Health Bulletin
Unfortunately the significant increase in the number of COVID cases reported in Reigate & Banstead previously mentioned has continued with a further 105 cases reported last week including 49 of the Delta Variant and a very high proportion in the 10 years to 19 years age group.. This is more than double any other Surrey borough.
This is a link to the page where you can download the latest detailed briefing for the situation in both Surrey and Nationally.
Please take note of these reports and maintain your vigilance relating to preventative measures.
Surrey County Council link for COVID updates and resources including translations into different languages
National Data on testing, cases, vaccine, deaths is updated daily, now also available in easy-read version.
VARIANTS OF CONCERN
· This week there has been an increase in VOCs in specific areas of Surrey, in particular among 11-16 year olds.
· The best thing everyone can do to avoid catching or spreading all VOCs is get tested, get vaccinated (especially parents/carers of 11-16 year olds) and remember Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air, especially if socialising indoors.
· Public Health England have a suite of Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air campaign resources available to download and share. The approach to preventing transmission of all variants is the same: safe behaviours!
· The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a new naming system for variants of COVID-19, as shown in the table below:
| WHO Name | Country / Region | Scientific Name |
| Alpha | United Kingdom (Kent) | B.1.1.7 |
| Beta | South Africa | B.1.351 |
| Gamma | Brazil | P.1 |
| Delta | India | B.1.617.2 |
VACCINATION
· People who will turn 30 before 1 July 2021 can now have a COVID-19 vaccination – book via the NHS. Keep an eye on the news as this age limit may reduce soon.
· 2nd doses are being brought forward from 12 weeks to 8-9 weeks for the top 9 priority groups –
· The NHS or your local GP-led hub will contact you, or you can book online
· Blood clots and low platelet counts after the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine are extremely rare, but people aged under 40 with no underlying health conditions will be offered Pfizer or Moderna instead if available
TESTING
To get a test in Surrey:
* Call 020 8865 1952 (Mon-Fri 08.30, Sat-Sun 09:00-17:00, local charges apply)
* Collect a test kit for home use
You will receive your result by text/ email from NHS Test & Trace, usually in 30 min.
Some people may be able to access a test via their place of work or study.
· Alternatively, order a test online from the national programme for home delivery
· For a guide on how to do a rapid lateral flow test at home, a short video is available
· Surrey County Council’s website is updated regularly with any changes to test sites or eligibility
Use the NHS postcode checker to find a pharmacy near you to get a lateral flow test if you don’t have COVID symptoms
ACTION FRAUD SCAM WARNING
Phishing remains the most successful attack vector for cyber criminals targeting individuals and businesses.
Cyber criminals love phishing. Unfortunately, this is not a harmless riverbank pursuit. When criminals go phishing, you are the fish and the bait is usually contained in a scam email or text message. The criminal’s goal is to convince you to click on the links within their scam email or text message, or to give away sensitive information (such as bank details). These messages may look like the real thing but are malicious. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords.
As of 30 April 2021, over 5.8 million emails were reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). The tool, which was launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police last April, allows the public to forward suspicious emails to an automated system that scans it for malicious links. Since its launch, over 43,000 scams and 84,000 malicious websites have been removed.
What are the most common phishing scams?
The most commonly spoofed organisation reported in phishing emails was TV Licensing, with victims of these emails reporting losses totalling £5.3m. The majority of losses occurred as a result of victims following malicious links in the emails and inputting their personal information into what they thought was the legitimate TV Licensing website. Shortly after, they would receive a call from criminals impersonating bank staff who was able to convince them that their bank accounts were compromised and persuaded them to transfer all of their money to a new ‘safe’ account. Some of the other most commonly impersonated organisations included HMRC and DVLA. We also received more than 40,000 suspicious email reports relating to COVID-19.
How you can protect yourself from phishing messages.
Fake emails and text messages can sometimes be difficult to spot and criminals are constantly getting better at finding ways to make them seem more authentic. Email address spoofing, for example, is just one of the tactics criminals will use to try and make their fake emails look real. Here are some tips you should follow to protect yourself, and others, from scam emails and text messages:
1: Be cautious of messages asking for your personal information. Official organisations, such as your bank, should never ask you for personal or financial information via email or text message. If you receive a message and you want to check that it’s legitimate, you can call the organisation directly using a known number, such as the one on a bank statement or utility bill.
2: Report suspicious emails. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, you should report it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk. Your reports will help government and law enforcement agencies to remove malicious emails and websites.
3: Report suspicious text messages. If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge and enables your mobile network provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.
4: Report fraud. If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime, please visit: actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrime
Upcoming Events
As the lock down rules are easing, for a period of time whilst things get back to normal I am going to start adding details of upcoming events in the locality of our two villages.
Banstead Commons Conservators will be running a series of Guided Walks starting on the 10th June over Banstead Heath and continuing on 3rd July over Park Down. See the link below for details of the full program and how to take part – there will normally be a £5 participation fee and numbers will be limited on each walk.
The KWT Horticultural Society is hoping to stage its usual Flower Show in the Good Shepherd Hall on Saturday 26th June with doors open for public admission from 2pm. Plants and refreshments should be available.
The Friends of St Peter’s Walton-on-the-Hill will be holding their AGM on July 1st at 7.30pm. The evening will include ‘a cappella’ singing from ‘The Royal Males Barbershop Quartet”, former U.K. National Seniors Quartet Champions. Further information from Philip Truett on 01737 813832.
The annual Gardeners Delight Event when members of the Horticultural Society open their gardens to the public for a one-off admission fee is planned for 3rd and 4th July.
The Walton Village Kitchen is hoping to reopen its doors in Christchurch Hall for refreshments and light lunches on Saturday July 10th and thereafter the second Saturday of each month.
The Good Shepherd Church is hoping to organise a Table Top Sale and Summer Fete on Saturday July 10th
Keith Lewis will be opening his garden at 41 Shelvers Way Tadworth as part of the National Garden Scheme from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday July 11th.
TWOAT hopes to be organising a Quiz Evening in St John’s Hall on Wednesday July 14th starting at 7.30pm in St John’s Hall, Tadworth. Tickets at £12 to include a light buffet supper from mike.fox2@ntlworld.com.
Funds are being raised by the Walton Forum to refurbish the Howard Close Sports Pavilion with The Folksy Theatre who will be staging an open-air production of “Little Red and The Big Bad Wolf” at 2pm on Saturday, 17th July 2021 at the Breech Lane playing field. Tickets are on sale via www.folksytheatre.co.uk. WATBHA will host a licensed bar with alcohol and soft drinks on sale and there will also be an ice-cream van for the children, so all you’ll need to bring are chairs and rugs to sit on.
Please let me know if you have an event taking place within the next 8 weeks that you would like me to include in a future bulletin.
Keep well
Mike Fox For Neighbourhood Watch & Community Support 01737 350452