Updated Coronavirus Advice

The City Council has issued updated advice:

The number of coronavirus cases in Oxfordshire is continuing to rise.

In the 7 days up to 21 August, there have been 86 confirmed cases in Oxfordshire, which is an increase from 65 cases in the previous week.

The majority of the new cases are in Oxford, where the number has risen from 28 to 41. The increase is predominantly among young people in the 18-29 age bracket. The increase can be partly attributed to people returning from holidays in Europe, where cases of the virus are rising, and partly to lower levels of adherence to social distancing.

The weekly rate for Oxford currently stands at 26.9 cases per 100,000 population, which means the city is moving ever closer to figures in parts of the country that have been labelled by central Government as areas of concern or that require intervention. Oxfordshire’s Public Health Surveillance Unit is monitoring the situation very closely. If cases continue to rise, then local control measures may be introduced.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “My appeal to everyone in Oxford is to remember what got us out of lockdown. Do we really want to end up with the kind of local control measures we have seen introduced in various parts of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Leicester and Aberdeen?

“At the minute it feels like we are moving in that direction. People need to be aware their behaviour is putting themselves and others at risk. If you’re young and catch COVID-19, you’re absolutely not guaranteed to get away with the mildest symptoms. Even mild symptoms are a struggle, while longer-term symptoms can include chronic fatigue, muscle weakness and memory loss.

“Equally you may well pass this onto older or more vulnerable people. How would you feel if you knew that someone was in hospital in a ventilator with their life under threat because you’d passed COVID-19 on to them?

…

“Now is the time to act to #stopthespread. I’ve said it over and over – this whole situation is in our own hands. We all need to act responsibly and follow the very simple advice. If we do that collectively, we will reverse this upward trend that we are seeing in Oxford. If we don’t bring the infection rate under control then measures will be introduced of the kind we’ve seen elsewhere in the country. It’s that simple.”

Headington Planning Applications for week commencing 25th August

No. 7 Rock Edge: removing a garage, extending the house to the side and rear: https://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QE0JLOMFK2Q00

No. 51 Staunton Road: removing a garage and conservatory, extending the house to front and rear and adding a parking space: https://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QFLY6PMFKGX00

Tree Felling on Headley Way

It has come to our attention several trees alongside the new Headley Way cycleway are being felled by subcontractors for the City Council.

We are investigating the exact circumstances, but to our knowledge neither City nor County Councillors were informed in advance of this work. Oxford Direct Services have explained their work on Twitter, citing damage to the trees’ roots; however, we are pressing them to publish their assessment and to explain why work was commenced without prior consultation.

City and County Councillor Roz Smith previously campaigned successfully to retain these trees from felling in the course of the County’s ongoing Access to Headington transport upgrades, and will be seeking assurances that any future work of this kind goes before councillors in advance.

Coronavirus Advice

We are collecting here a list of the most useful resources for Headington residents dealing with the consequences of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Oxfordshire County Council have launched a support service for vulnerable people. If you or someone you know has been identified as extremely vulnerable by the NHS and have no support network, please contact the dedicated team on 01865 89 78 20 or email shield@oxfordshire.gov.uk. If you live in Oxford City, you can also phone 01865 24 98 11 between 8am and 5pm or visit www.oxford.gov.uk/CommunityAssistance

Residents having problems of any kind should not hesitate to get in touch with their councillors using the phone and email details on the right-hand side of the screen.

Local official guidance
www.oxford.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/services-affected-covid-19

Summary of government guidance
111.nhs.uk/covid-19
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS guidance translated into 34 languages: www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information​

Resources for employees, workers and businesses
Advice for employees, including people furloughed or laid off
Support for self-employed people
Advice for businesses, including job retention

Charities focusing on vulnerable people
www.mind.org.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk
www.carersuk.org
womensaid.org.uk
mensadviceline.org.uk

Advice for people with particular medical conditions
www.asthma.org.uk
www.diabetes.org.uk
www.versusarthritis.org
Cancer Research UK
The British Heart Foundation
The British Lung Foundation

Schools
If you need help supporting your children’s learning during school shut-downs, check with their school to find out what help might be available.
BBC Bytesize might be a useful home learning resource

Local information
Headington News: information on shopping, businesses, travel and much much more. Please email the editor with any temporary changes due to the current situation.
Daily Info​: frequently updated, including which businesses are open or offering deliveries.

Volunteering
NHS Volunteer Responders are needed to transportation and community support. 
Oxfordshire All In ​are mapping​ all Coronavirus neighbourhood support groups across the county.
Oxford Hub​ is coordinating a ​ Oxford-wide​ community response to the coronavirus and looking for volunteers.
Oxford Covid-19 Mutual Aid​ (facebook / twitter) helps connect people in and around Oxford online​.
Researchers from Kings College London among others want people to help track their symptoms.

Headington has many​ Residents’ and Community Associations, places of worship and other local groups whose members are all working together to support each other and the community as best they can. For a full list see ​Headington News under Local Information above.

Headington Ward Meeting

Ward meetings are run on a drop in and out basis and are free of charge. There is an open session where residents can raise issues of concern. There’s no need to book.

If you would like to contact your Lib Dem city councillors for advice on any issue please contact:

Altaf on 07931 345554 (phone preferred), cllrmaltaf-khan@oxford.gov.uk Stef on 0744 3331700 or email at cllrsgarden@oxford.gov.uk For county matters please ring Roz Smith on 07584 257156 (phone preferred) or email her at roz.smith@oxfordshire.gov.uk (phone preferred)