68,537 people in the borough have had a second Covid-19 vaccination and pop-up clinics have been set up this weekend for anyone over 18 to get first jab

Date published: 21 May 2021

More than 68,000 people in the Rochdale borough have now received their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and over 118,000 people in the borough have also received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The number of positive cases in the borough has remained virtually the same in the past seven days, at 40 cases per 100,000 people (week ending 16 May).

In his weekly update, chief executive of Rochdale Council, Steve Rumbelow informed councillors that cases of the so-called Indian variant are still relatively low in the Rochdale borough but likely to carry on rising without additional measures. On that basis, a number of additional vaccination clinics have been arranged for this weekend for those who have not yet been vaccinated, and those over the age of 18.

 

 

Pop up clinics

Extra walk-in clinics are being put in place across the borough and there will also be a drive-through site at Rochdale Football Club.

More than 16,000 residents in the highest priority groups have been offered the jab but are still to have their first dose. The vaccine being offered is the Pfizer jab.

Now they – and all over-18s – are being encouraged to come forward so they are protected from the new variants spreading in some areas of the country.

No appointment is needed but people who are booked in elsewhere should stick to their existing dates.

Lower vaccination uptake coincides with higher Covid-19 transmission rates, so it is hoped the clinics will boost vaccine take-up – helping to prevent an increase in infections and hospitalisations.

If you live in the Rochdale borough but aren’t registered with a Rochdale GP, you are advised to take some identification to show proof of address.

More information is available at: rochdale.gov.uk/CovidVaccine

The clinics will be held at:

• Wardleworth Community Centre, South Street, Rochdale, OL16 2EP (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm)
• Bowlee Park Community School, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 4LA (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm)
• Rochdale Football Club, *drive-through site* in the car park off Willbutts Lane, *Use postcode OL11 5AY* (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm)
• Rochdale Infirmary, OL12 0NB. (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May 10am to 6pm) *The clinic can be accessed at the outpatients entrance on Quarry Street*
• Kashmiri Youth Project, Belfield Road, Rochdale OL16 2UP (Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm)

 

Read more: Rochdale ramps up vaccination programme - pop-up clinics set up this weekend for anyone over 18 to get first jabPublished: 20 May 2021

 

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Progress of local vaccination programme

In his weekly update, chief executive of Rochdale Council, Steve Rumbelow informed councillors that although the infection rate has fallen, this is still above the current national average.

Rates amongst the Asian population still remain higher than in the white population.

Mr Rumbelow said: “We are seeing increasing numbers of the so-called Indian variant, which spreads faster and is classed as a ‘variant of concern’. This is the variant that has taken hold in Bolton, leading to increased hospital admissions and a number of deaths; some of which are reported to have been people that had been offered the vaccine but not taken it.

“Numbers of the new variant are still relatively low in our borough but likely to carry on rising without additional measures. On that basis, a number of additional vaccination clinics have been arranged for this weekend. They are all for first doses and will be the Pfizer vaccine. No appointment is needed and anyone resident over 18 can attend.”

There are currently no admissions for covid patients and visiting restrictions are therefore being lifted. Non-covid demand is still very high and patients are being screened for any links to Bolton. The urgent care centre at the Infirmary has been particularly busy this week with people turning up in the early hours.

Second vaccine doses in care homes are now up to 82 per cent of residents and 43 per cent of staff.

The chief executive continued: “The hot site for people recovering from the virus remains empty. Given what we are seeing happening in other boroughs in terms of rising cases; as a precautionary measure we have written to care homes asking them to reduce visitors back to two for the time being.

“We already offer a comprehensive covid support package for our residents who have to isolate. The GM Intensive Isolation Pathfinder will allow us to enhance this further and we will be targeting this in neighbourhoods where we’ve seen consistently high levels of the virus and a lower uptake of the vaccination.

“Alongside the development of support plans and self-isolation packs we will be increasing our street engagement, door knocking, business support and communications to further enable our residents to adhere to the ten-day isolation guidance.”

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Case numbers in the borough have risen in the past seven days. The rate for the Rochdale borough for the week ending 14 May is 43 cases per 100,000 people, down from 46 cases per 100,000 the week before.

 

 

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Residents aged 38 and over can now book appointments for vaccinations through the NHS booking service.

