Dear John,

🦠 Over the past week, Harrow has seen 72 cases of coronavirus, which is down 7 cases from last week. The rate per 100,000 is down to 28 in Harrow today, down from 48 at this time last month. Across North West London, we have now seen the administration of 1.35 million vaccines - with the focus in Harrow to reach 92.5% coverage across cohort groups 1-9 over the next week. All residents aged 38 and older, are now being invited to receive the vaccine . 

Whilst the level of Covid-19 circulating in the community remains lower than a few weeks ago, we are seeing a small rise in cases, however, it is important to state that we are seeing a significant decrease in the number of hospitalisations and deaths attributed to the virus.

🚧 Update on the new Covid-19 variant, B1617.2 🚧

Following a call with the Vaccine Minister on Friday morning please find the below update:

⚠️There have been 72 'clusters' of the new Indian variant found in the UK (B1617.2) with 10 of these clusters being more than 20 cases. 

⚠️By region, London had the highest number of confirmed and suspected cases of the mutant variant - 400 as of Wednesday, accounting for almost a third of total Covid cases in the capital.

⚠️This new variant is more infectious but there is no new evidence that it makes people more sick.

⚠️There is emerging evidence that the vaccine could be 'less protective' against the new variant. 

⚠️In areas of need, the vaccination programme may be flexed, with a potential focus of earlier second doses. 

⚠️The Government has said they will work with local communities to arrange surge testing in specific areas to isolate the spread. We do not yet know if there will be surge testing for cases of the Indian variant in Harrow (this will be based on genomic sequencing) but this is being watched closely.

⚠️So far, surge testing has been launched in 15 areas, including Bolton, Formby and parts of London, while increased genomic sequencing and enhanced contact tracing are among other measures being used to prevent the spread of the variant.

Hospital admissions are down at a local level and it is clear the vaccines are effective in terms of hospitalisation and severe infections. Please take the vaccine when it is offered to you. Stay safe and continue to follow the Public Health guidance - I will continue to keep you updated. We must not show complacency as restrictions ease.

My thoughts continue to be with the loved ones of those who have died, and with those who have contracted the virus. Again, I can only begin to imagine the sense of fear and loss families must be feeling. 

I hope readers continue to stay safe and regularly check in on loved ones.  As always, people are being urged to remain vigilant for any symptoms of Covid-19 If you're feeling unwell with any of the symptoms of Covid, a new continuous cough, high temperature, or a loss of or change to taste or smell, it's vital that you get tested. If you feel fine and are leaving the house on a regular basis – please do get a free rapid test and help stop the asymptomatic spread via  https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

The response to Coronavirus is being directed by Government centrally working with Public Health England, the Government’s advice is available here. Government assistance specifically for businesses  is available here.  

A reminder that if you need to get in touch about the issues covered here – or anything else – please contact my office on 0207 219 4243 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Please bear with us, as we have received five times our regular casework correspondence in recent months.

🚧 Roadmap changes from tomorrow 🚧

The third phase of the roadmap out of lockdown comes into effect tomorrow, Monday 17th May 2021. These changes include:

🏠You can now meet as two households or rule of six, indoors and outdoors 

💪🏼Gyms and team sports can continue both indoors and outdoors 

⛱️Holidays can take place at home and abroad (please note the traffic light system in place🚦) 

🍝You can dine at restaurants and bars as two households or rule of six, indoors and outdoors 

💍Weddings can now be attended by 30 guests 

🛐Cultural venues are now open 

🎶Live events can take place at a 50% capacity 

🏫Schools and childcare remain open 

⚠️Nightclubs are still closed for the time being 

Whilst these restrictions indicate a return to normalcy, I still urge all to follow the rules and keep others safe.  The response to Coronavirus is being directed by Government centrally working with Public Health England, the Government’s advice is available here. Government assistance specifically for businesses is available here.  

