Vaccine Update
Nationally, we have administered a total of 40.9 million vaccines across the UK - with over 32.4 million people across the UK now having received their first dose and over 8.5 million people having received their second dose - helping to cut infection rates and reduce the spread of the virus.
Locally, as of 11 April, the estimated percentage of the total population of Castle Point that has received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is 56.1%. Below is the amount of people in Castle Point who have been vaccinated with their first dose, according to age:
- 80+ = 5,904
- 75-79 = 4,755
- 70-74 = 6,248
- 65-69 = 5,065
- 60-64 = 5,457
- 55-59 = 6,011
- 50-54 = 5,854
- Under 50 = 11,408
COVID-19 self-testing even more accessible
ECC recently announced that Covid-19 self-test kits were available for collection at over 20 libraries across Essex, with the aim of making asymptomatic testing more accessible and helping to prevent individuals from unknowingly spreading the virus.
14 more library collection sites will be launched this week, meaning each of the 12 districts in Essex will have three self-test community collection points. For more information about the new sites, please visit: https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/covid-19-self-testing-even-more-accessible.
For more information on COVID-19 testing, including the NHS’ COVID-19 test collection site map for availability, opening times and locations in Castle Point, please visit Rebecca’s website at: https://www.rebeccaharris.org/covid-testing.
Councils make it easier to get financial support to self-isolate
Thanks to an agreement between ECC and partner councils, more residents will receive financial support if they test positive for the virus.
People must, by law, self-isolate if they are told to do so by NHS Test and Trace or Essex and Southend contact tracing. Essex County Council and the 12 borough, city and district councils in Essex have made it easier for people on low incomes to apply for a discretionary £500 payment if they’re unable to work from home while self-isolating.
For more information about support while you are self-isolating, please visit: https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/councils-make-it-easier-to-get-financial-support-to-self-isolate.
Love Local
The ECC Love Local campaign to support local businesses as shops, hairdressers, hospitality venues and gyms reopened this week. Shopping locally supports local jobs, helps the local economy to thrive and bolsters local supply chains. It can also help to cut your carbon footprint by reducing unnecessary travel and making the most of locally sourced products and ingredients.
For more information and ideas about how you can Love Local and support local businesses, please visit: https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/love-local-support-essex-businesses.
