Minutes:
The Director for Service Delivery gave a presentation on the current COVID-19 situation and the Council’s response, beginning with an update on local cases.
The Director for Service Delivery advised the meeting that the COVID-19 infection rate in Surrey for the week ending 12 October was 432.4 per 100,000, higher than the national rate of 391.8 per 100,000 and the South East rate of 380.0 per 100,000, while Guildford’s rate was 369.1 per 100,000. He added that that Guildford’s rate had recently increased to 443.6 per 100,000. The Director for Service Delivery advised that in the previous week there had been 5,188 new cases in Surrey, of which 555 were in Guildford. The meeting was informed that as at 17 October there were 2,994 registered COVID-related deaths in Surrey, with 254 in Guildford.
The Director for Service Delivery updated the Committee on two key COVID-19 issues: vaccination and testing; and returning to the Council office. The meeting was advised that cases were highest amongst the 10-19 year olds followed by the 40-49 year olds, which could indicate infection spreading from the 10-19 year olds to their parents. In addition, the Director for Service Delivery indicated that COVID-19 cases were mainly associated with schools and leisure facilities. The Director for Service Delivery indicated that vaccination rates were improving across the Borough and analysis of the vaccination data was undertaken by Public Health at Surrey County Council and resources allocated to areas of concern. In addition, the meeting was advised that Surrey Heartlands CCG were employing a children’s and young person vaccination lead to address vaccination hesitancy in young people.
With reference to the government guidelines for care homes that were coming into force on 11 November, the Director for Service Delivery advised that Surrey County Council reported 97% of residents, staff or agency workers in homes in Guildford had received their first and second COVID vaccination.
The Director for Service Delivery advised the Committee members of the Council’s agile working policy and the expectation that staff would be in the office at least 50% of the time. He noted that operational services had been maintained throughout the pandemic and staff had continued to come into work to deliver services throughout the pandemic.
In response to a question from a Committee member about the COVID-19 infection rates among teachers, schoolchildren, and students, the Senior Specialist Public Health indicated that information about positive test locations and premises was shared with the Council by Public Health at Surrey County Council. The Head of Environment & Regulatory Services advised the meeting that support was provided by Public Health at Surrey County Council for schools with a COVID outbreak.
In reply to a question, the Senior Specialist Public Health undertook to ask for the uptake of booster vaccinations in the Borough.
In reply to a question about rising infection rates in the Borough and the policy requirement for staff to return to the Council offices, the Director for Service Delivery confirmed that the agile working policy would be kept under review.
The Chair thanked officers for attending and answering questions.