COVID 19 Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP) Frequently asked questions

www.cornwall.gov.uk/coronaviruswww.scilly.gov.uk

Updated 30/06/2020

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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of our residents and our communities has been our first priority and we have worked very closely with all our partners and communities across Cornwall to respond

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What is the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Outbreak Management Plan? Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of our residents and our communities has been our first priority and we have worked very closely with all our partners and communities across Cornwall to respond.

The Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP) provides a blueprint for managing COVID-19 outbreaks to protect residents and support the most vulnerable. It sets out measures to prevent any further local outbreaks of COVID-19 as well as action to respond rapidly to any future outbreaks, limiting further transmission.

The plan has been developed to support the national NHS Test and Trace programme. It ensures the local authority has the necessary capacity and capability to provide a fully co-ordinated approach to contain and manage local outbreaks of COVID-19 and will be updated as new national guidance is produced or legislation changes.

While the plan deals with all local COVID-19 outbreaks, it also identifies and prioritises preventative and early intervention measures for key settings such as care homes and schools and high-risk locations and communities to make sure they are supported.

What area does the local outbreak management plan cover? The plan covers response to any future outbreaks in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Do other areas have local outbreak management plans? Yes, the government has instructed all upper tier local authorities (County Councils and Unitary authorities) to produce a Local Outbreak Management Plan by the end of June 2020. Local authorities have a significant role to play in the identification and management of COVID-19 outbreaks and Local Outbreak Management Plans ensure that any local outbreak is responded to swiftly, protecting communities and helping prevent the spread of the virus.

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Why do councils need separate plans? Each council knows its own area and communities best, and is experienced in dealing with outbreaks of infectious diseases – not just coronavirus. During foot and mouth, a similar set up was arranged.

All of the local authorities will follow a similar plan, with three boards or groups, designed to manage the process smoothly. There is:

• • A COVID-19 Health Protection Board

• • A Local Outbreak Engagement Board – or public liaison board

• • A Local Resilience Forum

More detail about the boards is over the next few pages.

What is the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Protection Board? The Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health Protection Board is responsible for the Local Outbreak Management Plan and coordinating the resources and numerous agencies needed to provide a swift response to managing an outbreak of the virus.

This Board will be chaired by the Director of Public Health Cornwall Council, Rachel Wigglesworth. This Board is an Executive-level Partnership Board and will have the following key responsibilities 1 Local Outbreak Management Plan and resource

deployment 2 Data and intelligence -

Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) 3 Leading the local Public Health response with

Public Health England (PHE) and NHS Test and Trace

4 Assurance and reporting to Local Engagement Outbreak Board and the Local Resilience Forum.

Core membership to include (taken from the proposed ToR); Cornwall Council Public Health, Council for the Isles of Scilly, Public Health England, NHS Kernow CCG, RCHT/CFT, Cornwall Council Adult Social Care, Public Protection, Emergency Planning, Peninsula Pathology Network, Military Liaison.

Plus, in advisory capacity: Public Health Intelligence; Communications Lead; Equality and Diversity Officer

Additional membership as required: NHS England, Fire and Rescue Services, Together for Families/Children and young people services, Housing, Economic growth/business, Further/Higher education, Tourism, Transport, Voluntary and Community Sector, Kernow Health CIC,

Each council knows its own area and communities best, and is experienced in dealing with outbreaks of infectious diseases – not just coronavirus. During foot and mouth, a similar set up was arranged.

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What is the Local Resilience Forum (LRF)? The Local Resilience Forum (LRF) - Devon and Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly - is convened when there is a civil emergency – it is a partnership of emergency services, local authorities, health services, key utility and other agencies that can work in tandem to manage the incident. In this case, the LRF has been working on emergency planning since early 2020 to deal with the pandemic, including public information, policing and supporting communities during lockdown. This has worked well, so it will continue as part of the local outbreak plan.

What are the Cornwall Council COVID 19 Engagement Board and the Isles of Scilly Engagement Board? These local outbreak engagement boards will monitor how the plan is delivered within the community and will also directly liaise with Government ministers. These boards are also responsible for communicating and engaging with residents and communities. Cornwall Council Leader and Isles of Scilly Council Chairman will chair each board repectively.

