COVID 19 - Coronavirus

Torfaen Community Support

The Torfaen Community Support App is part of the council’s response to the Government’s Shielding Scheme to protect the most vulnerable residents including those instructed to stay in isolation.  Both volunteers and those that need support can apply to participate in the scheme by providing some basic information, which will be securely stored and managed.

Residents who sign up to the app for support will be able to make requests for:

• Collection of medication
• Shopping for food and other essentials
• The free food parcels being offered to the most vulnerable
• Someone to chat with to help counter isolation and loneliness

Find out more about Torfaen Community Support here.

Gwent Contact Tracing Service

To keep track of Coronavirus in Wales, on Monday 1 June, in response to the Welsh Government’s Test, Trace, Protect strategy, partners including Public Health Wales, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the five Local Authorities in Gwent began working together to develop the Gwent Contact Tracing Service.

The new service enables partners to track and trace any new Coronavirus cases that emerge. Being able to pinpoint those who have come into contact with someone showing symptoms of Coronavirus can help reduce the spread of the virus.

Find out more about the Gwent Contact Tracing Service here.

Welsh Government Shielding Scheme

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has today (16/07/2020) announced people in Wales who are shielding will no longer need to do so after 16 August.

In addition, not all children and young people who are currently advised to shield will need to continue to do so after the 16^th August. Those who are already shielding are expected to continue to do so until 16^th August.

See the latest frequently asked questions regarding Shielding.

What happens when you get a test for coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Download a copy of the easy read explanation of when to get tested and what the NHS will ask if you test positive.

Building Closures

Civic Centre, Ty Blaen and all public facing buildings are now closed to the public.

The following building closures are also in place until further notice.

Local Businesses Offering Delivery Services

In addition to the larger supermarkets, a number of Torfaen grocery and food businesses are open and are offering a delivery service to vulnerable residents or those self-isolating during the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. Find details of the Local Businesses Offering Delivery Services here.

Grants

A number of grants are available to help with the impact of COVID-19.  You can view a list of grants to help with the impact of COVID-19 here.

Coronavirus Symptom Tracker App

Help us fight coronavirus by reporting your health daily, even if you feel well, on the Welsh Government Coronavirus symptom tracker app. The app is available to download from the Apple Store, Google Play Store and from the links at covid.joinzoe.com

Posters

We’ve created posters which can be downloaded and coloured in to thank key workers, partners and volunteers. We will also add posters to celebrate key events throughout the year. Display your work of art proudly in your window(s) and share them with us on social media. You can find the Posters here.

Multi-agency arrangements

Torfaen Council is now working as part of the Gwent Local Resilience Forum (GLRF) as part of a wider Government, Welsh Government and NHS strategy in response to COVID-19. Find out more about the Multi-agency arrangements here.

Your support is vital

The Welsh Government has asked us all to Keep Wales Safe:

• always observe social distancing
• wash your hands regularly
• if you are meet another household, outside your extended household, stay outdoors
• work from home if you can
• stay at home and get tested if you or anyone in your extended household has symptoms
• at risk groups should be largely shielded from social contact until August 16 as they are most likely to become severely unwell and hospitalised