“Extreme caution” urged over North Yorkshire care home visits
North Yorkshire County Council has sent out a detailed letter and published updated advice this week about visiting for people who live in care settings.
‘Be extremely careful and cautious’
Following the Prime Minister’s announcements on 19 December, this letter also provides information on the tier restrictions, testing and the roll-out of the vaccination programme.
Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult Services, said: “Firstly, we want to thank everyone for all you have done since the start of the pandemic to reduce the risk of transmission. There have been huge sacrifices made by individuals and communities. Unfortunately, infection rates across North Yorkshire are up to ten times higher than they were over the summer months. The virus is still out there and increasing significantly in some parts of the County.
"We are facing the possibility of a spike going into Christmas, and almost certainly, in the New Year. There is also a new Coronavirus strain which spreads more rapidly, although it is not believed to lead to more severe symptoms.
“All of these factors make for added complications for people living in care, given the disproportionate impact the virus has on older and disabled people. We know that people are anxious to understand what the changes mean for being able to see loved ones and we address these issues in the letter.
“Consequently, our main message is this: be extremely careful and cautious. In the words of the Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer, assume that many people are likely to be infectious! We must minimise our social contacts further, and we must all stay vigilant with facemasks, hand washing and social distancing.
It will be so tempting to hug and kiss your loved ones, but please don’t. Maintain a social distance, as hard as this will be. We are so close to the vaccination programme being more readily available, so please do everything possible now to protect them.
‘This Christmas will be very different to other years’
The County Council acknowledges that this news is all the harder at a time when people would normally be meeting up and celebrating with friends and family.
Richard Webb added: “As our Hindu, Jewish and Muslim communities know from recent changes to major events in the calendar, Covid-19 will mean that this Christmas will be very different to other years. All of us feel the sadness and heartbreak that comes with this situation and many of us will worry about not being able to see loved ones face to face.
“But we are so close to the vaccination programme rolling out to keep people safe and none of us want to give Covid to our loved ones as our gift for Christmas and the New Year.”
