MAGGIE THROUP URGES TESTS

• As half term comes to an end, Maggie is urging students to take a Covid test as they return to the classroom
• Regular rapid testing twice a week remains the best way to find asymptomatic cases of Covid-19

 Local MP Maggie Throup is urging students to take a coronavirus test before returning to school this week following the half term break. A major testing programme has been in place for students since schools returned in March to identify asymptomatic cases and isolate them as quickly as possible, helping to keep schools open in Erewash. The success of students and staff in building regular twice-weekly testing into routines is testament to their dedication to keeping the virus out of schools and colleges. Rapid testing continues to help find the one in three people with Covid-19 who show no symptoms, allowing them to isolate rather than unknowingly spread the virus, preventing outbreaks from taking hold. Maggie said: 

“I urge all children and families in Erewash to test themselves on ahead of schools returning, and then twice weekly to keep their friends and families safe.

Rapid tests are available to everyone free of charge and by using them regularly, you can find cases of infection that wouldn’t otherwise be found and help stop the infection spreading. One in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms so can go under the radar without testing. We can all do our bit to keep our schools and communities safe as school starts again.

Secondary schools and colleges across Erewash continue to provide packs of tests to their students so they can take two tests a week. Primary schools are also providing packs to their staff. Everyone is encouraged to test twice a week, with one of the two tests at the weekend to catch cases before starting the new school week. Positive cases identified by rapid testing are confirmed with a PCR test, meaning nobody has to worry about isolating unnecessarily following a positive rapid test result.

 

BUS STOP

Major news this week is that CT4N have issued a new timetable leaflet for the 29 and 16 (renumbered from S16). No change in the 29, but the 16 now runs only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On the trains we retain our hourly service to London, gain a Newark-Crewe service, and the Matlock service now terminates at Nottingham (new times to learn there). The Nottingham- Birmingham & Cardiff route goes at the same times. Over 3 weekends, starting Saturday 5th June, Ashbourne Road in Derby will be closed for resurfacing. This will affect the Swift. The Notts & Derby X52 (Nottingham-Derby-Ashbourne-Alton Towers) does not accept card payments. It is cash only. Nottingham City Transport note that the Department for Transport has produced Safer Travel Guidance for Passengers. The £500m. Newark By-Pass plans are being debated. Euston has become the 1st station to display information in British Sign Language, via touch screens. The Great British Car Journey museum at  Ambergate, has opened. Domestic Abuse Counsellors are to patrol railway stations to spot children involved in County Lines drug dealing. The ITV 'Tonight' programme highlighted what a major nuisance E-scooters have become, where they are being trialled, which round here means Nottingham. There are calls for an incident with a concrete lump falling off a lorry, where a driver was killed, not to happen again. A 71-year old cyclist was killed in an incident on the A52 slip road at Spondon on Sunday 30th May. Midlands Connect are looking at better rail services from Leicester to Coventry. 

 

FIGHTING FUND FOR COVID-19

Erewash Borough Council is expected to confirm its receipt of £100,000 towards the ongoing public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A report going to the council’s Executive next week (9th June) says the funding has been provided by Derbyshire County Council, which has also awarded grants to the other districts in the county, to support the public health response in the event of a localised or wider outbreak of COVID-19 in the community or in workplaces. Erewash will use the funding to recruit an Environmental Health Officer on a temporary contract to support the team in its COVID-19 work, including reacting to any outbreak, helping trace contacts and making sure that local businesses are following COVID-19 regulations.. In addition, the post holder will be able to help maintain other environmental health duties, from food safety inspections and food business advice through to responding to food outlet complaints. Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:

“Erewash continues to work together with all out partner councils in Derbyshire to ensure we remain on alert to respond to COVID-19 issues. This funding is vital to enable us to recruit an additional Environmental Health Officer for nearly two years. The pandemic has been a busy time for our team, which is already investigating suspected workplace-related outbreaks of COVID-19. Since March last year, more than 350 such requests have been investigated in addition to nearly 400 other enquiries not related to the virus.”

 The meeting of Council Executive is at Ilkeston Town Hall on Wednesday 9th June at 10.30 am.

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEAN MARTIN WILES 40th Birthday

Born 5th June 81 died 8th June 81

Son of Debra and Martin Wiles

Sister to Cara Wiles

Always in our hearts and never will be forgotten

Our Angel

BROWN, Josephine. Sadly passed away on 17th May 2021 aged 96. Beloved Mum and Grandma. Funeral at Bramcote Crematorium on 15th June 2021 at 1.30pm. Donations to British Heart Foundation at www.bhf.org.uk.