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North Lincolnshire CouncilPeople, health and careCoronavirus (Covid-19)

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Changes to rules on PCR tests

In England, people without symptoms and receive positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be required to self-isolate immediately and won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test. People with symptoms should book a PCR test.

As now, people self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period if they test negative on both day five and six and do not have a temperature.

This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high across the UK. Whilst levels of COVID-19 are high, the vast majority of people with positive LFD results can be confident that they have COVID-19. Read more details on the government website.

Some people will still be advised to get a confirmatory PCR:

  • People who want to apply for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP)
  • People participating in some research or surveillance programmes
  • People who have received a positive Day 2 LFD after arriving into the UK (to help us understand if and where potentially dangerous variants are emerging around the world).

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

England has moved to Plan B in response to the risks of the Omicron variant.

This means:

  • face coverings are required by law in most indoor settings
  • certain venues and events will be required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption.

See the full guidance on the Gov.uk website including when you need to wear a face covering.

Coronavirus testing, vaccination and looking after yourself

From Monday 17 January all isolation periods for positive cases, in England, can leave self-isolation if they:

  • take two lateral flow tests on subsequent days, at least a full 24 hours apart, with the first test on at least the fifth full day of their self-isolation (not counting the ‘onset day’).
  • obtain negative results on both these days and do not have a high temperature.

You must self-isolate if you test positive.  This is the law.

GPs across the Humber, Coast and Vale have put together videos in over 20 languages to promote a simple message around the safety and benefit of our vaccines. This includes a new video on women’s health and the vaccine.

Daily rapid testing for COVID-19 contacts

People who are fully vaccinated and identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 – whether Omicron or not – should take an NHS rapid lateral flow test every day for 7 days to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

  • Those who test positive or develop symptoms will need to self-isolate
  • Unvaccinated adults must continue to self-isolate for 10 days if they are a contact of someone with COVID-19
  • It follows a significant rise in Omicron cases which is now the dominant strain in the UK.

The practical move comes as Omicron infections are rising significantly in the UK. It aims to reduce pressures on people’s everyday lives by replacing the requirement for Omicron contacts to isolate for 10 days, while protecting the public by identifying asymptomatic cases and stopping the chains of transmission. Testing daily will also help us understand how and where the virus is spreading.

Close contacts of people who test positive are at higher risk of getting COVID-19 and, with 1 in 3 people asymptomatic, daily testing will help ensure people are not unknowingly passing the virus on to others.

As now, anyone whose test comes back positive or who develops COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate.

*As of 17 January, all isolation periods for positive cases, in England, can leave self-isolation if they:

    • take two lateral flow tests on subsequent days, at least a full 24 hours apart, with the first test on at least the fifth full day of their self-isolation (not counting the ‘onset day’).
    • obtain negative results on both these days and do not have a high temperature.

Anyone identified as a contact with a negative rapid lateral flow result is strongly advised to limit close contact with other people outside their household, especially in crowded or enclosed spaces and with anyone who is more vulnerable. They should also follow government guidance on wearing a face covering and working from home where possible.

Unvaccinated adults are not eligible for this new daily testing policy, they must self-isolate for 10 days if they are a contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 – Omicron or not – unless eligible for an existing workplace daily contact testing.

PCR mobile testing sites

PCR tests are available at two additional mobile testing units in North Lincolnshire or by post. Please book through the Gov website. These  sites are in addition to the current testing site at Centenary Way, Scunthorpe. Also bookable on the Gov website.

The additional mobile testing units are at; Scunthorpe United Football Ground (Glanford Park, Jack Brownsword Way, Scunthorpe DN15 8TD) and Waters’ Edge site in Barton (Maltkiln Rd, Barton-upon-Humber DN18 5JR).

  • Sunday  – Scunthorpe United – 10am to 12.30pm
  • Monday – Scunthorpe United – 9am to 3pm
  • Tuesday – Waters’ Edge – 10am to 3pm
  • Wednesday – Waters’ Edge – 10am to 3pm.

Coronavirus testing in North Lincolnshire

Two types of testing are available in North Lincolnshire:

COVID-19 Local Testing Sites are available to anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19, including a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in your sense of smell or taste.

