COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan - Hertfordshire County ...
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COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
Foreword
Cllr Lewis Cocking,
This Local Outbreak Plan builds on existing health protection plans and Leader of Broxbourne Borough Council
puts in place measures to contain any outbreak and protect the public’s Cllr Andrew Williams,
health. Hertfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health is Leader of Dacorum Borough Council
responsible for defining the measures required to do this. Cllr Linda Haysey,
Leader of East Herts Council
It is intended to enable agencies in We need residents, businesses, workplaces, Cllr Morris Bright,
Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council
Hertfordshire, including all of our councils - schools and care settings to keep these
including district and boroughs, the NHS, preventive measures up until we have finally Cllr Martin Stears-Handscomb,
businesses, voluntary agencies and the stopped this virus circulating. Leader of North Herts District Council
county council - to work together to prevent, Cllr Chris White,
manage, reduce and suppress outbreaks of Residents of Hertfordshire rose to the
Leader of St Albans City and District
COVID-19 infection across the county. challenge of COVID-19 by adhering to the Council
key measures that would stop the spread
It sets out the arrangements for surveillance of the virus: social distancing, regular hand Cllr Sharon Taylor,
of and response to local outbreaks and washing, cleaning surfaces which could be Leader of Stevenage Borough Council
infection rates. Some of these (such as contaminated, self-isolating if they had Cllr Sara Bedford,
work in Care Homes) are already in Place. symptoms and more. Without our residents Leader of Three Rivers District Council
Other parts (such as how the National and doing this, many more people would have Peter Taylor,
Local Contact Tracing Systems interface) are been infected and many more deaths would Elected Mayor of Watford
still being developed nationally. have happened. Cllr Tony Kingsbury,
At the time of writing, we are exiting some We need you to do this vital work in order Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough
of the restriction measures which were put for our outbreak plan to be effective. We can Council
in place in March. do this by working together. Cllr David Williams,
Leader of Hertfordshire County Council
However, COVID-19 is not over. It is still
David Lloyd,
circulating widely in our community.
Police and Crime Commissioner for
Hertfordshire
02 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
What our plan is aiming to achieve
Through our local plan, and working with local communities, we aim:
1. To protect the health of the population of 2. To assure the public and stakeholders these
Hertfordshire from COVID-19, preventing the measures are being delivered effectively by:
spread of COVID-19 and associated diseases by:
• Publishing this Local Outbreak Plan;
• Preventing the spread of Covid-19 across
workplaces and communities; • Establishing a Member-Led Governance Board;
• Identifying outbreaks as early as possible; • Setting out communications and engagement
arrangements with partner organisations and
• Containing and suppressing outbreaks by residents;
proactively using the best current tools and
evidence; • Delivering proactive and reactive communications
campaigns and resources to support residents and
• Co-ordinating the capabilities of all relevant stakeholders, such businesses and schools, to take
partners by agreeing roles and responsibilities and appropriate action;
escalation routes, defining governance structures
and command & control arrangements; • Producing epidemiological surveillance and
modelling to support the actions taken;
• Where possible supporting the incorporation of
the COVID-19 response into existing structures and • Communicating clearly to residents when action is
ways of working; and being taken and why; and
• Ensuring that arrangements are in place to prevent • Using programme management principles and
and manage non COVID-19 seasonal communicable capabilities.
diseases, such as the ‘flu, which may also impact
adversely on public service capacity.
03 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
Outbreak levels
Health Protection arrangements Table 1: Levels of Outbreak Alert
already exist for managing outbreaks
of infection in Hertfordshire. Level What does this look like? Recent Examples
What is different about COVID-19 is
01
Outbreaks within existing capacity, even if in multiple settings COVID 19 in care homes
the scale, which was so significant simultaneously. The Health Protection Board would manage and schools.
these.
in the period between March 2020
and June 2020 that it required the
02
Outbreaks which would exceed existing outbreak management Lookback exercises and
Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG) capacity and need additional resource or capacity. The Health screening on over 1500
Protection Board and SCG would work together to manage people (multi agency
of the county’s Local Resilience these. response).
Forum to co-ordinate activity.
03
Outbreaks which would exceed existing capacity and require the ‘Flu Season 2017
SCG and/or one or more partners to declare a Major Incident.
In developing this Outbreak Plan we have
identified levels of Outbreak alerts for the
04
A second wave of infection as bad or worse than the first. COVID-19 first wave
system from 1 to 4. This plan is designed This would require full scale SCG co-ordination and a national
to cope with Level 1 and 2 Outbreaks. response and would result in many people needing hospital
Level 3 would essentially be a second wave (Second Wave) treatment, and possibly many more deaths.
of the pandemic which would require the
SCG to be fully operational.