Phase 2 of the vaccination programme is now underway and people in England aged 38 and over can now book appointments at one of the national large-scale vaccination sites through the NHS booking service.
 

Read more: If you're 38 or over, you can now have the Covid vaccinePublished: 13 May 2021

 

Residents in the Rochdale borough in groups one to nine, which includes everyone aged 50 and over, who have not yet had their first dose of a vaccine can phone or email to book.

Residents aged 50 or over, those who have been advised to shield by the government (the clinically extremely vulnerable), people over 16 with long term conditions, carers and health and social care workers who are registered with a GP in the borough (Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow and Rochdale), can book an appointment at one of the four vaccination centres in the borough by calling 0300 303 0355 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm) or emailing hmrccg.hmr.enquiries@nhs.net.

 

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Lifting lockdown

The latest stage of relaxing lockdown restrictions came into effect on Monday 17 May, with more restrictions due to be lifted next month.

Six people or two households are now permitted to meet indoors. Pubs and restaurants have reopened indoors as well as cinemas, children's activity centres, hotels, theatres and sports stadiums.

Organised indoor sport and fitness classes are able to take place for all.

All holiday accommodation can open (including hotels and B&Bs). This can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households.

The number of people permitted at funerals is no longer be limited to 30 people, but determined by how many people the Covid-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing. Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events are also increased to 30 people.

The number of visitors permitted to visit care home residents has increased to five per resident (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for Covid-19.
 

Read more: What you can do from Monday 17 MayPublished: 14 May 2021

 

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Where to be vaccinated?

The borough has four community vaccination centres in operation; in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough. These local sites are run by groups of GPs with the support of the council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group. Vaccinations are also being administered at Rochdale Infirmary.

There are also 11 large scale vaccination centres and 38 pharmacy led sites across the North West that residents can book through the national booking service online or over the phone.

The national booking system can not be used to book in at any of the local vaccination hubs within the borough. If it is not convenient for you to travel out of the borough for a vaccination, you can opt to wait to be invited to attend one of the local vaccination centres in the Rochdale borough instead.

When it is your turn to receive the vaccine, you will be contacted by Rochdale Health Alliance or your GP surgery and invited to go for your appointment. If you’re not registered with a GP, you will need to register with one.

You must have an appointment to receive the vaccine. You cannot just turn up at one of the vaccination service centres.

Answers to key questions around the vaccination process can be found at:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine

 

 

The local FAST test programme has four test sites across the borough.

Anyone who cannot work from home or comes into regular contact with the public is encouraged to take up this offer of new Find And Stop Transmission (FAST) testing to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other residents.

The FAST testing programme, which use lateral flow tests, aims to identify those who unknowingly have the virus as they have no symptoms – otherwise known as asymptomatic.

As part of the national roadmap out of restrictions, the government is asking the public to take-up twice weekly FAST testing. This is quick and easy to do and you will be playing your part in helping to stop the spread of the virus, while teams work on the vaccine rollout.

You can take part at your local FAST testing site or through community collect packs.
 

Read more: Covid-19 testing packs available across the boroughPublished: 21 April 2021

FAST tests are only for people showing no symptoms. You must not attend if you have any symptoms. Tests are
free and there is no need to book you can simply turn up at one of the sites across the borough:

Rochdale – Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN

• Mon to Thurs 9am - 5pm
• Fri 10am - 6pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Heywood – York House Surgery, York Street, Heywood, OL10 4NN

• Mon 10am - 6pm
• Tues to Fri 9am - 5pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Middleton – Bowlee Sports Centre, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 4LA

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Littleborough – Hare Hill Bowling Club, Townhouse Road Littleborough, OL15 9BG

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Every Monday (except Easter Monday) at Alkrington Community Centre, Hardfield Rd, Middleton, M24 1TQ – Open 11am to 6pm.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do not attend one of the FAST test sites. You should book a test online or by phoning 101.

 

 

The borough has three local test centres:

• Rochdale - in the car park at Rochdale Leisure Centre, Entwisle Road, Rochdale OL16 2HZ
• Middleton - in the marquee on the Market Place Car Park next to Middleton Arena, Old Hall Street, Middleton M24 1AG
• Heywood - Heywood Civic Centre, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW

You must drive, walk or cycle to the site - do not use a taxi or public transport. If this is not possible, you'll need to order yourself a home test.

• www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test