To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Service Director for Finance or Head of Legal Services;

The Director of Public Health provided an update on the current situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic:

·       Since the last meeting rates had fallen. Current rates in Plymouth were 50 per 100,000 per week, 75 per 100,000 per week South West average and 121 per 100,000 per week England average.

·       Plymouth’s rates were in the bottom 5% of all local authority areas.

·       Lowest levels that had been reached in winter months with the current lockdown levels, expected that a natural plateau had now been reached.

·       Devon CCG had reported good progress with the vaccination program and plans were underway for the 65-70 and under 65s with underlying conditions.

·       Over 95% of over 70s had been vaccinated.

·       Data was showing that the vaccines were successful in reducing the effects of COVID19, even from the first injection, but this does take time to build immunity.

·       The Prime Minister would announce plans for the upcoming months at 7pm on Monday 22 February 2021 with tests that must be met in order to continue easing lockdown restrictions.

·       Although it was positive that we were moving towards restrictions being lifted and more people were being vaccinated every day, restrictions were still in place and people must remember to follow the hands, face and space guidance.

·       Schools should be returning on 8th March 2021.

·       Teams were working on optimising movement of people through vaccination centres safely.

·       The launch a community champions programme to ensure that communities were getting the information on vaccinations that they need, tackling misinformation.

·       Production of a vaccination toolkit for Councillor’s with clear information for signposting.