Coronavirus: Wednesday’s Local Updates

Care homes across the Hfm Region are to benefit from a new government fund aimed at helping to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Leicestershire County Council has been given just under £6.7m from the National Infection Fund and Northamptonshire County Council just over £8m.

The cash will help cover costs of implementing measures to reduce transmission of Covid-19.

A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the government’s plan to introduce an adult social care Infection Control Fund and we look forward to receiving the guidance on the grant, so we can continue supporting our care home providers to tackle the spread of COVID-19.”

There has been an increase in reports of dog fouling across the Harborough District during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Council says it could be because more people are out walking and the fact they have been encouraging people to tell them about hotspot areas where irresponsible owners are not clearing up after their pets.

Its Environmental Crime Team is now targeting those areas and a Harborough Council spokesman said: “We would remind people that dog fouling will not be tolerated and anyone who is caught, or is found not to be carrying bags to pick up after their dogs, can be fined £100 or up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.”

People in Market Harborough who have been making vital PPE for front-line health workers fighting Coronavirus have been forced to stop.

It’s after they saw a government document stating it would have to comply with certain standards and even leave them liable for legal action if anything goes wrong with it.

Aaron Shrive has made over 6,000 face shields in the past six weeks, which have been sent to hospitals, care homes and gp surgeries locally and nationally:

Aaron has contacted Harborough MP Neil O’Brien who has pledged to look into the situation.

Mr O’Brien said: “We clearly need some rules and regulations on PPE – but we also need some flexibility as well.

“Aaron has done a brilliant job up to now so we have to ascertain just where he stands.”

The Department of Health and Social care said “It is for NHS Trusts to ensure PPE kindly donated to them meets the required safety standards before being used by staff.”

Pupils at the Market Harborough C of E Academy can keep occupied in their gardens after teachers teamed up with local firms to give them all ‘seed bomb kits’ and plants.

The school’s Eco Team were donated them by Waitrose, Aldi and the Froggery Cottage garden in Desborough.

 

A Desborough book seller has launched a fundraising drive to provide new books for youngsters at Leicestershire’s Rainbows Children’s Hospice during the coronavirus pandemic.

Jenna Brennan, who runs Daisy’s Book Corner, is looking for donations to raise £120, and suggestions of which titles should be sent.

Support the idea HERE

 

To lift spirits, over 50 people from Market Harborough have joined in a lockdown rendition of football anthem Vindaloo!

They’ve recorded themselves singing and dancing to the Fat Less classic from their houses, gardens during daily exercise and workplaces.

Father and son George and Steve Rippin came up with the idea, after their daily lockdown video diaries and live shows on Facebook proved a real hit.

Steve, who put it all together, says at the moment people need something to laugh about: