Covid-19 Briefing - Wednesday 5 January 2022

School return and testing

As schools across Inverclyde return tomorrow (Thursday 6 January 2022) the Council is asking all staff and secondary pupils to take a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test before coming back and continue to test regularly to help limit the spread of #COVID19. For further advice on returning to school is published at: https://www.gov.scot/news/returning-to-school-safely/

Self-isolation grants

Council officers are encouraging people applying for self-isolation support grants to continue to contact them. They have been dealing with a backlog of grant applications and issues with telephones in the council today (5 January 2022) but are encouraging people to keep getting in touch for support self-isolating. More information is available at: https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/self-isolation-support-grant  

Changes to Covid self-isolation

Covid self-isolation rules have been changed by the Scottish Government. The changes applies to those who test positive for covid and will take effect from midnight tonight.

While the initial advice when someone tests positive will still be to self-isolate for 10 days, there will now be an option to end isolation after seven days as long as you, firstly, have no fever and, secondly, you record two negative lateral flow tests, one no earlier than day six after testing positive and another at least 24 hours after that.

The second change applies to close contacts of positive cases – and this includes household contacts - who are either under the age of 18 years four months or who are older than that and fully vaccinated (first, second and booster or third doses).

For close contacts in these categories the requirement to self-isolate will end and be replaced by a requirement to take a lateral flow test every day for seven days. If one of these tests is positive, self-isolation will then be required. Anyone identified as a close contact who is over 18 years and four months and not fully vaccinated will still be asked to self-isolate for 10 days and to take a PCR test.

Attached is a word document which lists questions and answers about the self-isolation changes.

Changes to PCR testing

People who have Covid symptoms should still book a PCR test. However from tomorrow (Thursday 6 January 2022), if you do not have symptoms and get a positive result using a lateral flow device (LFD) test, you do not have to book a PCR test.

People should immediately isolate and report their results online so that contact tracing can begin.

Compliance self-assessment tool

Businesses can use a compliance self-assessment tool to undertake regular self-assessment of the measures they have in place to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. This self-assessment tool will guide businesses through the necessary steps and questions workplaces should be considering.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index.htm?utm_source=hse.gov.uk&utm_medium=refferal&utm_campaign=risk&utm_content=home-page-info

Cancellation Fund for Creative Freelancers

Creative Scotland has announced that applications for the COVID-19 Cancellation Fund for Creative Freelancers will open at 2pm on Thursday 6 January 2022. This fund is to support creative freelancers working in the arts, screen and creative sectors who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income because of cancellations and deferrals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/covid-cancellation-fund

Reminder: Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing

Regularly taking LFD tests before going out, going to work or meeting with others is important to minimise the spread of Covid 19. Lateral flow devices are available online for home delivery and are available from community pharmacies and local testing sites.

A limited supply lateral flow device test kits are available to pick up at

  • Greenock – Aldi; B&M; Club 3000 Bingo; Key Store, Cathcart Street; Lidl; Morrisons; The Range.
  • Port Glasgow – Aldi; B&M; B&Q; Lidl; Town Hall Vaccination Centre.
  • Gourock – Cardwell Garden Centre.

Lateral flow tests are also available from community pharmacies.

It is important if you take a lateral flow device test that you record the information with the NHS (the pack shows you how to do this). This helps them to track to rate of infection across the country.

Check your symptoms: https://www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides/self-help-guide-coronavirus-covid-19/  
Coronavirus testing: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-testing