62,517 people in the borough have received second Covid-19 vaccination

Date published: 14 May 2021

More than 62,000 people in the Rochdale borough have now received their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and over 111,000 people in the borough have also received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The number of positive cases in the borough has increased in the past seven days by 28%, to 47 cases per 100,000 people but local officials have said that it is likely to be connected to the recent relaxation of restrictions and 'what we would expect to see'.

The national vaccination programme has moved on to people aged 38 and 39 with invitiations being sent out by text to people in that age group to use the online booking system.

 

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Progress of local vaccination programme

In his weekly update, chief executive of Rochdale Council, Steve Rumbelow informed councillors that the seven-day average had risen over the past week, believed to be in connection to the recent relaxations and reopenings and 'what we would expect to see'.

He said that the number of local cases is not believed to be linked to Bolton, which currently has the second highest rate in the country, but that we should all follow the Covid-rules to limit the rate of transmission.

Mr Rumbelow said: “Bolton’s situation is largely due to the presence of a new variant of the disease which appears to transmit faster between people, although the science on this is still emerging and the rate of transmission is also influenced by individual behaviours, so it remains important that we all continue to follow the covid ‘rules’.

“Most cases were initially related to foreign travel, specifically India, which is why the strain of the virus has become known as the ‘Indian variant’. It is not yet known if it causes more serious illness or is resistant to vaccines.”

The chief executive noted that these increases are also being seen in other parts of the country, including parts of Lancashire, where vaccinations are now being offered to anyone aged over 18.

Greater Manchester has also submitted a request to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for this to happen here but Mr Rumbelow says local powers could be used to vaccinate younger people 'if there is a clinical need'.

He continued: “Although rising cases may seem alarming most vulnerable of our residents who are more likely to suffer serious illness have now been vaccinated. It does, however, demonstrate the importance of remaining vigilant and following the guidance, including social distancing.

“The number of covid patients in our hospitals is continuing to fall with now only sporadic admissions. Non-covid work is, however, beginning to overwhelm the system and our colleagues in acute services say that patient levels are similar to those seen in mid-winter.”

Almost all (94 per cent) of residents aged 70 and over have received at least one dose and the figure for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable is 83 per cent.

Seventy-nine per cent of care home residents and 41 per cent of staff have now had their second doses. Two settings are closed due to outbreaks and the council has been notified of its first permanent closure of a home due to covid pressures. The council’s failure procedures have been enacted for the home, which was 50 per cent occupied.

 

Pop-up clinic

A pop-up clinic will be held at Deeplish Community Centre on Thursday 20 May as central Rochdale remains the area with the lowest take-up of the vaccine.

The clinic will be for anyone aged 40 and over and no appointment is required. It will be for first doses only and people must be registered with a local GP. As before, privacy areas and translators will be available.

The pop-up clinic will take place between 1pm and 3pm on Thursday 20 May.

 

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Case numbers in the borough have risen in the past seven days. The rate for the Rochdale borough for the week ending 7 May is 46 cases per 100,000 people, up from 33 cases per 100,000 the week before. There were an average of 41.6 cases per 100,000 people across Greater Manchester in the week ending 6 May, up from 35.4 the week before.

 

 

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Residents aged 38 and over can now book appointments for vaccinations through the NHS booking service.

Phase 2 of the vaccination programme is now underway and people in England aged 38 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 38 or over, you can now have the Covid vaccinePublished: 13 May 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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Lifting lockdown

The latest stage of relaxing lockdown restrictions will take effect on Monday 17 May, with more restrictions due to be lifted next month.

Six people or two households will be permitted to meet indoors. Pubs and restaurants will reopen indoors as well as cinemas, children's activity centres, hotels, theatres and sports stadiums.

Organised indoor sport and fitness classes will be able to take place for all.

All holiday accommodation will be open (including hotels and B&Bs). This can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households.

The number of people permitted at funerals will no longer be limited to 30 people, but will be determined by how many people the Covid-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing. Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events will be increased to 30 people.

The number of visitors permitted to visit care home residents will be increased to five per resident (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for Covid-19.
 

Read more: What you can do from Monday 17 MayPublished: 14 May 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