Issue - items at meetings - Impact of Covid-19 in Enfield (6:40PM - 7:10PM)

Issue - meetings

Impact of Covid-19 in Enfield (6:40PM - 7:10PM)

Meeting: 10/03/2022 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 4)

4 Covid-19 Enfield Update pdf icon PDF 472 KB

i.          Epidemiology and outlook – PH Intelligence Team. Gayan Perera, PH Intelligence Team Manager

 

ii.         Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status – Des O’Donoghue, Brokerage and Market Development Manager, LB Enfield

 

iii.        Vaccination update (COVID and Influenza) – Dudu Sher-Arami, Director of Public Health, and Riyad Karim

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i.             Epidemiology and Outlook

 

RECEIVED the presentation, Enfield Covid-19 Dashboard, providing an update and analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Gayan Perera, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, on the latest infection rates in Enfield.

2.    Concern remained focussed around new variants. The most common variant at the moment Enfield was Omicron, but the numbers in respect of subvariant BA.2 were up recently.

3.    Hospitalisation numbers had gone down significantly.

4.    Most recent information set out on deaths, hospitalisations, testing, cases in schools, and vaccination numbers. Emerging themes included re-infections.

 

ii.            Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status

 

RECEIVED an update on care home vaccination status.

 

NOTED

 

5.    The update by Des O’Donoghue, LBE Service Manager – Community Services, of numbers of care home residents and staff vaccinated, and numbers who had received the booster.

 

iii.          Vaccination Update

 

RECEIVED the vaccination updates (flu and Covid) presented by Dudu Sher-Arami, Director of Public Health, LBE and Dr Emdadur Rahman, GP.

 

NOTED

 

6.    Targets were focussed on lower vaccination uptake groups and on young people. Offer of Covid vaccination continued for first, second and third doses, with good availability and accessibility in Enfield. Social media and communications activity continued, and funding had been sought for innovative projects and interventions to increase uptake.

7.    The next step in the Covid vaccination programme was vaccination of 5 – 11 year olds, from primary care sites, and offering the Spring booster to those eligible.

8.    GPs and pharmacies continued to offer flu jabs, and these could be administered at the same time as Covid vaccination.

9.    2021/22 performance for over-65s’ flu vaccine uptake was close to the best ever. There had also been an improvement in uptake by pregnant women.

10. Next season, the 50 – 64 year-old cohort and primary school children would not be included in flu vaccine plans.

 

IN RESPONSE

 

11. In response to the Chair’s queries, it was confirmed that the planned exclusion of the 50 – 64 year-old cohort for flu vaccination 2022/23 was a national directive and a return to the pre-pandemic offer. It was not expected to have a significant impact.

12. It was confirmed that comparable groups showed low uptake of all vaccines, and other healthcare testing and cancer screening. Work with those groups would be taken forward.

13. It was advised that the date for the Spring boosters would be directed by national protocol. Also, planning had begun for Autumn / Winter and preparation for vaccinations.

14. The Council was producing a review report on the impact of Covid-19 on Enfield, to include facts around care homes, testing, communications, logistical support etc, and lessons learned. The report would be submitted to a Scrutiny Panel and would be circulated to Board Members.

ACTION: Governance & Scrutiny

Post Meeting Note: The report ‘Managing the Covid-19 Pandemic: Interim Summary Report’ was submitted to Overview and Scrutiny Committee 21/03/22 (Item 4) and the link is Overview & Scrutiny Committee |  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4


Meeting: 02/12/2021 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 3)

3 Covid-19 and Other Winter Threats in Enfield Update pdf icon PDF 3 MB

i.          Epidemiology and outlook – PH Intelligence Team. Gayan Perera

 

ii.         Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status – Des O’Donoghue, Brokerage and Market Development Manager, LB Enfield

 

iii.        Vaccination update (COVID and Influenza) – Dudu Sher-Arami, Riyad Karim, Hetul Shah, Belinda Danso-Langley

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i.             Epidemiology and Outlook

 

RECEIVED the presentation, Enfield Covid-19 Dashboard, providing an update and analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Gayan Perera, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, on the latest infection rates in Enfield.

2.    Currently the main concern was the new Omicron variant. At the moment Enfield had no reported cases of the variant.

