Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes following the release of hospital patients to those care homes.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The safety of residents and staff is a priority. We announced in our Adult Social Care Action Plan, on 15 April 2020, that testing will be provided to all care home residents before they are discharged from hospital into a care home. A copy of the Plan is attached. On 28 April, the Government announced that testing would be expanded in the care sector to include both symptomatic and asymptomatic care home staff and residents. Testing asymptomatic workers and residents will help prevent and control outbreaks.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to measure the success of the NHSX contact tracing application being trialled on the Isle of Wight.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The Isle of Wight phase was intended to improve our understanding of how the different components of our COVID-19 response fit together and how parts of the healthcare system interact with each other. It was also an opportunity to test that the underlying technologies and systems work. Our evaluation of the Isle of Wight phase was designed to provide us with answers on the health behaviours of people who use the app and those who do not, the attitude of individuals to the contact tracing app and their experience of using it, how successfully the app fits in to the wider health service processes, and the app’s influence on wider health-seeking behaviours. The Government Digital Service and Natcen have been procured to survey opinions and attitudes across the Isle of Wight to the app whilst Zuhlke Engineering has been overseeing the technical activities and deliveries.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people in the UK they estimate will contract COVID-19 in 2020.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The number of people who contract COVID-19 in 2020 will depend on behavioural factors and future policy. The Government’s five tests will seek to ensure that COVID-19 cases are kept low, whilst enabling the economy to re-open. It is important that people keep alert to control the virus, and in doing so, we will save lives.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what scientific advice and other factors they are using to determine whether to recommend the use of face coverings in public.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies considered the very limited evidence available on the use of face coverings and advised that there was some positive benefit for reducing the transmission of COVID-19. However, the main ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are social distancing and washing hands regularly.
The Government is now advising wearing a face covering in situations where it is difficult to manage social distancing and there may be close contact with people the wearer would not usually meet. Further guidance on the use of facemasks is available in the Staying safe outside your home guidance published on 11 May in an online only format on GOV.UK.