These Boards will have the following key responsibilities: • • Political oversight of the local delivery of the plan

and response

• • Communicating and engaging with residents and communities

Members to include: Both boards will comprise of senior leaders from across the two authorities health and care settings alongside representatives form local communities and the public.

Above linking to all the South West Regional ArrangementsIncludes SW LA CEOs and SW DsPH, SW Health Protection Leads, ResCG etc.

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How do the boards work together? The following governance arrangements illustrate how the boards will work in partnership.

Cornwall and IOS COVID-19 Health Protection Board

Devon and Cornwall LRF

Strategic Coordinating

Group

IOS Local Outbreak

Engagement Board

Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Protection

Sub-Committee

Cornwall Health and Wellbeing

Board

Council of the Isles of Scilly Full

Council

Cornwall Local Outbreak

Engagement Board

Chair: Director of Public Health, CIOSVice Chair: Asst DPHExecutive level Partnership BoardResponsibilities:1 Local Outbreak Management Plan and

resource deployment2 Data and intelligence (with JBC)3 Leading local public health response with

PHE (and NHS Test and Trace)4 Assurance and reporting to LOEB/LRFNote:Membership outlined in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Outbreak Management Plan, Section 3.2 and Appendix

Chair: Chairman, Council of the Isles of ScillyResponsibilities:1 Political oversight of

the delivery of plan and response

2 Communicating and engaging with residents and communities

Note:Membership outlined in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Outbreak Management Plan, Section 3.3 and Appendix

Chair: Leader/Deputy, CCResponsibilities:1 Political oversight of the

delivery of plan and response2 Communicating and

engaging with residents and communities

Note:Membership outlined in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Outbreak Management Plan, Section 3.3 and Appendix

Chair: ACC Devon and Cornwall PoliceMulti agency response in the event of a major incident

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The following diagram illustrates the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly governance structure specific to local outbreak management;

Cornwall and IOS Council COVID-19

Engagement Board

Cornwall and IOS COVID-19 Health Protection Board

Joint bio-security centre

Public Health England

NHS Test and Trace Programme

National Outbreak Control Plans Advisory Board

Devon, Cornwall and IOS LRF

Chair: Lead of CouncilRole: Public facing, assurance and governanceMembership: Senior leaders and Members

Chair: DPHRole: Oversight of LOMP development and implementation, horizon scan, monitor epidemiology, actions and recommendationsMembership: PH, ASC, EHOs, Education, CCG, NHS, Comms, LA

Role: Coordinating and deployment large scale actions and capabilities

Supported by

Reporting

Oversight and assurance Response to major incidents

COVID-19 Incident Management Group (C-19 IMG)

COVID-19 Incident Response Teams (C-19 IRT’s)

COVID-19 Incident Assessment Group (C-19 IAG)

Chair: DPH / Deputy DPHRole: LOMP development and operationalisationMembership: PH, ASC, EHOs, Port Health, CCG, NHS, Comms, LA

Role: LOMP implementationCare homes, schools and EY settings, vulnerable groups, hospitals, business and work places, Isles of Scilly, tourist hotspots, public transport and ports, university and colleges, homeless

Role: Overview of surveillance, initial triage of incidents and oversight of LOMP implementationMembership: DPH / Deputy DPH, Assessment Group Manager, PH Analyst, Senior EHO, Comms

n.b. There will be two separate engagement boards, Cornwall Council COVID 19 Engagement Board and Isles of Scilly COVID 19 Engagement Board

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Is anyone else involved?Partnership working is crucial to help prevent the spread of the virus. Containing local outbreaks successfully will need to be a co-ordinated effort with specialists from Public Health England, the NHS, social care, district councils, education, Police, private sector, employers and the community and voluntary sectors, depending on the case.

Who has overall responsibility for the Local Outbreak Management Plan?The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly COVID-19 Health Protection Board is responsible for the Local Outbreak Management Plan. It will make decisions on how outbreaks are managed, informed by local information, clinical data and scientific modelling.

How is an outbreak defined?An outbreak is generally defined as two or more cases connected in time to a specific place (not a household) for example, in a care home, school or factory. However, an outbreak can also be considered to be one case in a particularly vulnerable setting or group of the population.