3.    Covid-19 cases were slightly increasing in number, but hospitalisations were low.

4.    Most recent information on deaths, hospitalisations, testing, cases in schools, and vaccination numbers.

 

ii.            Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status

 

RECEIVED an update presentation on care home vaccination status.

 

NOTED

 

5.    Introduction by Des O’Donoghue, LBE Service Manager – Community Services, of numbers of care home residents and staff vaccinated, and numbers who had received the booster.

6.    There had been a targeted approach to encourage vaccination uptake.

 

iii.          Vaccination Update

 

RECEIVED the vaccination update presented by Dudu Sher-Arami, Director of Public Health, LBE and Dr Hetul Shah, GP.

 

NOTED

 

7.    There was a focus on groups experiencing the lowest vaccination uptake.

8.    Rules and guidance were being amended in response to the Omicron variant. The vaccination programme was being expanded and accelerated. The delivery plan in Enfield would be worked on at the Enfield Phase 3 Covid and Flu ICP meeting next week.

 

IN RESPONSE

 

9.    In response to the Chair’s queries, it was confirmed that the number of tests happening, both PCR and LFT, were going up and this was anticipated to continue. The Government was also recommending people use an LFT test before attending activities involving others. There was capacity in laboratories to process the tests in a timely manner.

10. It was confirmed that many hospitalisations were in the clinically vulnerable, and the un- and under-vaccinated. The Chair asked for further information on hospitalisation in younger cohorts.


Meeting: 07/10/2021 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 3)

3 Covid-19 and Other Winter Threats in Enfield Update pdf icon PDF 594 KB

i.              Epidemiology and outlook – PH Intelligence Team. Gayan Perera, Darya Bordbar and Roseanna Kennedy-Smith

 

ii.            Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status – Des O’Donoghue, Brokerage and Market Development Manager, LBE

 

iii.           Vaccination update – Dudu Sher Arami, Riyad Karim, Hetul Shah

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i.             Epidemiology and Outlook

 

RECEIVED the presentation, Enfield Covid-19 Dashboard, providing an update and analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Gayan Perera, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, on the latest infection rates in Enfield. In the last week or so there had been a slightly increasing number of cases, mainly Delta variant, but hospitalisations and deaths were staying low.

2.    Most recent information on deaths, hospitalisations, cases in schools, and vaccination numbers. The main cohort currently at risk was the 0 – 29 age group.

 

ii.            Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status

 

RECEIVED the update presentation on care home vaccination status.

 

NOTED

 

3.    Introduction by Des O’Donoghue, LBE Service Manager – Community Services, of numbers of care home residents and staff vaccinated.

4.    Work was being done to support care homes and facilitate staff vaccinations by the Government deadline. It was confirmed that the rollout was on track and plans were in place to ensure homes were appropriately staffed.

 

iii.          Vaccination Update

 

RECEIVED the Covid vaccination update presented by Dr Hetul Shah, GP and Riyad Karim, Assistant Director of Primary Care, Enfield Borough NCL CCG.

 

NOTED

 

5.    Vaccination coverage in Enfield was good in the older population. Uptake was not yet at target in younger populations, some geographic communities, ethnic groups, and other communities experiencing inequality.

6.    Collaborative work continued on the flu, Covid-19, and booster vaccination campaigns. There had been an increase in the number of vaccination sites. The Enfield Phase 3 Covid and Flu Group were meeting every two weeks.

 

IN RESPONSE

 

7.    In response to Councillor Cazimoglu’s queries, assurance was given of the focus on both flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. There had been some logistical issues leading to some rearranged appointments, but GP practices and pharmacies were now giving flu jabs as soon as possible even if that meant patients going back again for Covid-19 boosters. It was important for the protection from flu to build. Covid-19 booster vaccinations could be given six months after the second dose. Where possible, both vaccinations could be safely given at the same time. The Chair also raised the importance of not leaving behind any vulnerable groups, including the housebound.

8.    It was confirmed that vaccination rates in 12 – 15 year olds were fairly low at the moment across the whole country. There was hesitancy in this group, and an impact from levels of sickness absence and isolation among school children. Further guidance was awaited on the 12 – 15 programme. Engagement work was being undertaken with parents and families. Catch-up clinics were planned during half term, at evenings and weekends.

