Coronavirus – Oxfordshire Community Situation Report
Date: 18th March 2020
We are concerned residents who have set up the ‘Oxford Virus Action Group’ on facebook to help people in East Oxford cope with the impact of the pandemic.
Our aims as a group are:
a) to pull together and share verified information
b) to learn from you about any gaps - particularly gaps that are affecting more vulnerable groups – that need addressing
c) to see how between us we can address those gaps
We aim to update this daily by 5.00 pm. If you have anything you want to contribute please message us via the Facebook page or send a text message to the Virus Action Group on 07384939145.
Key figures and information
People sick in Oxfordshire: 25 (18/03/2020)
People self-isolating due to symptoms: unknown
People quarantining due to being in vulnerable group: unknown
Schools: partially closed, see ‘Schools’ below
Nurseries: all open
Sources of information
Oxford Mail – Local news on Coronavirus at https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/oxford/
BBC Oxford – Local and national news including on Coronavirus at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-51851438
NHS Oxford – the latest health advice can be found on their website https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19/
Supermarkets
Sainsbury’s:
until further notice: customers can only buy three of each grocery item at a time;
until further notice: customers can only buy two of the most popular stockpiled items (for example, toilet paper, soap and long-life milk) at a time;
tomorrow: all Sainsbury stores are open to elderly and vulnerable customers only for the first hour of trading; shops will be open for an hour longer than usual;
from tomorrow, Sainsbury’s cafes, meat, fish and pizza counters are closed
from Monday, online shoppers who are over 70 years of age or have a disability will have priority access to online delivery slots.
from Monday, online shoppers can use an expanded 'click and collect' service
Jericho: East West Provisions are offering a home delivery service on weekdays, subject to a minimum order of £10. Orders can be placed by email info@eastwestprovisions.co.uk (this is preferred) or by phone 01865 311288.
Academic staff needed
The John Radcliffe hospital is looking for academic staff with molecular biology and ideally PCR/qPCR experience to help deliver increasing numbers of Covid-19 screening tests. This is paid work. Please email susanne.hodgson@spc.ox.ac.uk if you can help.
Street level support groups active
Please share any information you have!
Boaters
Dogwalking
o Waggies Dogwalking Service (Oxford-based)
Local online support groups
o Neighbourhood-based WhatsApp volunteer action groups
o Ask for help (deliveries, emotional support, etc) for yourself or others
o Share community resources to a large group
o To ask for and offer support you can use their google doc: Link
o Daily coordinating call on Zoom at 3pm
o Publishes daily situation report by 5pm with local information and resources
o Interested in any gapso - particularly gaps that are affecting more vulnerable groups – that need addressing
o Can be contacted via Facebook message or by text to 07384939145
· Oxford Hub:
Neighbourhood-based volunteer groups
Anyone who is healthy and low risk can sign up
· Nextdoor:
Online website that connects people living in the same neighborhood
Some help offered to self-isolating or vulnerable people;
Some local information exchanged
Health
Latest health advice can be found at the NHS Oxfordshire website:
NHS Oxford – the latest health advice can be found on their website https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19/
Protocols for food deliveries for neighbours and virus safety are available here: https://wiki.queercare.network/index.php… Let us know if you are using them and how you find them.
Syrian Sisters Coronavirus health briefing in Arabic, 8pm on Friday. https://www.facebook.com/events/142565997082311/
Mental health support
Oxfordshire Mind have a page of advice for those who are self-isolating https://www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/coronavirus-and-your-we…/
Help Hub West Oxford, a group of qualified therapists are offering free 20 minute chats on Skype, FaceTime or on the telephone. They hope to have our website working by the week commencing 23/3/20, which will be posted in the Situation Report. https://www.facebook.com/The-Help-Hub-West-Oxford-101295094839536/
St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Littlemore (Church of England) are offering pastoral care by email or phone, at vicar@littlemorechurch.org and 01865 748003.
For more tips and resources for Covid-19 anxiety and isolation see Link
Education
Does anyone have advice for parents worried about support for vulnerable children if schools close?
Union (NASWT) advice for schools available here: https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/…/5d972862-d4f6-44f4-8f34a9044a0a…
Oxford Medical Students Helping Hands: an Oxford network to help coordinate childcare relief by medical students for clinicians during Covid-19
A local group has being set up to help families who rely on free school meals if schools close: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoI393PuMqnb5s-4DvU2uVykiwBODExr4p7hy5MqbHncIZMg/viewform
Childcare support for NHS Workers and other essential employees:
Schools
Cheney School in Headington: Partially closed. Year 10 and Year 12 are not to attend until further notice, except for very specific lessons and mock exams
Oxford Spires Academy: Partially closed. Spires will be closed for Years 9, 10 and 12 from today onwards, until further notice.
The Iffley Academy in Oxford: Completely closed until Monday
Long Wittenham CE Primary School: Completely closed until next Wednesday, 25th March.
