Category Archives: Keeping Safe

Roadmap out of Lockdown – changes from today

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As we progress along the government roadmap out of Lockdown, there will be a slight easing of restrictions from today:  Here is what is allowed today that wasn’t before:

  • You can meet up outdoors in a group of up to 6 people – or more if it is only 2 households.  No household mixing indoors.
  • Outdoor sport and leisure facilities.
  • Organised outdoor sport allowed (children and adults).
  • The ‘stay at home’ instruction is lifted but you should minimise travel. No holidays.
  • Outdoor parent & child groups (up to 15 parents).

More at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021#roadmap

On the 29 March rule of 6 or two households outdoors. No household mixing indoors. Outdoor sport and leisure facilities. Organised outdoor sport (children and adults). Minimise travel. No domestic or international holidays. Outdoor parents & child groups (up to 15 people, excluding under 5s). For more information about the government roadmap visit the gov.uk website.

Advice if you have a loved one in a care home

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Do you have a friend or relative in a Leeds care home?

New dedicated webpages are now available from the Care Quality Team with info about care home residents rights, visiting during the pandemic, how to raise a concern and links to places that offer help and support.

https://www.leeds.gov.uk/care-quality-team/family-and-friends-of-care-home-residents

Protect yourself from online scams with a personalised action plan

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There’s been a rise in online scams over the last year and research by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ – suggests 81% of Britons fear themselves, friends or family falling victim to cyber crime.

In response to this, the UK’s cyber security agency has launched a free tool providing people with bespoke advice on how to better protect themselves from online threats.

The service allows users to complete a short survey about their IT habits which will generate a personalised list of recommendations, as part of the government’s Cyber Aware campaign.

Create your action plan here https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/actionplan

Or more general advice and tips https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware

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Census day today

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Today is census day.  If you haven’t already filled out your census form you should do it as soon as possible.

The Census is a unique survey that happens every 10 years in England and Wales. It is a vital research that helps inform decisions about healthcare, education, public transport and others.

Caring Together can help if any of our members need assistance with this.

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Coronavirus Update from Leeds City Council

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COVID BANNER

Dear resident,

We hope you’re keeping safe and well.

This week we are bringing you an update on infection rates, vaccination progress, and information about three new testing sites in the city for anyone who can’t work from home.

An update on Leeds’ infection rates

The latest figures for infection rates in Leeds are currently at 107.4 per 100,000, which is a slight increase on last week. The positivity rate remains stable at 4.9%.

Whilst this increase is partly due to outbreaks in two prison settings, it’s important that we all continue to stay at home unless essential, keep our distance from those not in our household, and wear a face covering when required.

The best way to keep yourself and others safe is by acting as though you have the virus.

Vaccination update

The vaccination work continues to progress well across Leeds, with approximately 285,000 vaccinations delivered in the city.

The NHS is currently offering the Covid-19 vaccine to people most at risk from the virus. If you fall into any one of the following groups, you may be eligible to book your vaccine through the NHS national booking system (or by calling 119). This is very straight forward and gives you lots of options for venues and times. You don’t need to wait for a letter or to be contacted by your GP.

You may be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You are aged 50 or over
  • Or you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
  • Or you are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
  • Or you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
  • Or you have a learning disability
  • Or you are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus

Once you enter your NHS number it will let you know whether you are eligible or ask you to self-certify as a carer or frontline health and social care worker. If you are unsure of your NHS number, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/.

If you are not eligible yet, please wait to be contacted. The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine – it’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.

More information about the Covid-19 vaccine can be found on the NHS Leeds website.

Royal Mail scam warning for customers

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ROYAL MAIL scams have targeted many unsuspecting victims in recent months.

How to spot a fake email or text.

It stated: “Check at the top. Fraudsters often use subjects or greetings that are impersonal and general, like ‘Attention Royal Mail Customer’. They may use a forged email address in the ‘from’ field like ‘delivery@royalmail.com’.

“They may even use the Royal Mail logo. None of this guarantees the email has come from us.”

There are two new scams doing the rounds whereby people receive an email or text saying

1)    they need to pay their delivery fee of £2.99 and asks people to click on the link

2)    their parcel was not delivered and directs the customer to a link asking them to fill out an information form.

Both scams look very realistic but please remember the following advice:

1.    Royal Mail will never send an email asking for credit card numbers or other personal or confidential information.

2.    Royal Mail will never ask customers to enter information on a page that isn’t part of the Royal Mail website.

3.    Royal Mail will never include attachments unless the email was solicited by customer e.g. customer has contacted Royal Mail with an enquiry or has signed up for updates from Royal Mail.

4.    Royal Mail have also stressed that they do not receive a person’s email address as part of any home shopping experience.

If you are unsure check out the below link to the Royal Mail’s website. You can also call Caring Together if needed and we can look at it together. Keep safe
 

Everyone over 50 now invited to book for Covid vaccine

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This is the last of the 9 priority groups identified for the covid vaccine rollout and it means that all Caring Together members should have been offered at least one dose of a covid vaccine.

You can book online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by ringing 119.

If you are in any of the priority groups and you have not been offered a vaccine, or if you didn’t take up the offer but would now like to, you can also book using the same methods or speak to your GP.

As well as everyone over 50, you can currently get the vaccine if:

• you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• you are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
• you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• you have a learning disability
• you are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus
After this, the rest of the adult population will be vaccinated, with people prioritised by age.
Book a coronavirus vaccination

Oxford Astra Zenica vaccine – NHS safety information

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If you’re worried about the recent news about the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, MHRA, has said that they are confident the vaccine is safe.

The Leeds NHS has issued an update to try and answer many concerns https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/coronavirus/vaccine/astrazenecasafety/

And you can see the MHRA statement here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-response-to-irish-authorities-action-to-temporarily-suspend-the-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine

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One Year On…..

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Today (March 16th) is exactly one year since we reluctantly made the decision at Caring Together to stop all our groups and activities due to Covid-19 (shortly before the full national lockdown). At the time I think we all thought it would just be for just a few weeks.

Well, here we are a year on. Over that time we have been working hard to keep in contact and to support our members through this in many different ways.

We are hopeful that over the next few weeks and months that as gradually come out of lockdown we will be able to resume more face to face activities. This is likely initially to be small group walks or outdoor get-togethers – as we did last summer when the restrictions were eased slightly. Eventually, of course, we will be looking to get back to something more ‘normal’ and be able to welcome you to groups, outings and events, when we feel sure it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, stay positive, keep in touch (with us and each other) and most importantly stay safe.

Remember that we are here to help and you can contact us in all the usual ways

We look forward to welcoming you all back!!

A reminder of life at Caring Together before lockdown – Our Winter Warmer afternoon in January 2020