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Report to: |
East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board
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Date of meeting:
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14 December 2021 |
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By: |
Director of Public Health
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Title: |
East Sussex Outbreak Control Plan
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Purpose: |
To update the Health and Wellbeing Board of the results of emergency planning exercise and the plan to refresh East Sussex Outbreak Control Plan |
The Board is recommended to:
1) agree the updated East Sussex Outbreak Control Plan attached as Appendix 1; and
2) agree to receive an update East Sussex Outbreak Control Plan at its 1 March 2022 meeting.
1.1 COVID-19 (a coronavirus) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020 after sustained global transmission.
1.2 East Sussex County Council (ESCC) published the first version of the East Sussex COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan (OCP) at the end of June 2020 as required by the Government, to prevent cases of the virus where possible in East Sussex and to respond to any local outbreaks. The OCP continues to be an iterative document, with continuing updates as more learning / guidance is produced, as well as structured whole reviews every three months.
1.3 At its meeting of 30 September 2021, the Board agreed to receive an update on development of the OCP.
2.1 The OCP was updated in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including the NHS and Borough and District Councils.
2.2 A multi-agency emergency planning exercise was carried out in June 2021 to test the OCP. A detailed report was produced, and associated recommendations and an action plan is being addressed through the Operational Cell. The recommendations have been addressed as follows:
· The Escalation Framework has been removed and replaced by the Contain Framework
· Further high-risk groups have been identified as part of the exercise and internal mechanisms will address any new or emerging needs
· A new Part 2 section has been created specifically for easier and more concise internal and operational use in line with emergency planning processes.
2.3 The OCP (attached as Appendix 1) has been updated to reflect the easing of restrictions since July 2021 and further national changes in August 2021 relating to vaccines and rules of isolation. However, it is recognised that with easing of restrictions there is a greater likelihood of transmission and so communications and messaging continue to promote testing, vaccine uptake and usual measures such as handwashing and social distancing.
2.4 The Contain Framework section (page 20-28 of the OCP) refers to the Government’s Autumn and Winter Plan including Plan B – the contingency plan to combat increasing rates of transmission.
3.1 The Health and Wellbeing Board, as the local accountable body, is recommended to approve the latest version of the OCP.
3.2 The Health and Wellbeing Board will be advised at future meetings of further updates to the East Sussex Outbreak Control Plan. It is therefore proposed the Board agree to review a further update to the Plan at the next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board on 1 March 2022.
DARRELL GALE
Director of Public Health
Contact Officer: Rob Tolfree, Consultant in Public Health
Tel. No. 07923 240932
Email: Rob.Tolfree@eastsussex.gov.uk
Background Documents:
None