44,290 people in the borough have received second Covid-19 vaccination

Date published: 30 April 2021

More than 44,000 people in the Rochdale borough have now received their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as of Thursday (29 April).

Over 104,400 people in the borough have also received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

In his weekly update, chief executive of Rochdale Council, Steve Rumbelow informed councillors that the number of Covid patients in local hospitals had fallen to single figures and that there are now just three people on ventilators.

 

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Residents aged 40 and over can now book appointments through the NHS booking service.

Phase 2 of the vaccination programme is now underway and people in England aged 40 and over can now book appointments at one of the national large-scale vaccination sites through the NHS booking service.
 

Read more: If you're 40 or over, you can now have the Covid vaccinePublished: 30 April 2021

 

Residents in the Rochdale borough in groups one to nine, which includes everyone aged 50 and over, who have not yet had their first dose of a vaccine can phone or email to book.

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 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.

 

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Progress of local vaccination programme

In a weekly update to councillors, chief executive of Rochdale Borough Council, Steve Rumbelow, confirmed that the borough’s infection rate has continued to decrease and most cases of Covid-19 can be linked to international travel and public-facing occupations.

He said: “The borough’s infection rate continues to fall and was 33 cases per 100,000 people on 24 April, which means the rate has halved over the past four weeks. We are now the sixth highest in Greater Manchester and seeing about 10 cases per day.

“The rate among our over 60s has fallen to 10 cases per 100,000 people and in our Asian community to 60.3. Most cases are being found in people aged between 10 and 19-years-old.”

The number of covid patients in hospitals in the north-east sector of Greater Manchester has fallen to single figures and there are now just three people on ventilators. While covid numbers continue to fall, the number of people attending hospitals for non-covid issues is still increasing with some sites seeing up to 200 people a day, which is a similar level to what hospitals would see in early January – one of their busiest times.

Mr Rumbelow continued: “The local vaccination programme is, for now, still focussed on second doses. There have now been 104,472 first doses administered and 44,298 second doses with only 10% of the first four priority groups remaining.

“Take-up of the AstraZeneca vaccine has dropped off, which is a national issue and may be linked to concerns over blood clots. To reiterate, the risk is incredibly low, and the UK's independent regulator has said that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks for the vast majority of adults.

“There are reports that some people have been experiencing difficulties booking appointments at the national vaccination site in Manchester and are instead being offered spaces at clinics further afield. This is linked to supply issues and is being looked at by NHS North West.

“Some people will, of course, be willing and able to travel further but those who cannot should continue to wait for a local appointment.

“For the second week in a row there have been no cases in any of our nurseries, and all group settings are open. Testing among secondary school pupils (who are still being asked to carry out two tests every week) has picked up again after the Easter holidays and is the highest in Greater Manchester.

“There were 17 cases from a total of 38,000 pupils last week, which is encouraging, and we have not yet seen a spike this week. Attendance is still good with more than 90% of pupils in classes this week.”

So far this month Action Together has distributed more than 6,000 items through the Food Solutions Warehouse and 1,154 care packs to residents through 35 local support organisations.

Mr Rumbelow continued: “There is an increased demand from families for support and partners will be doing further promotion to encourage public donations.

“The number of covid reports police are receiving is continuing to decrease as calls about other problems like antisocial behaviour increase. Police are continuing to patrol our beauty spots and popular locations over the next couple of weeks but activity has dropped off and there are no issues to report.”

To date Rochdale Borough Council has made 715 restart grant payments totalling £5,211,385 and they continue to be paid daily.

“This represents approximately 60% of the potential eligible businesses. There is some anecdotal evidence that businesses have not yet applied because they are not going to re-open or they have not yet re-opened. The grants are still being promoted through our communications channels and via our other links to businesses,” explained Mr Rumbelow.

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Case numbers in the borough have fallen again for the third week in a row. The rate for the Rochdale borough for the week ending 24 April is 32.8 cases per 100,000 people, down from 41.4 cases per 100,000 the week before. There were an average of 34.9 cases per 100,000 people across Greater Manchester in the week ending 23 April, down from 37.4 the week before.

 

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Who is eligible?

Phase 2 of the vaccination programme is being prioritised in order of age, now that 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.

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

 

 

Lifting lockdown

The latest stage of relaxing lockdown restrictions began on Monday 12 April, with more restrictions due to be lifted next month.

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; in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough. These local sites are run by groups of GPs with the support of the council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group. Vaccinations are also being administered at Rochdale Infirmary.

There are also 11 large scale vaccination centres and 38 pharmacy led sites across the North West that residents can book through the national booking service online or over the phone.

The national booking system can not be used to book in at any of the local vaccination hubs within the borough. If it is not convenient for you to travel out of the borough for a vaccination, you can opt to wait to be invited to attend one of the local vaccination centres in the Rochdale borough instead.

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

 

 

The local FAST test programme has 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.

As part of the national roadmap out of restrictions, the government is asking the public to take-up twice weekly FAST testing. This is quick and easy to do and you will be playing your part in helping to stop the spread of the virus, while teams work on the vaccine rollout.

You can take part at your local FAST testing site or through community collect packs.
 

Read more: Covid-19 testing packs available across the boroughPublished: 21 April 2021

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.

 

 

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.

• www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test