2(a)
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council’s current arrangements and response to the ongoing international Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic.
The report provided an update on the numbers of cases and deaths at both Scottish and UK levels and noted the publication of figures and analysis from the National Records of Scotland which showed that as at 19 April 2020, there had been a total of 1,616 deaths registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death
certificate. (The figure for hospital deaths reported at that time was 903). The death registration statistics also revealed that of the total number of deaths registered between 13 to 19 April there were 651 where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, 34% of the total; that this was an increase of 41 from the previous week 6 April to 12 April; that 33% of COVID-19 deaths registered to date related to deaths in care homes; that 56% of deaths were in hospitals and 10% of deaths were at home or in non-institutional settings; and that 74% of all deaths involving COVID-19 to date were of people aged 75 or over.
Nationally, it was noted that when the report had been prepared there were 138,078 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in hospitals in the UK, up from 103,093 reported on 17 April 2020. There had been 18,738 deaths in hospitals across the UK (up from 13,729 in the last report). In Scotland there were now 9,409 confirmed hospital cases (up from 7,102) and 1,120 deaths (up from 779). Of these, 2,250 cases were within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area (up from 1,742). In GGCHB area there were 564 people in hospital (down from 606) and 49 in intensive care (down from 70) as either confirmed or suspected cases.
The report highlighted a strategy paper released by the Scottish Government which set out a proposed approach to be followed to ease restrictions following the current period of lockdown. The Council had already started considering the longer-term impact of the virus pandemic on services and service provision across the Council and on how the Council could continue to support communities and protect vulnerable residents as the lockdown period was eased in some aspects. The information that was presented on 23 April 2020 and the associated strategy paper would be factored into this exercise and further information on proposals for recovery would be brought back to future meetings of the Emergencies Board.
The Director of Finance & Resources was invited to provide a commentary on the financial update that had been set out in the report. He advised that the COVID-19 pandemic had now become an economic crisis as well as a health crisis. He outlined the State of the Economy update provided by the Chief Economist to the Scottish Government which had set out an expected 33% reduction in economic output as well as the significant costs associated with governmental economic intervention and the impact of this on local finances. Economic recovery remained uncertain for a number of reasons which were detailed in the report and the national economy and public finances would be placed under a new level of strain, pressure and uncertainty, at both a UK and Scottish level.
The report detailed the additional financial support that had been made available to public services in Scotland including: the provision of a financial assurance by the Scottish Government in relation to additional spend being incurred by IJB’s; similar funding assurances for Local Government which had been agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA; and the provision to the Council of just under £3.5 million by the Scottish Government to support the Council’s response to the pandemic. It was anticipated that further financial assistance would be provided to Scottish local authorities through the redistribution of an estimated £155 million allocated to the Scottish Government as a Barnet formula consequential. Council officers were in the process of completing a template form which would detail the additional costs incurred by the Council arising from the pandemic for submission to the Scottish Government. An overview of the submission from the Council will be provided to the board next week with future appropriate reporting cycles receiving updates in line with the proposed two-weekly update arrangements agreed with COSLA.
The Acting Head of Health & Social Care (Paisley) (Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership) was invited to provide an update in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on care homes in Renfrewshire. She advised that the three care homes and the four extra care units operated by the HSCP had no reported COVID-19 related symptoms or related deaths. Of the 22 care homes in Renfrewshire, 10 were self-reporting residents with COVID-19 related symptoms and COVID-19 related deaths.
The Head of Policy & Commissioning was invited to provide an update on support for shielded residents and the creation of virtual neighbourhood hubs. Along with its key partners, through the virtual hubs, the Council would work to meet emerging local needs such as providing very localised support around shopping, food provision, digital access and health and wellbeing. Volunteers to support the neighbourhood hubs would be recruited in partnership with Engage Renfrewshire, from the Renfrewshire Volunteer Reserve Bank.
The Head of Childcare & Criminal Justice and Chief Social Work Officer provided comments on the decision by the Scottish Government to release some prisoners early. Only prisoners serving a sentence of less than 18 months and in the last three months of their time in custody would be considered for early release. Prisoners convicted for sexual, domestic violence or terrorism offences and those who had a supervision order imposed as part of their sentence would not be considered for early release.
The Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership, updated members on the provision of PPE and advised that the process for allocating such equipment had been streamlined. Testing for COVID-19 for staff had been rolled out and now included residential and nursing care home staff and critical Council staff.
DECIDED:
(a) That the current national and local situation with regards to COVID-19 and the impact on communities, businesses and the Council and its partners be noted; and
(b) That the response measures being put in place by the Council and partners as set out in the report be noted.