A range of other options are available for other groups of people without symptoms. Everyone is eligible for free – at home lateral home tests which are vital for discovering Covid positive cases in people who do not know they have the disease. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people do not show coronavirus symptoms so being tested twice weekly will help stop the spread of the virus.

  • Workplace testing: Employers can offer testing in the workplace. This includes testing sites, where you can take a supervised test, and workplace collect, where you can pick up a box of tests to use at home. If your employer offers workplace testing, this is still the best route for you to access rapid tests.
  • Pharmacy collect: Thousands of pharmacies across England have signed up to offer pharmacy collect. This means you can pick up a box of tests to use at home. Find a pharmacy near you that offer pharmacy collect.
  • Education: Secondary and college students are already being given tests to use at home twice a week, throughout term time and the holidays.  School pupils are encouraged to test themselves at home twice-weekly in order to identify Covid-19 cases quickly and break the chain of transmission.
  • LFD: You can order a box of tests online or telephone 119, and the tests will be delivered to your home.  Essential workers can collect an LFD from the Foundry in Scunthorpe town centre. For a list of essential workers please see the Government website.

COVID-19 vaccination information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine

A coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine dose helps improve the protection you have from your first two doses of the vaccine. You can get a booster dose if you had a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago. It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Find out more including who is eligible on the NHS website.

There is a vaccination centre based at The Foundry in Scunthorpe town centre. The centre will be available for walk-in vaccinations between 9am and 5pm, Fridays and Saturdays.

The Ironstone Centre, West Street, Scunthorpe is available for people to book a vaccination through the NHS website or you can book through your GP or some pharmacies.

 

COVID-19 vaccination information

All adults in England have now been offered two doses and a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines are safe and effective. Getting fully vaccinated is the best way of protecting you and others against COVID-19.

If you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, you should get vaccinated. Evidence indicates that two doses and a booster of a COVID-19 vaccine provide very effective protection against hospitalisation. It usually takes around two to three weeks for your body to develop its protective response.

However, even if you have been fully vaccinated, you could still get COVID-19 and pass it on to others. Whilst the vaccines provide a high level of protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death, a recent PHE report shows that around one in five people who have had both doses are still vulnerable to getting infected. You can also still spread COVID-19 to others. We all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to protect others and to reduce the risk of new variants developing and spreading.

Following the advice in this guidance will help you to protect your friends, family, and communities, including those who have been vaccinated.

 

Coronavirus vaccine information in other languages

Local GPs across the Humber, Coast and Vale areas have filmed an important message in multiple languages to encourage vaccine confidence and dispel vaccine myths and misinformation. The videos are available in several languages on YouTube.

Coronavirus vaccinations – walk-in centre

The Foundry Shopping Centre in Scunthorpe is the walk-in centre in North Lincolnshire where you can go to get your vaccinations. This can be your first dose, second dose or booster vaccination.  Read more about eligibility for booster vaccinations on the NHS website. The centre is open Fridays and Saturdays, 9am to 5pm.

It is estimated that one in three people do not show coronavirus symptoms so being tested twice weekly will help stop the spread of the virus.

Local Covid-19 data

To view Covid-19 data for North Lincolnshire visit the Local Covid-19 data page.

Protect yourself and others

It is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, so we need to learn to live with it and manage the risk to ourselves and others.

It is important that we all use personal judgement to manage our own risk. All of us can play our part by exercising common sense and considering the risks.

If you are visiting vulnerable people, or planning on mixing with people indoors, then consider taking a free lateral flow test to ensure you are not spreading the virus.

Support available

Support for people self isolating

The council is working with communities, voluntary groups and volunteers across the area to enable essential support for people who are self-isolating or who live alone and do not have family, friends or neighbours for assistance.

Support for people self-isolating

Financial assistance for residents

If you are struggling financially, it is sometimes hard to know where to turn. We are here to help.

Financial assistance for residents

Support and advice for businesses

Support and guidance for businesses and employers. Includes support for businesses that can demonstrate the impact of Covid is still critically affecting the viability of their business.

Support and advice for businesses

Supporting your community

There are lots of ways you can get involved to help people in your own community.

Support your community

Contact details

customerservice@northlincs.gov.uk
01724 297000