9.    Andrew Wright on behalf of BEH agreed to circulate an update briefing to Board members to provide the latest assurance on access to the vaccines for key groups.


Meeting: 24/06/2021 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 3)

3 Covid-19 in Enfield Update pdf icon PDF 684 KB

i.              Epidemiology and outlook – PH Intelligence Team. Gayan Perera, Darya Bordbar and Roseanna Kennedy-Smith

 

ii.            Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status – Des O’Donoghue, Brokerage and Market Development Manager, LBE

 

iii.           Vaccination update – Dudu Sher Arami, Riyad Karim, Hetul Shah

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i.             Epidemiology and Outlook

 

RECEIVED the presentation, Enfield Covid-19 Dashboard, providing an update and analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Gayan Perera, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, on the latest infection rates in Enfield. In the last week or so there had been a slight rise with an increase in the Delta variant in particular.

2.    Most recent information on deaths, hospitalisations, cases in schools, and vaccination numbers. Even though there had been good vaccination uptake there were challenges in some localities and age groups.

 

ii.            Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status

 

RECEIVED the update presentation on care home vaccination status.

 

NOTED

 

3.    Introduction by Doug Wilson, LBE Health, Housing & Adult Social Care, of numbers of care home residents and staff vaccinated.

4.    Work was being done to encourage care home staff to take up the offer of vaccinations.

5.    There had been no Covid related deaths in care homes since January this year.

 

iii.          Vaccination Update

 

RECEIVED a Covid vaccination verbal update presented by Dudu Sher-Arami, Consultant in Public Health, Dr Hetul Shah, GP and Riyad Karim, NCL CCG.

 

NOTED

 

6.    The majority of work in communications and engagement was with specific communities in the East of the borough to bring up vaccination rates.

7.    There had been sustained collaboration working between a wide group of stakeholders and there were targeted plans in place leading up to 19 July, with a community centred approach.

 

IN RESPONSE

 

8.    The remarks of Bindi Nagra, LBE Director of Adult Social Care, responded to by Dr Hetul Shah. It was advised there was not a major issue around hospital discharge and unvaccinated patients. All vaccination sites had a robust patient recall system, and the gap between first and second vaccinations was shorter, and people called back sooner. Planning had also started for Winter in respect of the flu vaccination campaign and Covid vaccination boosters.

9.    In response to Councillor Cazimoglu’s queries, it was advised that there was plenty of vaccine and there had never been an issue with supply shortages or capacity in Enfield. For older age groups there had been the offer of vaccination for longer and it was getting more difficult to persuade remaining individuals. Communications work aimed to drive up demand. Vaccination sites were now more walk-in based than appointment based. Pop-up sites worked well. There was also now a greater choice of vaccine available to patients. There was availability of GPs on site to speak with people and allay their concerns. The Chair noted the importance of engaging with communities who were disproportionately affected by Covid.

10. It was confirmed that vaccination rates in care home staff were edging up. Dr Chitra Sankaran advised she was in touch with Council colleagues and had volunteered for one to one chats with care home staff.

11. Board members welcomed the partnership efforts in Enfield.


Meeting: 18/03/2021 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 3)

3 Covid-19 in Enfield Update pdf icon PDF 529 KB

i.              Epidemiology and outlook – PH Intelligence Team. Gayan Perera, Darya Bordbar and Roseanna Kennedy-Smith

(Paper To Follow - Attached)

 

ii.            Care home status, visiting support, and vaccination status – Des O’Donoghue, Brokerage and Market Development Manager, LBE

(Paper To Follow - Attached)

 

iii.           Vaccination update – Dudu Sher Arami, Riyad Karim, Hetul Shah

(Paper To Follow - Attached)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i.             Epidemiology and Outlook

 

RECEIVED the presentation, Enfield Covid-19 Dashboard, providing an update and analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Gayan Perera, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, on the latest infection rates in Enfield which were now quite low compared with other parts of London. Trends since last summer were shown.

2.    Most recent information on deaths and vaccinations.

3.    Distribution of cases across the borough was shown.

4.    The high levels of lateral flow testing in school children had not caused a surge in positive cases.

 

ii.            Care Home Vaccinations Update

 

RECEIVED the update presentation on care home vaccination status.

