Sheffield Council to support those self isolating

It was stated in a council report ahead of a meeting this week in which they will discuss the new programme.

Officers said support will take three forms: practical, emotional and financial, which includes help with shopping, collecting medicines, calls to support mental health, financial advice and “potentially” covering costs.

Under guidelines, people who have symptoms of, test positive for or have been in contact with someone who has covid19 need to self isolate for seven to 14 days. This includes not going outside to work, shop, pick up medicine, exercise, use public transport or inviting people to visit, except those providing essential care.

The report said: “Supporting people to isolate, particularly vulnerable people, is a key component in reducing the spread of covid19. Testing and tracing will not reduce the transmission of the virus unless people isolate when they have symptoms, have tested positive or have been identified as a contact of a confirmed case.

“We recognise that groups in our communities who are already more affected by inequalities or those who are already more affected by inequalities or those who have poorer underlying health are more likely to need support to self isolate and we will work to ensure our support is directed towards those who need it most.

“In Sheffield we have a well established covid19 programme for community support and this continues to provide support particularly to vulnerable people in Sheffield in a collaboration between Sheffield Council and the voluntary sector.

“This service focuses predominantly on the first two themes of support… We are exploring options for providing financial support to people to enable them to self-isolate.”

The council was allocated £3.1m from the Department of Health and Social Care to spend on outbreak control work.

The report will be discussed at a healthier communities and adult social care scrutiny and policy development committee on Wednesday from 4pm. The meeting will be available for the public to view via a webcast link here https://sheffield.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/497565

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