  • you must not socialise in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors (other than where a legal exemption applies)
  • businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law
  • certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10.00pm and 5.00am
  • businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10.00pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
  • schools and universities remain open
  • places of worship remain open, subject to the rule of six
  • weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees
  • exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors, or indoors if the rule of six is followed.

You must:

You should continue to:

  • follow social distancing rules
  • work from home where you can effectively do so
  • when travelling, plan ahead or avoid busy times and routes. Walk or cycle if you can.

Full guidance on the restrictions in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in an area where the local COVID alert level is medium is available on the government website.

Somerset School Children are set to help fight flu

 

Somerset County Council is urging all parents and carers of school aged children to return their flu consent form and help children become ‘flu fighters’ this winter.

All schools should have issued information about the flu vaccination to parents and carers of eligible children and young people asking them to fill in an online form to give their consent.

If parents/carers haven’t already completed the form, Somerset County Council’s public health teams urge them to complete it – and give their consent.

With COVID-19 also circulating in communities this winter, catching flu and Coronavirus together is even more likely to lead to severe illness, hospitalisation and sadly death.

Therefore, it is more important than ever to reduce the chance of becoming ill with flu this winter, reduce the chance of spreading it to others – and help protect the NHS.

For most people flu is horrible, but not life threatening. However, for those in certain ‘at risk’ groups, flu can be deadly. Many of us will carry the flu virus without showing symptoms and could unknowingly pass it on to the most vulnerable.

The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS and has already started to be rolled out through the schools vaccination programme this year. It is available to:

  • All primary school children (reception to year 6)
  • All year 7 in secondary school
  • Children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions

The vaccine is being administered to school children by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust school-aged immunisation nursing team (SAINT), a dedicated team of qualified nurses and support staff. The team have started visiting schools across the County giving children the flu vaccination via a nasal spray.

School visits will look a little different this year, nurses will be wearing protective masks and clothing and adhering to strict hygiene rules. The team have produced a video to show what measures have been put in place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdqeuH97_aU&feature=youtu.be

Suzy Mason, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s school aged nursing immunisation team leader, said: “Flu is a serious condition that kills on average 11,000 people in England each year and hospitalises many more.

“And it’s now easier than ever to consent for your child to receive their flu vaccination with our new online system.

“Our team is working with every school to ensure we are able to provide safe and effective vaccination sessions for children in Somerset.

“If you are a parent and have missed the deadline for consent and the school session has passed, we are offering sessions in the community.”

Councillor Clare Paul, Somerset County Council member responsible for health and wellbeing, said: “Children are known to be flu ‘super-spreaders’. By vaccinating children and young people, we know we can reduce the amount of flu going around.

“This year we have Coronavirus. Catching the two viruses together could be very serious.  So, it is more important than ever to get your child vaccinated, particularly if they have regular contact with older relatives or others with an underlying health condition.”

For more information or to find out when the team is visiting your school visit the Healthy Somerset website at: https://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/flu/more-information-on-vaccination-in-somerset-schools/ .The site also has some fun resources which you can use to explain to your child why it is important to get the flu vaccination.

Information about planned school sessions and contact information for the SAINT team can be found at: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/saints-school-age-immunisation-team/somerset-school-aged-immunisation-nursing-team-saint/flu-vaccination-programme/

Apply now for 2021 school places

Apply now for 2021 school places

Somerset parents are being urged to apply for school places online and in time.

Whether your child is starting school for the first time, or transferring to their next school, applications need to be made through Somerset County Council’s website: www.somerset.gov.uk/admissions

The deadline for parents to submit applications for secondary school places is Saturday, 31 October 2020. This applies to all children moving from primary to secondary school, or middle to upper school, in September 2021.

The deadline for primary school place submissions is Friday, 15 January 2021. This applies to all children starting school for the first time in September 2021, as well as those moving between infant and junior or first and middle school.

Although reminder text messages and letters will be sent to parents on the Council’s database who have not yet applied, the responsibility for getting applications in on time lies with parents and guardians.

Councillor Faye Purbrick, Cabinet Member for Education and Transformation at Somerset County Council, said: “Due to Coronavirus, many schools are holding events or promoting information online rather than traditional open days. I urge parents and carers to check schools’ websites or social media for further information. This can help them decide where they would like to attend next year and which three schools they will include in their application.

“It’s an important decision and I would urge everyone to submit three preferences, including their local school as one of those preferences. In recent years, some applications have only included one preference for a non-local school.

“If demand is high for that single school, it can mean that students and parents must wait longer for a confirmed placement at a different school, making the experience all together more stressful. Once you have chosen your three schools, it is essential that applications are submitted before the deadline to avoid risking missing out on a preferred place.

“31 October is the deadline for those transferring to secondary or upper schools next year and 15 January for those starting primary school for the first time.  I’d encourage all students, parents and guardians to start looking at what is involved and which schools they are interested in now.”

All schools have been reminded of the application deadlines and asked to send information to parents within newsletters. As well as linking to an online application form, the webpage www.somerset.gov.uk/admissions holds a wealth of related information including a directory of schools, catchment areas and admissions policy.

Last year’s school admissions figures show that 98.27 per cent of the 5,660 Somerset children who entered primary school were offered one of their top three choices. 93.07 per cent received their first choice.

98.19 per cent of the 4,595 Somerset children going to secondary school were offered one of their top three choices. 93.56 per cent received their first choice.