What are the preventive measures to help reduce the spread of coronavirus?We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of coronavirus. Adherence to the national Government guidelines including regular hand washing, good respiratory hygiene and social distancing will all help to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Government guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

In addition we are working with specific sectors that are known to be at higher risk of an outbreak. Outbreak infection and control packs have been developed for individual settings such as work places, schools and care homes. These packs set out how and who should be contacted if there is suspected COVID-19 outbreak within the setting and they also set out clear guidance on preventative measures bespoke to particular setting.

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How does the LOMP help contain outbreaks of coronavirus?Real-time data and intelligence is the key to a rapid and effective response. Regular testing data pinpoints any potential outbreaks and the continuous data with local intelligence (from doctors, testing, hospitals etc) helps local authorities to monitor cases within their areas. As part of the Local Outbreak Management Plan an integrated data and surveillance system will be established. Our experience of other infectious diseases, and the recent outbreak has also helped us build a picture of what is happening in real time. When this evidence is used with our data, it will ensure we can develop effective responses to avoid potential outbreaks.

In the event an outbreak is detected, we will take early intervention measures to stop the spread before it escalates further into the community. The plan sets out a ‘toolkit’ of infection control measures from advising on hygiene practices, to isolation of people and premises, right through to localised lockdown (in conjunction with Public Health England) depending on the severity of the outbreak.

In addition, national ‘Action Cards’ have been developed by Public Health England for individual settings such as work places. These cards set out how and who should be contacted if there is suspected Covid-19 outbreak within the setting. They also set out clear guidance on preventative measures bespoke to particular settings. The local outbreak prevention and control packs detail the local responses and links with the national support from PHE.

What happens if there is an outbreak in the community?The precise action taken will depend upon how complex the outbreak is. Our first priority is to protect our residents . As soon as an outbreak is detected, an Outbreak Assessment Group comes together to identify, and agree on early intervention measures to be taken to stop the spread before it escalates further into the community. The plan will be implemented by incident response teams that will work with specific settings and locations and sets out a toolkit of infection control measures including advising on hygiene practices, implementing public health measures, providing focused testing right through to localised lockdown (in conjunction with Public Health England). The action that is taken will depend on the severity of the outbreak and the most appropriate measures.

What happens if I am ill or someone staying with me is ill?If you suspect that you or someone in your household has COVID-19 symptoms, you must stay at home and self-isolate. The symptomatic person should be tested. People can access a test by going to the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test) or by calling 119. If the results are positive, then the person should self-isolate. If this is someone staying with you, this may be at your home, or it may need to be back at their own home, close to their own medical support. More information is available here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms

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What happens if I am ill while visiting the area?If you feel unwell please contact 111 or call your usual GP for advice. If you have any symptoms of coronavirus you must follow Government guidance and stay at home, get tested and follow further advice. People can access a test by going to the NHS website (https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test) or by calling 119. People will either be able to book an appointment at a drive-through or walk through test site or ask for a home test kit. More information is available here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms

Where are the testing facilities?Drive through testing facilities are available across Cornwall, and mobile test sites are at a range of locations. If needs be, you can request a home testing kit. If you call 119, you will be given details of the nearest test facility and a test can be booked for you.

I am visiting the area and my test came back positive, what do I do?If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you must follow the government’s guidance and stay at home. If you are on holiday in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly when you get your positive test results you should ideally travel straight home to your usual place of residence, without using public transport. Being at home is the best place to get support with your health and care needs. For details on current guidance please visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

What if I am more vulnerable to this virus? How will vulnerable groups be protected and what additional support will be given to these groups?We are working with specific at high risk and vulnerable groups across Cornwall to make sure they have the support and information required to stay safe. These include Black and Minority Ethnic communities, refugees and asylum seekers, people with learning disabilities and autism and older people and people with underlying health conditions. The COVID-19 Health Protection Board will ensure that the health needs of these communities are addressed.

