(a)

cases of Covid 19 had been reducing in Plymouth since the peak of the wave which was around 19 January 2021, the rates were now approximately 30 per 100,000 in a week which had fallen from 330 per 100,000 when cases were calculated in January; the England average was currently 60 per 100,000 and the South West average was 33 per 100,000;

(b)

there were significant reductions in those admitted to hospital; the highest rates of cases tended to be in the younger working age population as many were out and about providing essential services during lockdown;

(c)

high rates of Covid 19 cases were apparent in Keyham, however cases in the Royal Navy showed up as Plymouth cases and this could be misleading; if cases developed on a ship when they would be in an isolated environment and there would be no exposure to the Plymouth residents;

(d)

the country had just passed the first milestone in opening up after the lockdown passed on 8 March 2021 – the ease of restriction dates were dependent on the data even though the roadmap had been set out. Key elements that were important over the next few months including vaccination, testing and following guidance;

(e)

the vaccination rollout was saving lives; nationally there was a reduction in deaths and hospitalisation in the over 80s and there was confidence that benefits would continue in all age-groups as the rollout continued;

(f)

testing was still being undertaken to ascertain if the vaccination was positively affecting the transmission of Covid-19 – it was highlighted that it may reduce transmission but wouldn’t take the figure down to zero;

(g)

the vaccination programme in Plymouth was in full flow and approximately 40% of adults in Plymouth had received the first dose of the vaccine; 95% of older adults in Plymouth were expected to have received the vaccine;

(h)

a clinic was set up to vaccinate 260 homeless individuals; a community champions programme had been launched to ensure that accurate information on the vaccination was provided, to dispel myths and to try to enable people to attend vaccinations by reducing practical obstacles which may prevent from attending an appointment;

(i)

those that considered they were eligible for the covid vaccination however had not received a letter asking them to make an appointment were able to ring 119 or go to the NHS website to book an appointment;

(j)

lateral flow testing kits were available for people that didn’t show symptoms however would still be able to spread the disease; these were rapid tests and results could be provided within 20 minutes to an hour; the Council had started a programme to facilitate testing and a pilot scheme was being undertaken in select locations;

(k)

it was imperative that guidance was followed whilst restrictions were being eased.