King Alfred's Academy in Wantage: Partially closed for today only. Year 9, Year 12 and Year 13 have been asked to stay at home
Larkrise Primary School in East Oxford: Closed until further notice, except for children entitled to free school meals and pupils whose parents have to work (see more details below)
Matthew Arnold School in Botley: Partially closed. School is open to pupils in Years 7, 11, 12 and 13 but closed for pupils in Years 8, 9 and 10. At the moment this is just for today
Northern House Academy in Summertown: Partially closed. Only half of pupils are to attend for the remainder of the week. The reason listed is 'exceptional circumstances' and parents who are not to send in their children have been contacted
St Birinus School in Didcot: Partially closed. For today, tomorrow and Friday, the school will be closed to Years 9 and 10
St Gregory The Great Catholic School in Oxford: Partially closed. Closed to all Pod (early years) and primary pupils until tomorrow, when only Year 2 pupils will be allowed back. At secondary school, it is closed to all Key Stage 3 pupils (Years 7, 8 and 9) until further notice.
The Cooper School in Bicester: Partially closed. Closed today to Years 9 and 12
The Warriner School in Bloxham: Partially closed. Year 9 have been told not to attend from today, until further notice
Faringdon Community College: Partially closed. 16 per cent of staff are either self-isolating or are on long-term sick leave. Today, the school will be closed for Year 9 pupils, and all other pupils will attend. It will be closed to Year 10 pupils on Thursday, and Year 9 students on Friday.
Aureus School in Didcot: Partially closed. Only open to Years 8 and 9 today
Fringford Church of England Primary School near Bicester: School is closed for Years 5 and 6 until further notice. A notice on the website adds that Kingfisher Class is closed for the rest of term
Source, 18 March, 2.10 pm: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18313820.coronavirus-forces-schools-close-oxfordshire/
Homelessness / Vulnerable Housing
Oxford Homelessness Campaign have a national call this evening at 7pm: https://twitter.com/labhomeless_cam/status/1240241015094640640?s=21
Government has announced £3.2 million emergency support for rough sleepers during coronavirus outbreak https://www.gov.uk/…/3-2-million-emergency-support-for-roug…
For more info follow Cllr Linda Smith, Deputy Leader, Oxford City Council and cabinet lead on Homelessness @LabLinda75
Oxford Tenants Union have published an open letter to Oxford City Council asking for urgent action to be taken to protect Oxford renters. They are also collecting testimonies from Oxford residents concerned about the impact of Coronavirus on their ability to pay rent. https://oxfordtenantsunion.wordpress.com
Prisons and Immigration Detainees
Unknown. Please send us any information you have.
Elderly / Other Vulnerable Groups under self-isolation
Many people are self-isolating. Groups are springing up to support people who may need items to their door.
Oxfordshire Age UK have set up a new telephone support service for older people in Oxfordshire: 01865 411 288. If you leave your name and phone number, they will call you back.
Safeguarding questions have been raised
Oxford Neighbourhood Watch have informed volunteers to be on the lookout for opportunistic crime.
Hospitals
Hospitals and GP practices across the UK increasingly face shortages of personal protective equipment, placing health workers at greater risk of contracting Covid-19: Link
Public transport
Oxford Bus Company will reduce services from this Monday, March 23. An updated schedule is expected by the end of this week.
Minority groups / Non-English language speakers
Oxford mosques remain open at present but over 60s are being told not to attend congregational prayers. Mosques are seeking to support elders in particular.
Syrian Sisters Coronavirus health briefing in Arabic is happening at 8pm on Friday. https://www.facebook.com/events/142565997082311/
Do people have information about support available for other groups who might need targeted help?
Economy
Many self employed and small businesses will be facing huge challenges.
Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a focal point for information of support in this area. Information available at https://www.oxfordshirelep.com/business.
Issues concerning business rates are dealt with by the City Council – see https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20020/business_rates
Cowley BMW Mini plant will close for a month from this Friday, March 20th.
University
Overall, the university is operational. All university libraries and museums have been closed until further notice. There are at least seven cases of students who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. UK undergraduate students and UK taught postgraduates who have homes outside Oxford have been advised to leave the University as soon as possible unless they have a compelling reason to stay. Postgraduate Research students are encouraged to work from home, or from their University/College accommodation, if it is practical to do so. The university advises international students to make individual choices based on personal circumstances.
The student group ‘Oxford Living Wage Campaign’ are concerned about the health, safety, and economic situation of Oxford University and college employees, particularly low-wage workers. Get in touch with them at oxfordworkerjustice@gmail.com
Unions
Information about planned postal workers strike that the union has called off because of the COVID-19 emergency. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/coronavirus-posties-offer-halt-strike-21708436
Upcoming events
Oxford Homelessness Campaign have a national call this evening at 7pm: https://twitter.com/labhomeless_cam/status/1240241015094640640?s=21
Daily coordinating calls for the Oxford Virus Action Group happen at 3 pm. Links will be posted on our facebook page.
Syrian Sisters Coronavirus health briefing in Arabic is happening at 8pm on Friday. https://www.facebook.com/events/142565997082311/
Contributions and comments
Please send any contributions or comments via the Virus Action Group Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/492422634759292/ or a text message to the Virus Action Group on 07384939145