We will continue to provide resources required to support vulnerable people who are self-isolating and will make sure that those resources are also available to those instructed to self-isolate either due to symptoms or contact tracing. We are already working with the voluntary sector and if there is a surge of requirements, further capacity to effectively respond to outbreaks will be requested through the Local Resilience Forum.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you must follow the government’s guidance and stay at home

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How are higher risk settings protected?We are working with specific sectors (care, health, education etc) as part of the Local Outbreak Management Plan to make sure that those at higher risk of an outbreak have the resources to implement preventive measures in the first place and also know what to do if there is a suspected outbreak. As part of the national public health programme, ‘Action Cards’ have been developed for individual settings such as work places. These cards set out how and who should be contacted if there is suspected Covid-19 outbreak within the setting. Appropriate guidance and advice on preventative measures bespoke to the setting is being made available throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

How does this work link with NHS Test and Trace?When someone tests positive for Coronavirus then the NHS Test and Trace Service is notified. There are three tiers of contact tracing:Tier 3: National contact tracers who will make initial contact and provide advice to those testing positive and those they have been in contact with.Tier 2: More complex than tier 3, such as an outbreak in a community setting that requires an additional risk assessments and support by trained health care professionals.Tier 1: A complex outbreak that occurs within a setting such as a school or care home. Local Health Protection Teams will work with local partners to contain and undertake contact tracing.

Local authorities will be involved in Tier 1 events, as the knowledge and resource of local partners will be key to responding quickly in order to minimise spread.

What is the Incident Assessment Group?In the event of a suspected or confirmed outbreak, the local authority will set up the Incident Assessment Group to assess the incident and agree any initial infection control measures required to control the outbreak.

The Incident Assessment Group will then refer the incident to the appropriate Outbreak Control Team that will be made of representatives who have the knowledge and skills specific to the affected setting to deal with the incident or the outbreak and implement the necessary actions.

What is an Outbreak Control Team?In the event of a complex outbreak an Outbreak Control Team may be set up in addition to an Incident Reponse Team. It is usually the Local Health Protection Team (Public Health England) who will declare the need to set up an Outbreak Control Team.

The team is usually chaired by a consultant in public health from Public Health England. While membership will vary (depending on the setting), it will usually consist of a public health consultant from the Local Authority Public Health team, a public health specialist from the local authority, a communications lead and a representative from the outbreak setting.

If this is within a care home, for example, it is likely to be the care home manager, or in a school, the school principal. It is the role of the Outbreak Control Team to agree the appropriate intervention measures to put in place and how this is communicated to key people within the setting and/or their carers.

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What happens if I live in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly but work outside the area covered by the LOMP?If you are required to take specific actions in the event of a local outbreak, these will be given to you at the time by contact tracers or team in charge of managing the outbreak. It is important you follow their advice to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

As this is a plan of ways of working – when will you be setting out specific actions?The LOMP sets out a rapid response cascade for all potential local outbreaks. Specific actions will be unique to each case and therefore the plan focuses on providing consistency of response while offering flexibility in the exact actions implemented. The plan does provide a toolkit of infection control measures including advising on hygiene practices, implementing public health measures, providing focused testing right through to localised lockdown (in conjunction with Public Health England) depending on the severity of the outbreak and the most appropriate action.

How do you tell the public?Providing up-to-date guidance, information and advice to our communities will be key to the delivery of the plan. We will work within the community to gather evidence that will inform decision-making. Our Cornwall Council website will be updated as new guidance comes on line and we will be looking at a variety of ways to keep the public informed.

How are you going to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan?The aim is to keep outbreaks under control and prevent spread. Regular surveillance of local data will provide the insight needed to assess the effectiveness of the plan. The plan itself is also not set in stone and will evolve as new research and policy is produced, ensuring that it continues to protect and support our communities.

Do I still need to follow government guidance?Yes, absolutely. Government guidance and social distancing will still need to be followed. We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. For details on current guidance please visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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When does the plan go live?The plan was launched 30 June 2020.

How can I stay up-to-date?Cornwall Council and the Isles of Scilly will provide regular updates on our websites www.cornwall.gov.uk www.scilly.gov.uk

June 2020 jn50062

If you would like this information in another format or language please contact us: Cornwall Council, County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro TR1 3AYEmail: equality@cornwall.gov.uk www.cornwall.gov.ukTelephone: 0300 1234 100