Red, Amber and Green list rules for travel ✈️

Last week, the Government announced green, amber and red lists for travelling abroad. Red and amber countries are not yet permitted for travel for the purpose of leisure. If you have been in one of these countries in the 10 days before entering the UK, you must follow the relevant quarantining rules.

However, from tomorrow, there are a new green list of countries and territories. People arriving from green list countries will not have to quarantine, although will still need to fill out a passenger locator form, have a pre-departure test and a test on or before day 2 of their return.

You must only have been in or travelled through a green list country or the Common Travel Area in the previous 10 days for these rules to apply.

Green list countries and territories (from May 17):

Full details on the lists and rules can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england

Byron Hall Mass Vaccination Centre

Byron Hall mass vaccination centre is now open. All those aged 38 and older, are being invited to receive the vaccine. If you live in Harrow or the surrounding area and you have not yet had your Covid-19 vaccine, you can now book into Byron Hall here: https://byronhall.nhsbookings.com/v2/

When you attend for your vaccine please bring some ID with you and your NHS number if you have it.

The vaccine is currently being given to:

- Visit the nhs.uk website for more info and guidance on how to book: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

Harrow Council

The council has a webpage covering their own response to the coronavirus pandemic, this is regularly being updated and is available here.  

Book a free test online or call 119

😷 Getting tested at a local testing centre: 🧪

Feel Fine? Get Tested

Rapid test centres are opening across Harrow and have stopped hundreds of people from spreading Coronavirus so far. 1 in 3 people with Covid do not display any symptoms & mobile units across Harrow have already identified hundreds of people who did not know they were Covid positive

You can test at 18 sites across Harrow, including at many pharmacies, open 7 days a week. 

Book a free test: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/test

As always, book a test if:

Book a free test  - Tests must be booked in advance. 

Restart Grants

Restart Grants for businesses affected by the coronavirus restrictions are now open for applications. The Restart Grant is a one-off grant, payable to eligible businesses that were mandated to close under the recent national lockdown and those predominantly reliant on delivering in-person services to the general public in the non-essential retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

You can see more details on eligibility and apply for the grant here: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/local-restrictions-support-grant/4

Finding Support

The renewed lockdown measures will have created anxiety and stress for many. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you are worried about your mental health: Samaritans: 116 123, CALM: 0800 58 58 58, Young Minds:0800 018 2138, The Mix (under 25s): 0808 808 4994, Harrow Council also encourage calling the Coronavirus Hotline: 0208 901 2698

Harrow Talking Therapies

If you're anxious, feeling low or stressed about the impact of the virus on you or loved ones, Harrow Talking Therapies Service is here to help.

Part of the NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy service, it supports people feeling isolated or worrying about what's going on, as well those dealing with depression, bereavement and insomnia. 

Available via phone or video call: https://talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk/harrow

Coronavirus Hotline

The council continues to operate a hotline telephone number during weekends in order to provide support to those in need of assistance in Harrow - if you are in need of support due to Covid please give the hotline a call - 0208 901 2698

Guide to Tax Debt and Mental Health​

https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-refunds/uk-tax-refund-advice/tax-debt-and-mental-health/

Some of the topics in the above guide to tax debt and mental health will be of support to constituents, in order to:

Understand the impact of debt to mental health - the different kinds of debt (e.g. tax debt) and how they can be a key source of stress, depression, and anxiety if not planned and managed properly.

Advice for dealing with debt such as setting up a Debt Management Plan or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), qualifying for a Debt Relief Order (DRO), or even filing bankruptcy to get some protection and keep life essentials like pension savings safe from creditors.

What to do if debt problems begin affecting your mental health. This includes recognizing the symptoms and early warning signs of mental health problems associated with debt as well as advice on where to turn to for help and support.

Other useful information and resources, including debt charities and organisations that are dedicated to helping people conquer their debt problems.

Support for Domestic Abuse Victims

Anyone that is experiencing domestic abuse can now go into a Boots or an independent chemist and seek help. If they say the codeword ‘ANI’ (pronounced Annie), they’ll be taken to a private room and asked if they want to call 999 or a domestic abuse helpline. ANI stands for Action Needed Immediately.

