Latest COVID-19 news and guidance

Find all updated COVID-19 news and information from GOV.UK.

Update 8 November 2021

The Department for Health and Social Care published this year’s Winter Plan on 3 November 2021:

Adult social care: coronavirus (COVID-19) winter plan 2021 to 2022

Each section of the plan sets out an offer of national support and expectations for adult social care providers alongside published guidance.

The plan applies to all settings and contexts in which people receive adult social care (including people’s own homes, residential care homes and nursing homes, and other community settings).

How to Work Safely in care homes

Get how to work safely in care homes updated guidance.

COVID-19 booster vaccination for frontline health and social care workers

The COVID-19 vaccination national booking system is now open for frontline health and social care staff to book a booster vaccine appointment if it has been 6 months since your second dose. 

Find out who is eligible and what you need to book on our news and updates page.

Update September 2021

Mandatory vaccinations for people who work in care homes

From 11 November 2021, all care home workers, and anyone entering a care home for work or volunteering, will need to be fully vaccinated, unless they are exempt under new government regulations.

The requirement applies to care home staff as a wide range of people not based in a care home may need to enter a care home as part of their work. This includes public servants including visiting healthcare professionals or social care workers, as well as those delivering non-care services such as hairdressing, maintenance, or activities.

Find out more about the requirements on our news and updates page.

Update 16 August

Self-isolation rules change

The government requirements around self-isolation for contacts of positive cases has changed. Find out more about when to self-isolate and what to do.

If a staff member:

  • develops symptoms, they must self-isolate and take a PCR test, whatever their age or vaccination status
  • tests positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate, whatever their age or vaccination status
  • is identified as a contact by NHS Test and Trace and is under 18 or fully vaccinated they must have a negative PCR test before they can return to work, but they do not need to self-isolate
  • is identified as a contact by NHS Test and Trace, 18 or over, and not fully vaccinated, they must legally self-isolate
  • is instructed to self-isolate, they must inform their employer

Update 6 August

Brighton & Hove City Council Care Setting risk assessment of staff with contact of a Covid-19 case

Read guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care. It states that frontline NHS and social care staff can attend work rather than self-isolate with testing mitigations in exceptional circumstances

Read our guidance and download a local risk assessment for Brighton & Hove City Council staff. Providers must complete the risk assessment and send it to Publichealth@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Infection Control

Support for providers on infection control. Find the latest guidance and useful information.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Please see the PPE guidance with practical advice on how to source PPE and manage staff and residents safely when using PPE.

Visiting care homes

Find guidance on visiting arrangements in care homes.

COVID-19 testing

Find information and guidance on testing. This is for providers, staff and residents.

Working together to stay safe

If you have your first ever COVID-19 case or 2 or more cases of COVID-19 in your home / setting, please contact the Public Health England Health Protection Team

If you have one case, please send an email to publichealth@brighton-hove.gov.uk. We can provide support, follow up and ensure we are aware of what’s happening in the city.

If you have one case or more please also let your visiting GP or Practice nurse know. Please send an email to publichealth@brighton-hove.gov.ukto let us know who your visiting GP is.

Complete the NHS Capacity Tracker on a daily basis if possible.

Infection Control

For support with Infection, prevention and control, send an email to sxccg.infectionprevention@nhs.net.

Testing

If you have problems registering or the swabs haven't been delivered, please contact the DHSC helpline number on 0300 303 2713 or send an email to COVIDCareHomeTesting@dhsc.gov.uk.

For questions about registration or late results, send an email to PublicHealth.COVID19Testing@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

More information on COVID-19 and our services

For the latest overview of adult social care guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) see the Department of Health and Social Care portal.

If you have a question about our services during COVID-19, please send an email to both the:

In particular, please let us know as soon as possible if you are:

  • experiencing any staffing issues
  • whether you are open or closed to new referrals

Find out how you can get help if you need extra support because of COVID-19.