Brakes more likely to be applied to Oxford’s lockdown emergence as COVID cases rise yet againMeasures that would slam the brakes on Oxford's gradual emergence from lockdown have moved a step closer as a result of another week of uncomfortably high rises in COVID cases in the city.
The number of cases in Oxford in the week ending August 21 was 41 - which is 26.9 cases per 100,000 and sees the city 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.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council's Director for Public Health, said: "With a Bank Holiday coming up, the need for people to abide by all of the things that we know stop the spread of this virus is greater than ever.

"We can see the number of people contracting COVID is increasing per 100,000 of the population on a day-by-day basis and it is very unsettling. Undoubtedly the 18-29 year age group is driving this rise in cases.

"We were able to leave lockdown and stay out of it because we were suppressing the virus locally by our own actions. We were keeping our distance from each other, sanitising and wearing masks. It feels to me like some people now believe the virus is gone for good. I can assure you that it hasn't.

"My appeal to everyone in Oxford – and 18 to 29 year olds in particular – 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 aged 18 to 29 and catch COVID-19, you are 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 on to 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."

More information
Mobile testing unit is being deployed in Oxford from tomorrow (Friday, August 28) until Sunday (August 30), 10am-4.30pm. The MTU will be sited on the car park in Union Street, just off Cowley Road, in Oxford (behind Tesco).

People are able to drive or walk there, but are strongly encouraged to book first by calling 119 or registering online.

URL : http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/brakes-more-likely-to-be-applied-to-oxfords-lockdown-emergence-as-covid-cases-rise-yet-again/

Cllr James Mills has revealed he is standing down from his role as Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council.


He is also relocating away from West Oxfordshire to Bristol with wife Emma who will be training for ordination at the city’s Trinity College.
Cllr Mills was first elected as a District councillor in 2002 to represent Standlake, Aston and Stanton Harcourt before winning the Witney East seat for the Conservatives in 2006 which he held until 2018 when he won the Bampton and Clanfield seat. In 2016 he became Leader of the Council.
He also served as an Oxfordshire County Councillor for Witney West and Bampton from 2015-17, was on Witney Town Council from 2007-11 and was Mayor of Witney from 2009-11.
Cllr Mills said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Council and would like to thank all my fellow councillors and residents for their support through a variety of challenges, not least of which has been the ongoing Coronavirus.”
Among the highlights of his Leadership, Cllr Mills is particularly proud of the adoption of the Local Plan for the District in 2018 after a nine-year wait.
He has also campaigned successfully to ensure council tax remains the second lowest of all the districts in England and ensured that parking is free in West Oxfordshire.
Outside the Council, Cllr Mills is Vice Chairman of the Oxfordshire Growth Board, Chairman of its Oxfordshire 2050 sub-group, a non-executive director of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and a board member of the District Councils Network and South East England Councils.
Cllr Mills will formally step down at the next full Council meeting on 28 October but will retain his seat at Bampton and Clanfield until the election in May next year.
He said: “In the meantime I will be working to help my successor take over the reins as well as looking for a job in Bristol!
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council and it represents a fantastic opportunity for the person who takes over. I wish them well.”

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Dear Resident
As the Shielding programme is paused and people start to return to work, we know that many of you will be feeling anxious about the changes taking place. We want to reassure you that West Oxfordshire District Council, along with a wide range of charities and community services are here to help.

If you or someone you know is worried and needs help please call the Council on 01993 861077 or send an email to community.support@westoxon.gov.uk To keep up to date see our website, www.westoxon.gov.uk and follow us on social media.
Coronavirus - be aware of new scams

It's important you're aware of the many new scams around at the moment because of coronavirus. Scams to look out for include:
· advertising face masks, testing kits or medical equipment at high prices

· emails or texts pretending to be from the government
· emails offering life insurance against coronavirus
· people knocking at your door and asking for money for goods or for charity
If you see emails or texts about coronavirus from someone you don't know, or from an unusual email address, don't click on any links or buy anything.
Don't give money or personal details to anyone you don't know or trust - for example someone who knocks on the door and offers to help.

Contact the police immediately by calling 101 if the scammer is in your area or you've transferred money to the scammer in the last 24 hours

If you feel threatened or unsafe, call 999.

You can call Citizens Advice to speak to a Scams Action adviser on 0808 250 5050 or for lots of helpful information look at their website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/check-if-something-might-be-a-scam/
Stay safe and well.