The NHS across Coventry and Warwickshire has so far delivered 183,328 vaccine doses to:
- 92.55% of our over 80 year olds
- 98.63% of our 75-79 year olds
- 81.58% of our 70-74 year olds
Locally, the NHS is confident of vaccinating all those in the top four groups by Monday, thanks to good vaccine supply and a herculean effort. If you’re over 70 years old and haven’t had your first vaccination, then please book your appointment through the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination; telephone 119 between 7am and 11pm, or contact your GP directly.
This week letters will begin to be received by those over 65 years old, extending an invitation to get a jab at the Stoneleigh vaccination centre. Please wait for your letter before contacting the NHS to make an appointment. If you’ve concerns about being vaccinated, or need some reassurance, we’ve drawn together advice and guidance which you might find helpful, here.
Infection rates continue on trend, declining this week from 158 to 138 cases per 100,000 residents. Thanks to our shared efforts the worst of this outbreak appears to be behind us, but let’s not be complacent, continue to stay at home and to follow the guidance.
We’re pushing ahead providing vital support to our local businesses. So far £672,000 has been paid on Parts A & B of the Discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme, which has now closed. The Part C discretionary scheme went live on 4 December with £466,000 in grants so far paid, in addition to a further £628,000 in grants paid through the latest Part D scheme. To date, 1,053 of our most Covid impacted businesses have so far received £1,766,000 in vital grant funding. More details are available on our website.
This month we’re also supporting two exciting events:
- From 16 February, Interactive Futures promises to showcase the talent and creativity of our thriving Games Sector. Alongside a packed programme of talks and workshops, you can get involved by booking free tickets for half term activities for children and families.
- From 22 February over five days, Spark Ignite offers a series of free events that aim to turn creative talk into creative action, and galvanise our creative business community around a common purpose; recovery, promotion, and growth of the sector.
We’ve achieved so much this past year by working together and now there is an easy way we can grow this network of community support. Warwick District Timebank is open to anyone aged 14 or over, who is seeking to help others and our community, as well as being able to receive help themselves. By giving time to help someone else with a task, project or activity, such as working in the garden, or walking their dog perhaps, we then earn ourselves time we can call on to help with something that’s important to us. Timebanking is a simple, social way to connect with others, swap and share skills and services, as well as strengthening our communities. Everyone is welcome, so if you’re interested please visit our website for more information, here.
Spring is coming and our colleagues at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have released an uplifting walkabout video of Leam Valley Nature Reserve, which is located right in the centre of Leamington Spa. To gain a first-hand view of what’s going on at the Reserve and how to plan a visit, why not join the tour on their Youtube channel.
We’ve had a busy week agreeing next steps on a range of far reaching projects and programmes including new leisure facilities in Kenilworth; the creation of the Tachbrook country park and our Budget for the next financial year, which will support the delivery of key initiatives such as our Climate Emergency programme. Our Executive also voted in favour of greater working together with Stratford on Avon District Council and an enabling programme, which could lead to the creation of an agile and modern new council for South Warwickshire. All the decisions that were recommended by Executive for consideration at the 24 February Council meeting, can be found here. We’ll also keep you posted on our progress in future editions of this Update.
