Covid restrictions reminder

During March, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of positive COVID cases among staff. As of 14^th March, we had 299 positive staff cases across the Trust, which is the highest level to date.

From 1^st-14^th March, the COVID team has received 698 Covid referrals and dealt with 419 positive results. These figures are worryingly high compared to the previous month, where we had a total of 611 positive results for the whole of February.

Covid is still in the community, the number of positive cases is rising again and, despite most people experiencing fairly mild symptoms there are still many who are suffering with more serious symptoms.

As NHS staff, it is imperative for us to remember that restrictions remain in place. We need to be vigilant about our behaviour to ensure that levels of staff sickness do not continue to escalate and begin to impact the service we provide for our patients.

If you are symptomatic and test negative on an LFT, please do go for a PCR test. As always, the COVID support teams are on hand for advice and guidance 07.00-22.00, 7 days a week.

The following guidance remains in place for all of us:

Masks should be worn when social distancing cannot take place – in cabs/walking around trust properties/in training
Please consider mask wearing when car sharing to/from work as well as at work
Meal breaks must be socially distanced – observe permitted room occupancy
No school or club visits should be taking place
All symptomatic staff who test negative on LFT should be referred to the covid team for a PCR
Managers must continue to refer all staff that are absent through covid to the covid support team – whether symptomatic/positive or a contact
Positive staff can potentially return on day 6 but only if they have a negative LFT on day 5&6, they do not have a temperature and their manager completes an early return risk assessment.

For further information about any aspect of the COVID guidance, please visit the Covid-19 homepage.

Thank you for your continued support with this.

Published 16h March 2022