Friday 20th November 2020

Residents Bulletin

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are providing regular email updates to let you know about the latest information we have on local and national measures to contain the virus, any changes to local services and support that’s available.

If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.

Further information is available from www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus

‘Missing mum. Missing my daugher” – my Covid story

Rotherham woman, Julie Adamson has opened up about the cruel way Covid-19 has robbed her of her mother-in-law, contact with her daughter and a milestone birthday. Julie came forward after we issued an appeal for local residents to let us know how Covid-19 has changed their lives – so that they can share their experiences to, hopefully, protect others. Julie, who works for Voluntary Action Rotherham, tells her heartbreaking story in the first of a series of video testimonies by local people. Julie hopes that by sharing her story, it will help people realise about the real impact the cruel disease is having in Rotherham and how they can reduce the risk to their own family by carefully following the restrictions and public health advice. Click on the image above to see Julie’s story and please help spread her message by sharing the video with your friends and family.

Reduce the Risk in Rotherham

Infection rate stabilises but hospitals still under pressure

The number of Rotherham residents in hospital due to Covid-19 is now more than double the number at the peak of the first wave of the infection.

And tragically, in the last week, 28 deaths were registered in Rotherham related to Covid-19.

However, we do continue to see a fall in the infection rate across the borough which today stands at 374.9 cases per 100,000. The rate remains very high though, with 952 people in Rotherham testing positive for covid last week.

We can all continue to play our part to reduce the risk of the infection rate climbing again, causing further deaths and strain on our NHS by taking these simple steps:

• Keep 2 metres apart whenever possible
• Wash your hands often
• If you have symptoms, get tested immediately
• Wear a face covering in indoor public places, on public transport and anywhere where its difficult to maintain social distancing
• Don’t mix with other households unless it they are in your care bubble

Please stick to the national lockdown restrictions, which will remain in place until at least 2nd December.

If you would like to find out more information about how many cases of Covid-19 are in your local area, you can find out the daily latest numbers here: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/.

Answer the call

If you get a call or text from 01709 807319, don’t worry, it’s not a scam – it’s Rotherham’s local Test and Trace Service trying to get in touch with you.

The local team will attempt to contact you if the national service has not been able to within 24 hours.

We’re asking people to answer the call, or follow instructions in the text if they are contacted.

Further details are available by clicking on the image below.

New Covid-19 testing site opens in Maltby

A new Covid-19 testing site has opened in Maltby from today – the fourth site now operating in the Rotherham borough. Located in the Maltby Leisure Centre car park, the new walk-through test site is now taking appointments for residents from Maltby and the surrounding area. Appointments for Covid-19 tests at the Maltby test site are available by calling 119 or going to the NHS booking site – if you cannot see any slots available, try again later as new appointments are being added. Further information about the new Maltby Test site is available from the Council website. Watch our video to find out more about what to expect when going to a test centre

The site of the old Primark store on High Street is set to be replaced by a pocket park

More exciting plans for town centre regeneration

Two more exciting Rotherham Town Centre regeneration projects have been unveiled this week.

The site of the former Primark Store on High Street, which has been an eyesore for a number of years is to be demolished.

The Council has now purchased the site using funding from the Towns Fund Accelerator programme and plans would see the building replaced, in the short term, with a pocket park and a high-quality public space (see image above) .

Subject to necessary planning consents, longer term plans include developing the site for new town centre residential living.

Meanwhile, the Council has been asking people to give their views on plans to revamp Frederick Street as part of the Town Centre Masterplan and which will follow on from the works currently underway on Bridgegate.

You can have your say on the Frederick Street proposals until Sunday using the Council’s website.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business

This week (16th to 20th November) has been Safeguarding Awareness Week. The Council and its partners have been busy all week reminding local people and employees about what they can do to spot the signs of abuse, how to report concerns and that safeguarding should be at the forefront of all of our minds, all the time. Further information is available from the Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and the Safeguarding Adults Board. And Safer Rotherham Partnership has produced this video to raise awareness about Child Sexual Exploitation and how you can report it.

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Reclaim the night goes online

Women in Rotherham are being invited to take part in the annual Reclaim the Night event which, this year is being held online.

Instead of the usual town-centre walk, a line-up of women with links to Rotherham will share experiences of moving into new, exciting spaces – professionally and personally.

Reclaim the Night stands against violence towards women and girls, making our streets and public spaces safer for everyone.

Visit the website for further information about the event and to register your free place.