A VITAL document aimed at helping to manage future outbreaks of coronavirus in St Helens has been published.

The outbreak management plan, which was published on Tuesday, aims to ensure an effective and coordinated approach for the prevention and management of COVID-19 outbreaks in St Helens.

The document says that having the plan will help create the conditions for social and economic restrictions to be safely relaxed, prevent transmission, manage outbreaks, and provide advice and reassurance.

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“With COVID-19 circulating and with no current vaccine, no effective treatments and unknown immunity in our communities, outbreaks of COVID-19 in St Helens could have a serious impact on the health and wellbeing of our population,” the report says.

“Having an effective system is imperative to ensure we manage local outbreaks and reduce the risk to our wider population.”

The Department of Health and Social Care say local outbreak plans should focus on seven key areas: care homes and schools; high risk places; locations and communities; local testing capacity; contact tracing in complex settings; data integration; vulnerable people and local boards.

Seven objectives are outlined in the plan, which include identifying the source of the outbreak and implement necessary control measures to prevent further spread.

The plans says NHS Test and Trace service and the outbreak management plan should help St Helens to return to “as normal as possible”.

However, it warns that if needed, “local actions” will be put in place – likely referring to a tightening of lockdown measures – in order to contain the spread of the virus.

St Helens Star: Test and Trace service will be crucial to effective outbreak management Test and Trace service will be crucial to effective outbreak management

The report says: “The primary objectives of the national Test and Trace service and the local outbreak management arrangements is to control the COVID-19 infection rate, reduce the spread of infection and thus save lives.

“In doing so this will help to return life to as normal as possible, for as many people as possible, in a way that is safe, protects our health and care systems, protects the most vulnerable and releases our economy.

“Ideally, these actions should prevent any return to lockdown in a geographical area or setting, however, if needed local actions will be put in place to manage the spread of COVID-19.

“To ensure that we do this effectively, we will need to work with our residents and communities in St Helens.”

Depending on the type of outbreak, the document says, specialists will develop plans and actions to prevent further spread and implement control measures, as necessary.

The management of these outbreaks are reported to the Health Protection Forum, which was recently reconstituted to the COVID-19 Health Protection Board, and is chaired by St Helens’ director of Public Health, Sue Forster.

St Helens Star: Sue Forster, St Helens Borough Council's director of Public Health Sue Forster, St Helens Borough Council's director of Public Health

An outbreak management board, chaired by St Helens Borough Council leader David Baines and comprising of appropriate senior officers and cabinet members, has also been established and met for the first time on Tuesday.

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Both of these committees will present information and recommendations to the People’s Board and cabinet, as appropriate, for council related decisions.

“Boards will need to be responsive to outbreaks and changes in infection rates and make quick recommendations and/or decisions on prevention and protection measures for the local population of St Helens,” the report says.

To read St Helens Borough Council’s outbreak management plan for COVID-19, click here.