86% of borough's priority groups have received at least one vaccine

Date published: 09 April 2021

A staggering 86% of people in the first nine priority groups across the Rochdale borough have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as of Friday (9 April).

A third of people over the age of 70 in Greater Manchester have received their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as infection rates continue to fall.

Residents in the Rochdale borough in groups one to nine, which includes everyone aged 50 and over, can phone or email to book an appointment for their first dose of a vaccine.

Residents aged 50 or over, those who have been advised to shield by the government (the clinically extremely vulnerable), people over 16 with long term conditions, carers and health and social care workers who have not yet received an invitation for a vaccine, and are registered with a GP in the borough (Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow and Rochdale), can book an appointment at one of the four vaccination centres in the borough by calling 0300 303 0355 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm) or emailing hmrccg.hmr.enquiries@nhs.net.

 

Progress of local vaccination programme

Steve Rumbelow, Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council, has outlined the next roadmap steps as well as help and support for families in the Easter holidays.

In his weekly update to councillors, Mr Rumbelow said: “The next major milestone on the roadmap out of lockdown takes place on Monday (12 April) when all non-essential retail, including hairdressers and other personal care services, re-open for the first times since January.

“Pubs may also serve alcohol outside from Monday but at this stage we expect many will choose to remain closed. The council is providing a range of practical support to those that are opening and we also continue to promote all our town centres.

“We are reminding residents and visitors of their role in ensuing our public spaces are safe and how we all have our part to play in helping kick-start our local economy.

“Gyms can also re-open and Link4Life is preparing to welcome members back to our leisure centres. Initially this will be for members only and restricted to individual use.

“Schools are still on Easter holidays. During term time they have been coping with the new testing requirements. It has been a tremendous effort from them and our school testing figures are among the highest in Greater Manchester. Cases in schools have fluctuated this term but this week we have seen a drop in cases which is encouraging. We have the second highest rate of testing in our schools in GM which is also really pleasing. It’s only through testing that we will find cases and stop the spread. It is important households with school children in them keep up the habit of regular testing over half-term.

“Families whose children are eligible for free school meals, those who are involved with children’s social care and care leavers have been supported again this holiday period with a £30 Aldi food voucher per child. We have received messages from families acknowledging the difference this is making in helping make ends meet.

“We have commenced our holiday activities and food programme which will operate over the next two weeks and will expand further in the summer holidays.

“There are no issues of concern to report regarding the adult care sector. Vaccination of care home staff is continuing and progressing well. As it stands, around 86% of staff have received at least one dose.

“Finally, Ramadan Mubarak to those of you who are observing the month of fasting and prayer which begins next week. We will be issuing advice and information for our residents about staying safe and well over the next few weeks."

 

 

Pop up vaccination clinics

Further pop-up clinics are being planned for areas with lower take-up. No further dates and locations have been confirmed yet but these are likely to be in Middleton and Kirkholt but the lowest take-up rates remain in areas of central Rochdale

The clinics have been set up to administer a first dose of vaccine to people in the following groups who are registered with a GP practice in the borough (Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow or Rochdale).

anyone aged 50 and above

anyone 18-49 year olds with a chronic health condition (e.g. diabetes)

No appointment is required but you must bring ID if you are over 50 or a list of current medication for anyone under 50 with a chronic health condition. Privacy areas are available for men and women with both male and female vaccinators as well as translators to assist if needed.

 

 

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Case numbers in the borough have fallen once again. Please note, the figure may be affected by the bank holiday weekend with fewer people being tested, and it may increase following the return of schools and the reopening of non-essential retail and outdoor drinking in pubs next week.

The rate for the Rochdale borough for the week ending 3 April is 70 cases per 100,000 people, down from 102 cases per 100,000 the week before. There were an averageof 63.5 cases per 100,000 people across Greater Manchester in the week ending 3 April, down from 91.8 the week before.

All boroughs recorded a significant drop in positive Covid test results during the same period, though the overall infection rate is still higher than the national average of 36.6 cases per 100,000 people.

The age group with the most new cases in the Rochdale borough is 10-19 year-olds and the wards with the most cases include Balderstone & Kirkholt, Castleton, Central Rochdale, Kingsway, and West Middleton.

 

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Who is eligible for vaccination?

