Covid self-isolation rules changing

From Monday (16 August) fully vaccinated people who had their second dose at least two weeks previously and children will not need to self-isolate if they are a contact of someone who tests positive for Covid-19.

You’ll still need to self-isolate if you’ve only had one jab so far or if you’ve not been vaccinated.

If you test positive for Covid yourself, even if you’ve had both vaccinations, you’ll also still need to isolate to protect yourself and others.

The Delta variant spreads faster than the previously most common variant so while the legal restrictions may now have been lifted, we all need to remain cautious as the pandemic is not over and we haven’t returned to normal just yet.

See the local case rates and vaccination data for the area using the interactive map on the government website.

The vaccine brings hope and this week the government announced that more than 75 per cent of UK adults had now been double-jabbed.

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, please do it as soon as possible to protect yourself and loved ones and to enjoy socialising safely.

You can book online or find details of local walk-in clinics on the Healthier Together website.

Older teenagers are now being offered the Covid vaccine for the first time.

The first 16 and 17-year-olds are starting to be contacted by their GP practices to book their vaccination, as the roll-out is extended to younger people.

Anyone who is currently 17 and turning 18 within the next three months can now book the vaccine online without needing to go through their GP.

Visit the NHS website to do this.

Rapid tests are the best way of putting your mind at ease before meeting up with friends and family.

If you haven’t got any coronavirus symptoms, doing a rapid lateral flow test will ensure you’re not passing on coronavirus unknowingly.

Tests are changing so make sure you follow the instructions in your particular packet.

The newer version of the test is only to be used for the nose and the instructions are slightly different.

If you’ve got the original version, you’ll still need to get a throat swab too.

Check carefully which version you’ve got before you start the test.

Tests are free and everyone can take them twice a week.

This type of testing helps pick up cases that might otherwise be missed, so people who have the virus without symptoms can then self-isolate.

Our mobile rapid testing vans will be out this week so you can visit the team and do a test there and then or take a kit home with you.

Vans will be open 10am to 5pm tomorrow (Saturday) at Weston-super-Mare seafront near the Tropicana and by the Lakeside Café at the Lake Grounds in Portishead.

On Sunday (15 August), vans will be at Weston seafront near the Tropicana and in Queen’s Square, Clevedon.

Next week's times are:

• Monday (16 August) - Hutton Moor Leisure Centre car park, Weston-super-Mare, and Haywood Road, Pill
• Tuesday 17 August - Lake Grounds Esplanade, Portishead, and the Italian Gardens, Weston-super-Mare
• Wednesday 18 August - For All Healthy Living Centre, Lonsdale Avenue, Weston-super-Mare, and the Italian Gardens, Weston-super-Mare
• Thursday 19 August - Queen’s Square, Clevedon, and Winscombe Community Centre (morning), and The Woodborough Inn car park, Winscombe (afternoon)
• Friday 20 August - Scotch Horn Leisure Centre car park, Nailsea, and Long Ashton Community Centre
• Saturday 21 August - Weston seafront near the Tropicana and Parish Warf car park in Portishead
• Sunday 22 August - Weston seafront near the Tropicana and Queen’s Square in Clevedon

Health providers are still facing significant pressures as staff deal with coronavirus cases and the backlog of treatments that were paused during the height of the pandemic. 

There are things we can do to help:

·       coughs, colds and common childhood illnesses can also be treated at home.

·       visit your local pharmacist for advice and medication for ailments such as colds, flu, upset stomachs or insect bites

·       if you have a minor injury such as a sprain, strain, broken bone or minor head injury, you can go straight to your local minor injury unit.

·       contact NHS 111 first before going to your local A&E, unless it’s a life-threatening emergency when you should call 999.