Introduction
This resource has been developed to support local authorities in Cheshire and Merseyside to align our approach to Outbreak Management. As COVID-19 does not respect local authority or national boundaries, our response must be joined up both throughout our region, with neighbouring regions, and with Wales in order to be effective. The resource demonstrates how we will respond to the seven key themes outlined by Government, and how we will strengthen our approach to Outbreak Management and prevention by pooling knowledge, resources, skills and expertise to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission within Cheshire and Merseyside and ultimately save lives.
Ian Ashworth (DPH CWAC and Cheshire DPH Lead for Test & Trace)
Sue Forster (DPH St Helens and Merseyside DPH Lead for Test & Trace)
Theme 1 – Planning for local outbreaks in care homes and schools
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PHE NW Care Homes Pack
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Warn and Inform Letter – No Isolation
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Warn and Inform letter – no exclusion (002) (1)
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Outbreak Letter for schools – advice to parents of non-contact (14 day self isolation)
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Letter for parents of direct close contacts of COVID-19
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Action to take in managing a single suspected case of COVID
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Letter for parents of direct close contacts of COVID-19
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Checklist for action to take in managing a single suspected case of COVID – CHILD
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Schools template Outbreak Media Protocol
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University or College Checklist
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Action to take in managing a single suspected case of COVID
Theme 2 – High risk places, locations and communities
Identifying and planning how to manage high risk places, locations and communities of interest (e.g. defining preventative measures and outbreak management strategies)
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Complex Settings Outbreak Plan (for local adaption)
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Action cards by setting for Local Outbreak Plans
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COVID-19 Tier 1 Underserved Population Setting Checklist
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COVID-19 Outbreak Management Tier 1 Checklist for Workplaces
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Action to take in managing a single suspected case of COVID
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Warn and inform leaflet
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Letter Template for contacts of Confirmed COVID-19 cases
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Template to record workplace absence or employees self isolating
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COVID-19 Workplace FAQ
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Outbreak control team agenda
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Key national guidance
Theme 3 – Local testing capacity
Identifying methods for local testing to ensure a swift response that is accessible to the entire population (e.g. defining how to prioritise and manage deployment, examples may include NHS, pop-up etc)
Theme 4 – Contact tracing in complex settings
Assessing local and regional contact tracing capability in complex settings (e.g. identifying specific local complex communities, developing assumptions to estimate demand and options to scale capacity)
See resources in theme 2 for cross over i.e. example of mapping complex settings
Theme 5 – Data integration
Integrating national and local data and scenario planning through the Joint Biosecurity Centre Playbook (e.g. data management planning, including data security, NHS data linkages)
Theme 6 – Vulnerable people
Identifying and supporting vulnerable local people to get help to self-isolate (e.g. facilitating NHS and local support, identifying relevant community groups etc) and ensuring services meet the needs of diverse communities.
Local Areas to insert information on extra support services such as access to medicines, accommodation, food, mental health services and signposting to services where appropriate.
National
Vulnerable or at risk groups who are self isolating can get support through the NHS Volunteer Responder Service, it can provide support with things like getting food, medicines and other essential supplies. Call 0808 196 3646 (open 8am to 8pm) to get help from NHS Volunteer Responders
Theme 7 – Local Boards/Governance
Establishing governance structures led by existing Covid-19 Health Protection Boards in conjunction with local NHS and supported by existing Gold command forums and a new member-led Board to communicate with the general public.