Remember simple precautions after rise in COVID cases during June

People in Oxfordshire are being reminded to remember simple COVID precautions in response to the county, and country as a whole, currently going through another phase of rising cases.

During the last two to three weeks case numbers in the county have doubled, with a new sub-variant of Omicron thought to be one of the chief drivers of the rises being seen in Oxfordshire and elsewhere.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “It’s been great for everyone to relax after the difficult last couple of years we’ve had with rules of varying kinds meaning restrictions on our lives.

“Currently there are no restrictions but there is still good, solid guidance that people are advised to observe to protect themselves and their families, particularly vulnerable and elderly people.

“The main bit of advice is to stay at home if you feel unwell – but it’s also worth reminding people of all those things that we learned during the height of the pandemic to reduce the risk of COVID spreading.

“This includes ventilating indoor spaces and washing your hands. During periods of good weather being outdoors rather than indoors also helps reduce risks.

“We expect to see fluctuations in cases and it remains the case we need to learn to live with COVID, but we need to strike a sensible balance and I would ask people to take precautions while cases are on the rise. Let’s enjoy the summer and our regained freedoms but keep in mind that COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and we all need to play our part to live safely.”

Masks save lives

 Masks save lives so keep yours on when in public or crowded places

Moving to step 4 explained with British Sign Language

 

Lets take care as we go to step 3

 

From 17 May, let's celebrate but protect our new freedom

From the 17th May we can start to enjoy even greater freedom and move a step closer to normality. Socialising indoors in groups of up to six people or two households, overnight stays, and limited international travel are just some of the changes.

Thank you to everyone for pulling together to get to this point. Continuing to follow the hands, face, space, fresh air guidelines, along with testing twice a week, will ensure this is a confident step forward.

Click here to read more info from the OCC

Is the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine safe?

There is no evidence linking the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to an increased risk of blood clots, EU and UK regulators have ruled.

Several European countries have resumed the roll-out of the jab after temporarily pausing it because of concerns.

To read the full story from the BBC click this LINK

Everything you need to know about the Oxford Vaccine Video 

Spring 2021 RoadMap Video Explainer - Public Health England

 

Step 1 and 2 of the government's roadmap

 

Join in a free open conversation about the Covid vaccination

 

Time for us all to play our part and save our NHS

 

Lets all do our part to protect the NHS

 

Christmas Message

 Dear All Oxford City Unison Members,

We would just like to send you all a message of hope and to wish you all a very happy Christmas in these difficult times! I don’t think any of us have ever seen a time like this, where we have been so restricted in what we do, especially when at this time of year, is the time where friends and family are meant to come together! But remember it’s ONE year! we will make up for it, I know I will !!!

Please do keep to the rules and stay safe, we will come out of this better and stronger together!


On another note!
See below information that went out in Gordon Mitchel’s communication last night regarding the new restrictions and what that means for us all over the Christmas period, make sure you read and understand. If you need any further clarification please contact your stewards or me at office@oxfordcityunison.com

What does Tier 4 mean for the City Council’s work?

Under these new restrictions, the Council will continue to work to maintain its services to residents and businesses across the city, while adjusting its operations and working practices in line with Government guidance.

Leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres and indoor gyms, indoor swimming pools are to be closed. This includes Council-owned leisure facilities, gyms, and swimming pools.

Our Customer Services will be stopping its face-to-face operations from Friday 25 December to Monday 4 January at St Aldate’s Chambers and Rose Hill Community Centre. But continuing an online and reduced telephone customer service over this period.

From 4 January Customer Services will recommence an appointment based service for those residents that require face to face support. However, we will be encouraging customers to use our online services where they can, through the Council's website where they can talk to officers through the webchat service. Video calls from home are also available by phoning the Customer Contact Centre on 01865 249811.

We will continue operating our Locality Resource Hubs to help people in need of assistance to access food, medicines and essential supplies. The hubs cover Blackbird Leys, East Oxford, Rose Hill, West Oxford, Central Oxford, and North Oxford. 

Support from Customer Services and the Hubs can range from simple information about local support services to providing advice and support to those with financial hardship, housing needs or needing help accessing care services.

Hubs can be contacted by phoning the Council on 01865 249 811 or using the online form

Tier 4 restrictions mean:
 

• Stay at home, except for permitted reasons. This includes shopping for food and other essentials, exercise, education, childcare, collecting prescriptions, medical appointments, essential work, and attending a place of worship.
• Everyone who can work effectively from home should do so.
• You cannot meet other people socially indoors or in a private garden unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble.
• You can exercise (unlimited) or meet in a public outdoor place with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person at a safe social distance.
• Don't travel to other areas – it is not permitted (other than for legally permitted reasons) to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Shops selling non-essential goods and market stalls not selling food must close.
• Cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs remain closed but can serve takeaways, click and collect and delivery orders.
• Personal care, hair and beauty salons must close, as should tattoo, massage and spa venues.
• Entertainment venues, indoor attractions and leisure facilities must close.
• Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend health appointments. If they cannot work from home, they are advised not to go to work and claim any support where eligible.

On behalf of your branch, we ask you to follow guidelines and support your friends and colleagues that may be struggling if any of you have any concerns please let us know, we are all available to support you!

Once again

Merry Christmas & Best wishes

Caroline on behalf of your Branch Committee

A cold, flu or coronavirus - which one do I have?

A blocked or runny nose, a sore throat and a cough are common, especially in the winter. But how do you know if you have coronavirus? 

Check out the video from the BBC for a little guidance, to watch just click the below link:-

Oxford City Branch of UNISON: A cold, flu or coronavirus - which one do I have?

Time for us to do our bit.

 

We all have a responsibility to stop the spread of coronavirus

Make sure your workplace is COVID-19 Secure.

Click HERE for the latest guidance on how to stay safe at work

Want to contribute to research in Oxford?

 

Want to contribute to research in Oxford, and understand if you are currently infected with coronavirus?

If you have experienced symptoms of coronavirus within the past seven days then you are eligible to take part in a new research study.

Click HERE  for more info

Do it for your grandparents

 

Your Covid Recovery.

If you’ve had coronavirus, you may still be experiencing some symptoms. Find out how the new Your Covid Recovery website can help click HERE for help and advise from the NHS.

UNISON Face Coverings

Today Oxford City Branch of UNISON has started rolling our face masks to our members who are having to go out every day delivering essential key services. 

Made from a polyester spandex stretch material our tests have found that their flexibility is helping our members stay safe when delivering their key services.

If you would like one please talk to your local steward or email office@oxfordcityunison.com 

Your see our stewards have been testing out there flexibility 

 

Tests for coronavirus are free. No one from NHS Test and Trace will ever ask you to pay for a test. You will also NOT be asked to provide:
❌ any passwords
❌ bank account details
❌ pin numbers

Find out more about how NHS Test and Trace works:
➡️ Click here to get a test