Vulnerable Peterborough residents urged to shield during lockdown

Everyone is being asked to stay at home as much as possible and to only leave home if it is essential to do so. However, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and therefore at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus are being urged to take extra steps.

They are being asked not to leave home to go to work, school, college or university, to limit the time they spend outside their home and only go out for medical appointments, exercise or for essential reasons.

Letters have been sent to all clinically vulnerable people from the Department for Health and Social Care informing them how to stay safe. People will also receive a follow-up letter from Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council with information on the support available in the local area.

Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: "“We know how difficult it can be to reduce contact with others for a lengthy period. So, it is understandable that you may feel upset by the recent announcement to shield again. But please remember these measures are in place to reduce transmission of coronavirus and to protect you.

“Rates of the virus have been rising across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and we know that the new variant which is much easier to catch has been detected in the county. So it is really important that you stay at home as much as possible if you are clinically extremely vulnerable.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel, with the new vaccination programme being rolled out. But it will take time for this to reach enough people and have its full impact, so for now please remain at home as much as possible, where you are the safest.”

You can read the full guidance on shielding on the government website, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19Help and support continues to be available to anyone who is self-isolating through the network of support hubs run by the county, district and city councils.

Councillor Irene Walsh, Cabinet Member for Communities at Peterborough City Council said: “It has been a really tough nine months for many people and we know that the last thing they wanted was to have to shield once again.

“If you need help to be able to shield, please don't struggle in silence. We are here to help, so please get in touch. It may be just a phone call from a friendly voice once a week, or support in sourcing food items, we have a bank of people waiting to help.

“There is a tremendous amount of work taking place every day, by both the Peterborough hub and many voluntary and charitable organisations which is helping to keep our residents safe, well and connected at this most difficult time.”

Councillor Steve Criswell, Chairman of the Communities and Partnerships Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We understand that shielding alone can be daunting and worrying for clinically extremely vulnerable and their families, but there is no need to suffer at home alone.

“If you are shielding and need support, firstly reach out to your family, friends and neighbours to see if they can help you. If you don’t have support around you, then pick up the phone and give your local support hub a call.

“The support hubs are ready to help and we urge you to get in contact if you are struggling. We have some generous, caring volunteers who want to support you, so don’t worry about asking for help.”

People can use the hubs to get help to access food and medicine and support with tasks such as dog walking and home maintenance. Wellbeing support is also available in the form of welfare calls and providing reassurance. The hubs can also offer advice on financial and employment concerns and with signposting to local specialist support services.

In addition to the help offered by the support hubs, people who are shielding can register with the National Registration Support Service to secure priority supermarket delivery slots. Registration will also enable community pharmacist to deliver any medicines direct to people’s homes.

If you have previously registered or have already secured priority supermarket delivery slots, you don’t need to re-register. But if you haven’t already done so, you can register online today. To access the registration service, go to https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-shielding-support

Contact details for the local support hubs are as follows:

· If you live in the Peterborough City Council area: www.peterborough.gov.uk/coronavirus or 01733 747474

· If you live in the Fenland District Council area: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus or 0345 045 5219

· If you live in the Huntingdonshire District Council area: https://www.wearehuntingdonshire.org/ or 01480 388388

· If you live in the South Cambridgeshire District Council area: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus or 0345 045 5219

· If you live in the Cambridge City area: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus-ask-for-help or 01223 457000

· If you live in the East Cambridgeshire District Council area: https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/content/coronavirus-community-support or 01353 665555

If you are not sure which is your local hub, contact the countywide coordination hub via www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus or call 0345 045 5219.