As London passed a tragic milestone of more than 10,000 deaths from Coronavirus, councils across the capital are urging residents to #KeepLondonSafe by staying home and only going out when absolutely necessary. Reducing contacts to a minimum and following the mantra of hands, face, space when outside your home can stop the spread.

PHE London Regional Director Professor Kevin Fenton reiterates the calls for urgent action to ease pressure on the capital's hospitals at a critical point in the pandemic in the short video below (click image to play).  

The NHS has confirmed the opening of a second large scale vaccination hub in London, at Network House, part of the Olympic Office Centre in Wembley.

The centre, which has been developed with the support of Brent Council, will begin vaccinating the over-80s and health and care staff next week.

Letters are being sent to people aged 80 and over who live up to a 45-minute drive from the new centre and who have not already been vaccinated, inviting them to book an appointment either by phone or online through the national booking system.

The capital's first large scale vaccination centre opened at the ExcEl Centre in Newham last week.

Southwark Chief Executive, Eleanor Kelly, has been asked on a temporary basis to join the national programme to roll out the Covid-19 vaccine, as the Local Authority CEO adviser. 

As the local government representative on the programme, she will ensure councils, the NHS and the community sector are working closely together to make sure local people know how and when to get the vaccine, and address local concerns to maximise uptake.

London Councils' Executive met yesterday (19 January). Items on the agenda included London Councils' climate change strategy 2021/22; An update from London Councils' pandemic steering committee; business support and pan-London developments in health and care improvements.

You can read the full agenda and download reports to the Executive here.