Coronavirus Update

Dundee City Council is working closely with partners across the city to deal with the increasing impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Officers are monitoring the local situation daily and following the advice given by government and NHS public health experts. The council continues to consider appropriate actions based on the national guidance.

As of Wednesday April 1:

• An appeal to help those who have recently been discharged from hospital;
• An update on annual gas safety checks;
• Further guidance for council managed allotments and community gardens.

People in Dundee are being asked to help a loved one, friend or someone they care for if they have recently been discharged from hospital as the Coronavirus outbreak continues to put significant pressure on local health and care services.

The Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership (DHSCP) is working to ensure patients whose discharge has been delayed are able to leave hospital as soon as they are medically fit to do so. This helps create vital extra capacity which allows NHS Tayside to accommodate people requiring intensive care treatment.

At the same time, Coronavirus (Covid-19) is presenting Care at Home services in the area with increasingly significant challenges. Families and carers of those currently in receipt of home care are also being asked to help.

Helping loved ones with tasks such as dressing, cleaning and cooking has been highlighted as significantly helping to reduce the current pressures on care services.

A spokesperson for Dundee HSCP said: “The current demand on services is unprecedented, and we expect that to be the case for quite some time.

“We are therefore asking people to be mindful that they may be contacted by our staff and asked to care for a family member or friend. If you are approached, I would urge you to think about how you can help, using a common-sense approach.

“We are prioritising Care at Home services for those who are most vulnerable and in need.

“It is clear that we face a challenge which we have not seen before in our lifetimes. Our overriding objective is about protecting and saving lives. We are hugely grateful for the support of communities, working together with us.”

As people are spending more time at home it has never been more important to have safe and secure gas heating systems. The annual servicing of gas heating is essential work and required by law to be carried out.

The council’s housing service will be in touch with tenants prior to their gas services to ensure no one in the household is presenting Coronavirus (Covid-19) symptoms or is in self-isolation.

It is important that our engineers are allowed access to carry out the service in order to ensure we all live in a safe and protected environment.

Engineers will take all necessary precautions to protect tenants and their families by wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adhering to social distancing measures. Tenants will be asked to follow the social distancing guidelines and to remain in another room during the gas system servicing.

The following Dundee City Council managed allotment sites will remain open and will follow the national Government guidance:
• Ancrum Road
• Arklay Terrace South
• MacAulay Street
• Magdalen Green

The guidance will also continue to be followed at community gardens and growing spaces.

Growers are encouraged to only have one trip outside each day for exercise, maintain social distancing and wash hands according to the public health advice. This is especially important before and after touching communal features, such as gates, locks and standpipe taps.

Sites with additional communal features, such as sheds, buildings, polytunnels, stores or toilets, should not be used until Government advice is updated. Tools and equipment should also not be shared under current guidance.

Any plot-owners over 70 years of age, with underlying health issues or pregnant should also follow the latest guidance and information issued by the Government.