 

NOTED

 

5.    Introduction by Des O’Donoghue, LBE Service Manager, Community Services, of numbers of care home residents and staff vaccinated, and reasons given for non-vaccination.

6.    Work was being done to increase the take up of vaccinations.

7.    There had been no Covid related deaths in care homes since early January; the rate of infections had considerably lessened; and there had been excellent feedback in respect of visiting.

 

iii.          Vaccination Update

 

RECEIVED a Covid vaccination update presented by Dudu Sher-Arami, Consultant in Public Health, Roseanna Kennedy-Smith, Public Health Intelligence Team, Dr Hetul Shah, GP and Riyad Karim.

 

NOTED

 

8.    Timescales and current provision in Enfield were set out. Accurate data was available as of 12 March.

9.    There had been excellent collaboration working.

10. The target remained to vaccinate all over-50s by April and all over-18s by the end of July.

11. The average uptake in the borough was ahead of NCL counterparts.

12. A breakdown was provided of areas of low uptake and by ethnicity; and of decliners.

 

IN RESPONSE

 

13. The Chair raised the outreach work and events to encourage groups to accept the vaccination, including councillors coming together cross-party. It was confirmed this was having an impact, and that pop-up options such as Ponders End Mosque were proving popular.

14. In response to Councillor Cazimoglu’s queries, it was advised that adverse publicity had led to some refusals of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, but more recent announcements in respect of potential restrictions had then led to a surge of people seeking vaccinations. The priorities remained the groups set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and non-wastage of vaccines.

15. It was confirmed there was a large project in place in respect of delivering vaccination to housebound patients, and associated outreach work, and vaccination of paid and unpaid carers at the same time. Additionally, there was a mental health specialized vaccination hub.


Meeting: 03/12/2020 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 3)

3 Covid-19 in Enfield Update pdf icon PDF 2 MB

 

i.              Epidemiology and outlook – PH Intelligence Team. Gayan Perera, Darya Bordbar and Roseanna Kennedy-Smith

 

ii.            For information. Tiers and restrictions in Enfield – Sue McDaid, Head of Regulation Services & Corporate H&S LBE

 

iii.           Care home testing and visiting support at Christmas – Des O’Donoghue, Brokerage and Market Development Manager

 

iv.           School status report. – Peter Nathan, Director of Education LBE

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i.             Epidemiology and Outlook

 

RECEIVED the presentation, Enfield Covid-19 Dashboard, providing an update and analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Gayan Perera, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, on the latest infection rates in Enfield and rates per 100,000 people, which were on a decreasing trend but slightly higher than London and England rates. Enfield’s testing rates were also high.

2.    Most recent information on deaths and hospital admissions, and trends in care homes, domiciliary care, and schools.

3.    Distribution of cases across the borough was shown, and changes through August to the present time.

4.    The biggest risk factor was age and underlying conditions.

5.    In summary, overall trends were declining however there was concern about vulnerable communities.

 

ii.            Tiers and Restrictions in Enfield

 

RECEIVED the update presentation on Covid-19 enforcement and contact tracing.

 

NOTED

 

6.    The Chair’s confirmation that for consistency of messaging and the benefits of all the boroughs being aligned, London continuing to move as one in respect of the tier system was supported.

7.    Introduction by Sue McDaid, LBE Head of Regulatory Services, of work being done locally to support contact tracing and to check business compliance with Covid requirements.

8.    The move back into tier 2 / Covid alert level high would involve some slightly strengthened business requirements.

9.    It was confirmed that the system of fines for non-compliance was incremental and could be very high for businesses continuing to offend.

 

iii.          Care Home Testing and Visiting Support at Christmas

 

RECEIVED a verbal update presented by Doug Wilson, LBE Health, Housing and Adult Social Care.

 

NOTED

 

10. Over 60% of care homes in Enfield had outbreaks in April and a significant number of residents had died. Thankfully, infection rates and numbers of deaths were going down.

11. It was difficult to quantify, but there were significant impacts from restriction of physical visitations and contact with family members and their loved ones in care homes. Rapid testing kits had now been received to mobilise within days to enable physical visitations to resume.