📞National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

📞Respect helpline for male victims of abuse 0808 8010327

Firm Foundation

Due to COVID - FirmFoundation have suspended drop-in facilities. If you are homeless and rough sleeping, you can call Streetlink on 0300 5000 914. Ring Harrow Council on 020 8424 1093 – you can also contact FirmFoundation through the Contact Us page on their website or call the office on 02084265515.

Fresh Horizons CND

The Fresh Horizons CND charity based in Wembley has supported accommodation available for the single homeless in Harrow during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions. If you or someone you know is in need of supported accommodation, Fresh Horizons can be contacted by telephone at 0300 321 4702 or via email at [email protected]

Support for children and young people

Harrow Council, Harrow CCG, and Young Harrow Foundation have put together a joint document signposting residents to a collection of some of the most helpful and trusted sources of information and guidance for children and young people’s wellbeing.

For young people (high school and college age), the document ‘looking after ourselves’ can be found here – covering how to stay healthy, stay connected and learn new skills during this time.

Support and online resources for the family

Harrow Council have collected a range of online resources  for all members of the family to keep entertained while libraries are closed. You will be able to find resource to help with homework, eBooks, newspapers and magazines and keeping yourself healthy and motivated.

Counselling services and mental health support

•       5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing   - A fantastic primer on stress, anxiety and depression from the NHS. Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

·       Relate Family Mediation  - a service fully geared up to supporting families through the crisis. Tel: 0300 0032324 or email i[email protected].

·       DAWN  - provide a counselling service to the local community of Harrow and its neighbouring boroughs. Tel: 020 8427 6796 or email: [email protected]

·       Need To Talk  - offering 1 to 1 counselling supporting their clients or any client by telephone or webcam. Tel: call/ text on 07427548559 or email [email protected]

·       Ignite Trust   - During these challenging and uncertain times, Ignite Trust is working hard to ensure they continue to provide support to the boroughs most vulnerable and at-risk young people. Email [email protected].

·        Every Mind Matters - Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Can you provide support?

London's Community Kitchen

London's Community Kitchen (based at The Bridge, next to Harrow Leisure Centre) run a Free Surplus Food Market open to everyone every Friday from 3-5PM . This operation continues to serve over 10,000 people across Harrow and London. Please consider donating or getting involved in any way that you can with this incredible Harrow-wide response to the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.londonscommunitykitchen.com/home-1

If you’re ever in need of their support, the Community Kitchen want to help - they won’t ask you for any details, or anything in return, just turn up and they will provide you with food.

Volunteer:

The Community Kitchen would love any support to keep their operation running as effectively as possible. Please get in touch with Vivette Morrow: [email protected]  and once you have had a Covid test, she will help set you up as a volunteer!

Harrow Foodbank

Harrow Foodbank continues to highlight the impact of in-work poverty and the number of ways that people find themselves at a crisis point. Donations are accepted in collection bins after checkout at all major supermarkets. The Foodbank continue to emphasise the majority of its users are in work, but many are in need of emergency food provisions. If you can, please consider providing a monetary donation to the food bank, they have acquired a van and plan to make deliveries to vulnerable residents across the borough in 2021 - send an email to [email protected] or visit Harrow.foodbank.org.uk for more.

Help from me

I appreciate that whilst this outbreak of Covid-19 is currently dominating a lot of our thoughts, other concerns and problems do not disappear. However, to help reduce the spread of infection, I am asking members of the public who need to contact my office to do so by phone or email rather than in person and further, I will continue to hold surgery appointments exclusively by telephone and Zoom video conferencing. This is a temporary measure and a sensible precaution to protect vulnerable people.  Please be assured we continue to offer a full service of advice and support to members of the public who need it. 

My office can be contacted on [email protected] or by telephone on 0207 219 4243 (Monday-Friday). Please bear with us, as we have received five times our regular casework correspondence in recent months.

Stay safe,

Gareth