FOLLOWING a recent meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board a report has been published to provide an overview on the current picture of COVID-19 on a local scale.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone in the borough and key workers and residents have all come together, working hard to help fight the virus.
Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins said “I know it’s been extremely difficult for everyone and for those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic. My thoughts are with those families.
“During these times of uncertainty, fear and worry, the community spirit has shone through. Residents have come together in times of need, supporting each other to help beat this virus.
We have all been playing our part to reduce the strain on hospitals and care homes.”
“We, as a Council have been working tirelessly with our key partners on the Health and Wellbeing Board to help minimise the impact of COVID-19 on our residents, keep people safe and provide those who have the illness with the right treatment and support.
“We have actively engaged with care home providers to monitor the situation, provide support and emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), when care providers are struggling to obtain the right equipment.”
The report from last Wednesday (May 20) highlights 992 cases of COVID-19 being reported in Cheshire West and Chester, equating to a rate of 289 per 100,000 (as of 5pm on 18 May 2020).
The latest figures for May 24th is 1,078 confirmed cases.
There had been a total of 268 coronavirus deaths in west Cheshire with 66 per cent occurring in hospital, 28 per cent occurring in care homes and the remaining deaths occurring in other establishments.
Meanwhile the coronavirus pandemic has posed significant challenges across the social care sector, particularly for the 130 care providers operating across the borough, their staff and the 4,800 vulnerable residents they support.
Across Cheshire West and Chester, 258 residents supported by care providers have now recovered from the virus but sadly 164 residents and one member of care staff have lost their lives as a result of COVID-19.
To minimise the impact of coronavirus across the care sector testing is crucial. To date, 851 tests have been completed for residents and a further 896 tests completed for staff. The Council is also working daily with care providers to ensure that operational requirements are being met. This includes reviewing the status of PPE, testing requirements, staffing and financial stability.
The Council is also actively promoting mental and emotional health and wellbeing among carers and a financial support package, including emergency PPE supplies, has been offered to all providers to ensure further resilience during these extremely challenging times.
Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health for Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “My thoughts and deepest sympathies are very much with the families of all the residents we have sadly lost.
“Our care providers are on the frontline in our response to coronavirus and are doing everything they can to reduce the spread of infection where this arises.
“We’re also hugely grateful to all the staff who are continuing to care for residents with kindness and professionalism.
“When problems getting the right support for our residents do arise, we are continuing to work with central government and raising these issues at the highest level.”