12. Assurance was provided of the accuracy of rapid lateral flow tests, particularly if a negative result was shown.

13. Visitors to care homes would still be required to wear PPE and to socially distance. Homes were receiving guidance on the processes to be followed. Each care home must risk assess arrangements for visiting.

 

iv.          School Status Report

 

RECEIVED a briefing paper Covid and the re-opening of schools.

 

NOTED

 

14. The Chair would welcome regular testing for teachers and support staff in schools to help quicker return to work and therefore easing of pressure.

15. Introduction by Peter Nathan, LBE Director of Education, clarifying operation of schools, current infection rates, and the challenges faced.

16. It was likely there would be issues into the Spring term.

17. The regular briefings were extremely well attended. Procedures, including the risk assessment of every aspect of school life, had worked well and were kept under constant review.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3


Meeting: 01/10/2020 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 7)

7 Covid-19 in Enfield Update pdf icon PDF 665 KB

Gayan Perera, Darya Bordbar and Roseanna Kennedy-Smith of the Enfield PH Intelligence Team – presentation to follow.

 

London Borough of Enfield COVID19 Dashboard and Update on local and regional trends.

Minutes:

RECEIVED the presentation sent to follow providing an update and analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Roseanna Kennedy-Smith, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, on the latest case numbers in Enfield and rate per 100,000 people, which was in line with North Central London over the last few weeks.

2.    Calls to 111 and 999 had been increasing, but were still significantly below numbers seen in March and April.

3.    There had been increasing cases since August, the majority in the community, identified through swab testing, and a larger percentage in younger populations.

4.    Distribution of cases across the borough was shown. There was correlation of more deprived areas having more cases.

5.    Progress on locally supported contact tracing in Enfield was illustrated.

6.    Gayan Perera, LBE Public Health Intelligence Team, highlighted analysis of testing.

 

IN RESPONSE

 

7.    The Chair expressed concern over spread of the virus in a second wave, and recent reduction of testing capacity in London.

8.    Improvements to receipt of data in a more systematic way was welcomed.


Meeting: 16/07/2020 - Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 4)

4 Impact of Covid-19 in Enfield pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Darya Bordbar and Roseanna Kennedy-Smith of the Enfield PH Intelligence Team – to note

 

i.              Summary of recent PHE reports with findings and recommendations.

ii.            An assessment of the local impact of Covid-19.

iii.           Impact of Covid-19 upon specific groups in the borough.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RECEIVED the summary of recent Public Health England (PHE) reports and an analysis of Covid-19 related data in Enfield from LBE Public Health Intelligence.

 

NOTED

 

1.    Introduction by Stuart Lines, Director of Public Health, that so far it was known that there had been a disproportionate effect on different communities, and this was an exposure of inequalities that had been there for a long time.

2.    PHE had produced two reports; on the disparities in the risk and outcomes of Covid-19, and on understanding the impact of Covid-19 on BAME groups. The largest disparity was that older people were more affected, especially older men. The risk was higher in BAME groups than in white ethnic groups. Long term health conditions made people more vulnerable and were associated with worse outcomes. Housing conditions and types of work also affected vulnerability.

3.    The second report made a number of recommendations. An approach was being developed at the local level to ensure vulnerable communities were being adequately protected. The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy related to this, and the recommendations were part of the restart of the Integrated Care Programme.

4.    An overview of Covid-19 related data in Enfield was provided by Roseanna Kennedy-Smith and Darya Bordbar, Public Health Intelligence Specialists, including slides to illustrate:

  current trends;

  a longitudinal analysis, showing the peak number of cases (38) was on 16/4/20;

  cumulative cases by ward;

  shielding residents’ numbers by ward;

  excess mortality, against the 2014 – 2018 average;

  characteristics of those who died, sourced from death certificate data and ethnicity detected via Origins software;

  Covid-19 deaths by ward excluding care homes, showing close correspondence with the most deprived wards.

 

IN RESPONSE

 

5.    Officers were thanked for the detailed data which went further than national data and was very helpful to understand the situation in Enfield and to plan for the winter.

6.    The significance of the large number of care homes (not just for the elderly but also for people with learning disabilities and with mental illness) in Enfield was highlighted, noting that there was still not regular mass testing, or a national PPE distribution scheme for adult social care.

 

AGREED that Health and Wellbeing Board noted the information on impact of Covid-19 in Enfield.