04 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
National and local responsibilities
The UK Government has set Figure 1: National Test and Trace System
out four key strands to the
national approach to tackling PHE Protocols, Standard Operating Procedures and script PHE central
COVID-19: test; trace; contain; and coordination centre Roles
enable. These have distinct but
complementary roles at national Tier 3: Call handlers Tier 3 contact tracing: communication and provision
of advice to contacts according to SOPs and scripts.
and local level. Escalation of difficult issues to tier 2
Contracted external provider
The purpose of this system is to control the There is an Tier 2 contact tracing: interview of cases and
identification contacts, escalation of complex issues
COVID-19 rate of reproduction (R), reduce integrated Staff employed by NHS through NHSP to tier 1
logistics
the spread of infection and save lives. provider
Tier 2: Dedicated professional Tier 1a contact tracing: development of guidance and
To control the rate of reproduction the NHSBSA contact tracing staff protocols and clinical governance. HPTs, Field Service,
likely
National Test and Trace system (see Figure Border health and other working on contact tracing of
flights and large scale events. Contact tracing team leads
1) has three tiers of operation which have recruited/seconded as additional staff into PHE to work
Tier 1a: HPTs,
been implemented nationally. FS, Border with tiers 2 and 3.
health working Tier 1b:
Local planning and response is an essential with LAs
• Regionalised network: Overview of the programme
part of this operation and forms part of level Tier 1b: regionally, receive and review performance reports
1b, a Local Outbreak Control Plan is required from the PHE Contact Tracing Cell and assess wider
impact across areas. Liaison and communication
to document these local plans. between national programme and local areas (LRFs
and Las).
Regionalised network (likely 9) with a named LA lead and regional • Local authorities: shielding, food and support,
Director in PHE working with each local authority lead and LRFs enforcement, economic impact, workforce impact,
community engagement, school and homeless.
• HPTs and FS working with local authorities as usual
to investigate and control outbreaks and other
complex issues.
05 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
Priorities for Hertfordshire’s Local Outbreak Plan
Programme 1: Prevent and Respond
This will co-ordinate existing and new arrangements and response action by monitoring when new
National to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and proactively technologies (such as a vaccine) will become available
Government has manage outbreaks. and ensuring the system puts in place arrangements
set seven priorities to deliver these or make them available.
for Local Outbreak Prevention is the first and most important part of
Plans. There are also managing outbreaks of COVID-19. Measures like social 2. Care Homes - ensuring outbreaks are prevented
additional priorities distancing, cleaning, good and frequent hand washing and managed effectively in care homes.
outlined in guidance, and self-isolating and getting tested if you have 3. Schools - ensuring schools can operate safely and
additional requests symptoms are crucial, and we need the public and outbreaks are managed effectively.
from government employers and all partner agencies to work with us to
or developing best make sure we prevent significant rises in numbers of 4. High Risk Settings (Non-NHS) - systematic
practice. people infected. identification and risk assessment of settings, and
co-ordination of action.
We have grouped NHS Commissioners and Providers are working to
these priorities 5. High Risk NHS Settings - due to the particular
ensure that they prevent and manage outbreaks of nature of NHS settings and risk of transmission,
together to
form mutually COVID-19 in NHS settings. This ranges from infection the NHS will have a dedicated workstream on
inter-dependent control in Hospitals and Primary Care to putting preventing and managing outbreaks in hospitals
five programmes for in place measures to providing covid free sites, and other NHS settings.
the Hertfordshire identifying patient cohorts at higher risk in the event
Plan. of a second wave and identifying preventive action. 6. Vulnerable People and Communities - systematic
The NHS also supports infection control across care identification of populations at higher risk of getting
and NHS settings and testing of staff and patients. COVID-19 or higher risk of serious disease or outcomes
if they do become infected; and the provision of
As part of this programme we will make sure we support to those people who are self-isolating.
engage proactively with key workplaces and with
residents to ask them to keep these preventive 7. Highways and Urban/Town Centre Safety -
measures going. ensuring town centres and businesses operate
safely for residents.
The programme will consist of the following workstreams: 8. Enforcement Powers - ensuring enforcement
1. Prevention Hub - resourcing and enabling powers are used quickly, sensitively and
preventive activity and communication. Responsible appropriately.
for the forecasting and future casting of preventive
06 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
Priorities for Hertfordshire’s Local Outbreak Plan
National Programme 2: Testing and Contact Tracing
Government has
set seven priorities
for Local Outbreak Rapid and easily accessible testing is key to any It consists of a number of workstreams which have
Plans. There are also pandemic management in order to establish significant inter-relationships and grouping them
additional priorities and monitor levels of infection and immunity together in one programme will enable workstreams
outlined in guidance, in the system, plan for service demand, prevent to avoid duplication of effort. A detailed strategy for
additional requests
asymptomatic spread of infection to vulnerable testing has been developed. A new regional testing
from government
cohorts, identify who needs treatment and care, and site and mobile testing unit has also already been
or developing best
practice. keep the workforce and services resilient. secured as part of this work.
We have grouped This programme will co-ordinate existing and new
these priorities arrangements to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and
together to proactively manage outbreaks through the following
form mutually workstreams:
inter-dependent
five programmes for 1. Testing Co-ordination and Deployment - the
the Hertfordshire development of local testing capabilities (including
Plan. mobile reactive testing for outbreaks) to support
the objectives of this plan.
