Book your Booster today!
Over the weekend, Leader of West Berkshire Council, Lynne Doherty and Deputy Leader, Graham Bridgman, rolled up their sleeves to receive their Covid-19 Booster vaccinations.
Lynne was delighted to have hers completed in Newbury;
“On Friday, I was delighted to join countless others in having my Covid-19 Booster to protect myself and others around me from the virus. Booking an appointment was quick and convenient, and getting the jab itself was only a few minutes out of my day. I’m proud to be playing my part to keep the virus at bay and would encourage residents to continue doing their bit too. Vaccinations, testing, and mask-wearing are all simple steps that can help reduce the spread of the virus this winter and are really important right now. We appreciate what you’ve all been doing to support each other and the community, and we thank you for that.”
Graham received his at the Lambourn Pharmacy with his vaccination delivered by Graham Jones, former leader of the Council. In his role as local Pharmacist, Graham Jones said;
“This is a very worthwhile and fulfilling role. Patient feedback has been fabulous, and we are pleased we volunteered to be part of the service. The community response has been excellent, and we have been supported by a number of volunteers helping ensure the success of the operation. The pandemic has brought out the best in the community.”
With the pop-up vaccination unit starting this Wednesday in Hungerford, the mobile unit in Kintbury next week, and the Kennet Shopping Vaccination Centre in Newbury expanding this week, we are delighted to be supporting the NHS with these Vaccination hubs.
The recommendations for Lateral Flow Testing, also known as Rapid Testing, have changed, and with the new Omichron variant, it is more important than ever to stay ahead of Covid-19.
Rather than testing twice a week, it is recommended that you complete a test before either;
- visiting someone who might be more at risk or vulnerable to Covid-19
- or going into an environment where the risks will be higher, for example, crowded and enclosed spaces where more people might be infectious, and there is limited fresh air.
Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms but can still infect others. Rapid testing plays a critical role in uncovering hidden cases of COVID-19 and preventing the spread of the virus.
Even if you are vaccinated, you can still pass on the COVID-19 virus.
We appreciate everything you are doing to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
You can collect your FREE kits from any Pharmacy, order online, or collect from the Healthwatch West Berkshire mobile testing van. You can find out more on our Lateral Flow Testing page, and also find their route for the week ahead.
If you test positive for Covid-19, the NHS Test and Trace team will contact you to let you know that you are positive and need to self-isolate for ten days.
Adults will receive a link to complete their contact tracing information online. If you can complete within four hours of receiving the link, you are less likely to receive multiple calls asking for further information.
At present, this online completion process is not available for under 18’s, so contact tracing for under 18’s can only be completed through a phone call. If you are completing for an under 18, we recommend you have as much information as possible on your child’s contacts and movements, as this will speed up the process.
The contact tracing form is a way of collecting information on who your close contacts have been and will help contact tracing get in touch with these people and ask them to complete a PCR test.
Completing this form is essential to help control and manage the spread of Covid-19.
We appreciate that everyone’s time is precious, and by completing this form, you will save your own time and help stop the spread of Covid-19.
And finally, the Local Outbreak Engagement Board meets tonight, and you can view the meeting from 6pm on YouTube.
If you need any advice or help on Covid-19 and the impact on your health, income or business, you will be able to find all this and more on our dedicated section with our website.