Phase 2 of the vaccination programme will be prioritised in order of age, once all at-risk groups in phase 1 have been offered at least one dose.

The priority groups that are in phase 1 of the vaccination programme include everyone aged 50 or above, those with underlying health conditions and health care workers.

• everyone aged 50 or over
• residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
• frontline health and social care workers
• high risk people aged 16 and over (the clinically extremely vulnerable)
• people over 16 with long term conditions and carers (the main carer of an elderly or disabled person)

The number of people in the Rochdale borough included in phase 1 is believed to be around 120,000.

 

 

Lifting lockdown

The next stage of relaxing lockdown restrictions began on Monday (12 April), with more restrictions due to be lifted next month, and then every five weeks going forward.

Non-essential shops, hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons and indoor leisure facilities (such as swimming pools and gyms) have reopened and hospitality venues can open for outdoor service, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcohol, and no curfew.

The number of visitors permitted to visit care home residents has been increased to two per resident, and all children can attend indoor children’s activities.

However, there are no changes to the social contact rules and many restrictions are still in place. Outdoor gatherings are still limited to six people or two households and meeting up indoors with anyone you do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with is not yet permitted - this will not be permitted until 17 May at the earliest.

People should continue to work from home where they can, and minimise domestic travel where they can. International holidays are still illegal.
 

Read more: Here's what you can do from today with easing of lockdown restrictionsPublished: 12 April 2021

 

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Where to be vaccinated?

The borough has four community vaccination centres in operation; the site at Number One Riverside can get up to 1,250 vaccinations completed per day (depending on supply). Vaccinations are also being administered at Rochdale Infirmary five days a week.

Residents may be invited to have the vaccination at the Greater Manchester NHS Vaccination Centre at the Etihad Campus in East Manchester, one of the national large-scale vaccination sites.

The Greater Manchester centre is an additional option for people, who, once they have been contacted to make an appointment, can book through the national booking service online or over the phone. If it is not convenient for you to travel so far for a vaccination, you can opt to wait to be invited to attend one of the local vaccination centres in the Rochdale borough instead.

The local vaccination programme is being run by groups of GPs with the support of the council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

When it is your turn to receive the vaccine, you will be contacted by Rochdale Health Alliance or your GP surgery and invited to go for your appointment. If you’re not registered with a GP, you will need to register with one.

You must have an appointment to receive the vaccine. You cannot just turn up at one of the vaccination service centres.

Answers to key questions around the vaccination process can be found at:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine

 

 

A FAST test programme was set up in the borough in January, with four test sites across the borough.

Anyone who cannot work from home or comes into regular contact with the public is encouraged to take up this offer of new Find And Stop Transmission (FAST) testing to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other residents.

The FAST testing programme, which use lateral flow tests, aims to identify those who unknowingly have the virus as they have no symptoms – otherwise known as asymptomatic.

FAST tests are only for people showing no symptoms. You must not attend if you have any symptoms. Tests are free and there is no need to book you can simply turn up at one of the sites across the borough:

Rochdale – Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN

• Mon to Thurs 9am - 5pm
• Fri 10am - 6pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Heywood – York House Surgery, York Street, Heywood, OL10 4NN

• Mon 10am - 6pm
• Tues to Fri 9am - 5pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Middleton – Bowlee Sports Centre, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 4LA

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Littleborough – Hare Hill Bowling Club, Townhouse Road Littleborough, OL15 9BG

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Every Monday (except Easter Monday) at Alkrington Community Centre, Hardfield Rd, Middleton, M24 1TQ – Open 11am to 6pm.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do not attend one of the FAST test sites. You should book a test online or by phoning 101.

• www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

 

 

The borough has three local test centres:

• Rochdale - in the car park at Rochdale Leisure Centre, Entwisle Road, Rochdale OL16 2HZ
• Middleton - in the marquee on the Market Place Car Park next to Middleton Arena, Old Hall Street, Middleton M24 1AG
• Heywood - Heywood Civic Centre, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW

You must drive, walk or cycle to the site - do not use a taxi or public transport. If this is not possible, you'll need to order yourself a home test.

Bookings for 8am-1pm can be booked from 8pm the night before. Bookings from 1pm-8pm can be booked from 10am that day.