2. Contact Tracing Local Capabilities - the
development of local contact tracing capabilities to
support the objectives of this plan.
3. Co-ordination - working with Public Health England
and all other partners across the East of England
to ensure consistent pathways between national,
regional and local aspects of the NHS Track and
Trace System.
07 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
Priorities for Hertfordshire’s Local Outbreak Plan
National Programme 3: Surveillance, Intelligence and Data
Government has
set seven priorities
for Local Outbreak This will ensure the Outbreak Board is provided with
Plans. There are also good intelligence and data. Monitoring and forecasting
additional priorities the spread of disease in Hertfordshire is crucial to
outlined in guidance, enabling effective action, as well as providing other
additional requests
workstreams with information they need to deliver
from government
their functions.
or developing best
practice. The programme will consist of the workstreams
We have grouped listed below:
these priorities
1. Daily Surveillance Meetings - daily monitoring,
together to
as in any ongoing outbreak, and identification of
form mutually
inter-dependent actions and information flows to workstreams.
five programmes for 2. Analytical, Forecasting and Modelling - providing
the Hertfordshire
epidemiological intelligence and modelling possible
Plan.
trends.
3. Information Sharing - ensuring information
sharing can be undertaken proactively and
effectively.
08 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak PlanPriorities for Hertfordshire’s Local Outbreak Plan
National Programme 4: Engaging Communities
Government has
set seven priorities
for Local Outbreak Effective communication with local communities is The Communications Cell will liaise with multiple
Plans. There are also essential in managing outbreaks. workstreams from other programmes, a number of
additional priorities workstreams will play key ongoing supportive roles in
outlined in guidance, This programme will co-ordinate existing and new enabling communication and engagement:
additional requests arrangements to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and
from government proactively manage outbreaks. It will consist of two • Prevention Hub - the behavioural sciences and
or developing best elements: advice functions of the Prevention Hub enable
practice. messaging and create resourcing to be used in
1. An Elected Member Board - key in ensuring elected communications.
We have grouped members can communicate across the county, and
these priorities
within districts/boroughs and localities. • Surveillance and Analytical Programme -
together to
this workstream’s outputs will inform the work of
form mutually 2. A Communications Cell - a dedicated cell to
inter-dependent the Communications and the Member Board.
co-ordinate communication capabilities across
five programmes for Hertfordshire’s partner agencies. Its key purpose • Governance and Programme Co-ordination -
the Hertfordshire
will be engaging with the public in order to will ensure communications and the Member Board
Plan.
maintain public trust in measures taken to prevent is effectively resourced.
and control outbreaks.
09 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak PlanPriorities for Hertfordshire’s Local Outbreak Plan
National Programme 5: Governance and Programme Co-Ordination
Government has
set seven priorities
for Local Outbreak This programme will consist of the arrangements • Internal Hertfordshire County Council -
Plans. There are also to ensure that the Plan is well co-ordinated and responsible for reporting and co-ordinating and
additional priorities governed. These arrangements are: providing finance assurance. The county council
outlined in guidance, will lead on this since it is in receipt of the grant for
additional requests • Elected Member Engagement Board - outbreak management.
from government convened by the Leader of the County Council, has
or developing best met in shadow form and will provide assurance to
practice. the public as well as ensuring all eleven councils
We have grouped work together. This Board will sign off the Local
these priorities Outbreak Plan.
together to
• Health Protection Board - will lead on actions
form mutually
inter-dependent to co-ordinate and deliver actions to prevent and
five programmes for manage outbreaks of COVID-19 in Hertfordshire.
the Hertfordshire It will be multi-agency and will use both existing
Plan. and new structures and systems. This Board will
own, deliver and develop this plan. This Board will
be a cell of the Strategic Co-ordinating Group of the
Local Resilience Forum.
• Programme Management Office - A dedicated
team of programme management capabilities which
will ensure delivery of the Board’s objectives.
10 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan11 COVID-19 Hertfordshire Local Outbreak Plan
Where do I go for What do I do if I think I
more information? have symptoms?
You can get more information If you have a high temperature or a new,
on COVID-19 from the following continuous cough, or have lost your sense of
sources: taste or smell, firstly get a test for coronavirus
done by going to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
HCC website - containing coronavirus coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ or by
guidance and service updates
dialling 119 if you do not have internet access.
gov.uk/coronavirus - for the government’s Live alone? Stay home for 7 days
latest updates and guidance
Live with others? They will have to stay home for 14 days if you
have symptoms.
NHS website for information on the virus
and how to prevent it spreading. Don’t go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Read NHS advice about staying at home.
Herts Help contactable on 0300 123 4044 –
support for all Hertfordshire residents Use the 111 coronavirus online service if:
• you feel you can’t cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms don’t get better after 7 days.
Only call 111 if you can’t get help online. You don’t need to
contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
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