Healthwatch City of London Bulletin 60

What are the new self-isolation rules for people with Covid in England?

Anyone who develops symptoms or tests positive for Covid must immediately self-isolate.

From Monday 17 January, people who test positive will be able to leave self-isolation after a further five full days, subject to having two negative LFT results, 24 hours apart.

The day symptoms begin, or you test positive is day zero. The next day is day one of your isolation period.

You can take your first test on day five. If it is negative, you can take another test 24 hours later on day six. Assuming this is also negative - and you do not have a temperature - you can immediately leave isolation.

The rules apply whether you are vaccinated or not.

Confirmatory PCR tests temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow test results

From Monday (11 January), people in England who receive positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results for coronavirus (COVID-19) are required to self-isolate immediately and are not required to take a confirmatory PCR test.

This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high across the UK. Whilst levels of COVID-19 are high, the vast majority of people with positive LFD results can be confident that they have COVID-19.

In line with the reduced self-isolation approach announced on 13^th January, anyone who tests positive are able to leave self-isolation 6 days after the date of their initial positive test if they receive 2 negative LFD results, 24 hours apart, on days 5 and 6.

It is important to note that people who are eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP) will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR if they receive a positive LFD result, to enable them to access financial support.

For further information please visit the Government website

Get Boosted now!

The most important thing that anyone can do is get vaccinated and have your booster (and flu jab) The NHS is seeing the benefit of vaccination on the severity of illness. If you are already vaccinated, please encourage friends and family to get their vaccination and booster jabs as soon as possible.

People aged 18 or over can pre-book a booster dose appointment 2 months after their second vaccine dose. You can get your booster dose 3 months after your second vaccine dose. Book your booster vaccination appointment or find a walk-in vaccination site.

Pop up vaccination clinics

Liverpool Street Station, corner of Old Broad Street and Liverpool Street. Friday 14^th January

• Pfizer vaccination.
• Friday 14 January 10am-7pm.
• walk-in
• ages 16+
• no ID or NHS number required

Spring Hill Practice, 57 Stamford Hill, N16 5SR. Every Sunday in January

• Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccination. Priority given to people needing first and second doses.
• Every Sunday in January 10am-6pm.
• walk-in or book via 020 8356 3111
• ages 16+
• no ID or NHS number required
• male and female vaccinators available

Hospital sites

Guy’s Hospital: You do not need proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number for vaccination.

• Location: Burfoot Court Room, Counting House at Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT (view Site Map)
• Day and time:
  
  • Pfizer (+16s): Monday to Saturday – 8am to 7pm
  • Moderna (+18s):
    
    • Monday, 8am-9pm
  • AstraZeneca (+40s) – 2^nd dose only:
    
    • Monday, 10-12.30pm
• Booking information: Walk-in, no appointment needed
• Further information: The Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines are available at this clinic.

  First, second and booster doses available – second dose only offered if at least eight weeks since the first dose. Booster dose only offered if at least 3 months since second dose.
   

St Thomas’ Hospital

• Location: St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH (view Site Map)
• Day and time: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm – (weekdays = Vaccination Centre 2, Saturdays = Vaccination Centre 1)
• Booking information: Walk-in, no appointment needed.
• Further information: This clinic is for anyone age 12 and over.

  First, second and booster doses available – second dose only offered if at least eight weeks since the first dose. Booster dose only offered if at least 3 months since second dose.

Primary Care sitesD-19 Vaccination Centre, 3A Bocking Street, E8 3RU

• John Scott Health Centre, Green Lanes, London, N4 2NU
• St. Leonard's Hospital, Nuttall Street, N1 5LZ

Pharmacy sites (booked through the national booking portal)

A new centre has opened on the City/Tower Hamlets border at Sai Pharmacy, 19 Stable Walk, Goodman’s Fields, E1 8EJ

• Boots, 120 Fleet St, EC4A 2BE
• Clockwork Pharmacy - 398-400 Mare Street, Hackney, London E8 1HP
• Bees Pharmacy - 199-201 Rushmore Road, Clapton, E5 0HD
• Haggerston Pharmacy, 197-215 Haggerston Road, E8 4HU
• Day Lewis Pharmacy, 77 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 8AD
• Silverfields Chemists, 141 Homerton High St, E9 6AS
• Spring Pharmacy, 223 Hoxton Street, N1 5LG
• Murrays Pharmacy, 96-98 Murray Grove, N1 7QP

Alternatively, vaccinations for residents registered at Tower Hamlets GPs are being administered from:

• Newby Place Health and Wellbeing Centre, 21 Newby Place, Poplar, E14 0EY
• The Art Pavillion, Mile End Park, Clinton Road, E3 4QY

AGE UK Empower Energy Awareness workshop 

Empower Project Coordinator Ruby will be running her next free Energy Awareness workshop in February. She will be sharing tips and tricks on how to save money on your electricity, water and gas bills, while staying comfortable and warm at home. Topics include lighting, appliances, understanding tariffs and bills, and assistance schemes and grants. There will be plenty of time to ask any questions and to arrange a one-to-one meeting with Ruby to discuss any areas you want some personal advice on, regarding your energy usage and costs.

When: Monday 7^th February, 14.00-15.30

Where: Online – Zoom

Open to: Anyone living in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney and the City

Contact: Ruby Farrell (Empower Project Coordinator for Age UK East London) directly at ruby.farrell@ageukeastlondon.org.uk, or on 07514 670270.

To receive the Zoom details on the day, please complete registration via this online form, or contact Ruby if you would prefer to do this over the phone: https://forms.office.com/r/YbGj5pHwwN

Latest COVID 19 medical guidance

You should adhere to the following guidelines if you feel unwell or need to attend routine medical appointments.

• If you urgently need medical help or advice but it is not a life-threatening situation, or if you don’t know who to ring, call NHS 111. 
• If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999.
• If you are told to go to hospital it is important that you go to hospital.
• If you need medical help from your GP practice, contact them either online, by an app or by phone to be assessed.
• Attend routine medical appointments, including outpatient appointments adhering to the infection control measures (hands, face, space)
• Attend routine screening appointments adhering to the infection control measures (hands, face, space)

How to look after your mental health while self-isolating with COVID-19

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Healthwatch England have produced this handy guide with tips to looking after your wellbeing when self-isolating and contact details for charities that can provide support.

How to look after your mental health while self-isolating with COVID-19 | Healthwatch

Help and Support if you are isolating

City of London Corporation

If you are a City of London Corporation resident, are self-isolating and you require assistance accessing food, medicine, money and other essentials if you are struggling to access them, contact the Corporation by filling in the COVID-19 form, by emailing the COVID-19 mailbox, or by calling 020 7606 3030. 

City Advice

They offer free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of issues, including debt and employment. City Advice can also refer you to the First Love Foundation (FLF) if you need help getting food.

City Advice are qualified to advise on:

• Health and wellbeing
• Welfare benefits
• Debt
• Housing and legal issues
• Relationships
• Consumer and employment rights

Opening times are Monday - Friday 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, you can contact them via phone 020 7392 2919 or email them at city.advice@toynbeehall.org.uk.

NHS Volunteer Responders can also help with things like:

• collecting shopping
• collecting medicines and prescriptions
• phone calls if you want to chat to someone

Call 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm, everyday) to arrange help from a volunteer.

Latest Covid-19 statistics for the City of London

The joint City and Hackney Public Health Intelligence Team produce regular statistics on Covid-19 levels and vaccination uptake data in the City. The site is updated regularly and accessible at https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data   

Keep up to date with the latest advice

HWCoL are constantly updating our advice and information pages. Please make sure you visit them regularly.  https://www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk/advice-and-information