Articles in Covid-19

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 27 January 2023

The Covid wave in Bucks is at the ‘bottom of the peak’. But while levels are low by comparison with earlier in the year, the Covid risk remains VERY HIGH. 1 in 74 people in Bucks are still infected, and there will be 4 infected people in a typical busy supermarket. There are still enough people around to give you Covid if you don’t take care.

Remember, you can still catch Covid even if you are fully vaccinated or have had Covid before – there is no such thing as lasting immunity from Covid. Even people who caught Covid in the last few weeks may be able to catch it again in February.

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Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 20 January 2023

The Christmas Covid wave in Bucks is thankfully falling sharply, as the virus runs out of people to infect. But the ‘bottom of the peak’ still means that the Covid risk remains VERY HIGH. 1 in 68 people in Bucks are still infected, and there will be 4 infected people in a typical busy supermarket. There are still plenty of people around who can give you Covid if you don’t take care.

Remember, you can still catch Covid even if you are fully vaccinated or have had Covid before – there is no such thing as lasting immunity from Covid. Even people who caught Covid in the last few weeks may be able to catch it again in February.

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Impact Of Industrial Action In Buckinghamshire – January 2023

As you may know, many organisations and services are going out on strike. BuDS has identified and complied below the dates of various strike action, and assessed the impact it will have on the people of Buckinghamshire. It is important to remember that organisations may be represented by multiple Unions, and not all Unions will be taking part in strikes. This can complicate the overall picture.

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Cold Weather Warning – January 2023

Buckinghamshire, like the rest of the UK, is entering another cold spell.

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the organisation responsible for looking after Public Health in England – issued a level 3 Cold Alert on Monday. This means that severe winter weather is now occurring, defined as a mean temperature of 2°C or less and/or widespread ice or heavy snow.

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Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 13 January 2023

The number of people infected with Covid in Bucks remains CRITICALLY HIGH. 1 in 26 people in Bucks are now infected, and there will be 11 infected people in a typical busy supermarket. This means that, unless you take precautions when out and about, you run a very high risk of catching Covid in the next few weeks. Remember, you can still catch Covid even if you are fully vaccinated or have had Covid before – there is no such thing as lasting immunity from Covid.

Our advice remains to wear a FFP2 or N95 filter mask in public places (especially hospitals and GP surgeries), breathe clean air, avoid crowds and busy places, work from home if you can, and protect your older and vulnerable relatives and friends. These simple precautions will help save you and your family from serious illness or long-term disability.

Remember, it’s scientifically proven that Covid has hidden serious effects for many people who catch it, even if they are not very ill immediately, including making it more likely that they will get seriously ill with common infections. This is why we are continuing to stress that people should take precautions to avoid catching Covid.

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DWP’s Own Audits Show One Third of PIP Assessments Not Fit For Purpose

A third of ATOS assessment reports are not fit for purpose, according to the DWP’s own quality assurance auditors. In a sample of 1,466 PIP assessments carried out in August 2022, DWP auditors found that:

  • 972 reports (66%) were acceptable, which means they met the DWP’s contract requirements
  • 138 (9%) of reports met the contract requirements but it was clear from the assessment report that the ATOS assessor ‘required learning’
  • 321 (22%) of reports met the contract requirements but ‘required amending’ to improve their accuracy and completeness
  • 35 (2%) were found not to even meet the DWP’s contract requirement.
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A BuDS Access & Inclusion survey taking place at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Bucks. A group of disabled people are seen leaving the "Tin Church"

Fair4All Access & Inclusion Surveys

A Fair4All Access & Inclusion Survey is a comprehensive, holistic, assessment of how accessible and inclusive a business, site or service is for all disabled people. It includes but goes beyond those aspects of accessibility normally covered in a BS or DDA/EA compliance access audit.

Fair4All Access & Inclusion surveys are a unique service offered by Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS).

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Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 6 January 2023

Bucks is facing a huge Covid wave, as infections surged over Christmas and New Year. With an astonishing 1 in 17 people now infected, and 17 infected people in a typical busy supermarket, we’ve raised the risk level to CRITICALLY HIGH. This means that, unless you take precautions when out and about, you are almost CERTAIN to catch Covid in the next few weeks. Remember, you can still catch Covid even if you are fully vaccinated or have had Covid before – there is no such thing as lasting immunity from Covid.

Our advice remains to wear a FFP2 or N95 filter mask in public places (especially hospitals and GP surgeries), breathe clean air, avoid crowds and busy places, work from home if you can, and protect your older and vulnerable relatives and friends. These simple precautions will help save you and your family from serious illness or long-term disability.

Remember, it’s scientifically proven that Covid has hidden serious effects for many people who catch it, even if they are not very ill immediately, including making it more likely that they will get seriously ill with common infections. This is why we are continuing to stress that people should take precautions to avoid catching Covid.

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