Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health hails vaccine rollout in care homes
COUNCILLOR Ben Gray has welcomed the vaccine rollout in Vale of Glamorgan care homes, with every resident and member of staff set to be offered the jab by the end of January.
Those living and working in the County’s care homes started getting injections several weeks ago. A large proportion have now received them - and the hope is that figure will reach 100 per cent before next month.
Protecting some of the Vale’s most vulnerable residents and those that care for them is a major step towards overcoming Covid-19, and Cllr Gray, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, is upbeat about the progress being made.
“The rate at which care home residents and staff are being vaccinated is extremely encouraging and should provide real optimism that the fight against Covid-19 is being won,” he said.
“Some of those most at risk of becoming seriously ill should they contract coronavirus live in our care homes, while the risk of transmission in such a setting is also high because of the sheer number of people working and living in one building.
“That’s why they are at the very top of the priority list when it comes to administering the vaccine. It’s vital we make every effort to protect them.”
Cllr Gray reserved special praise for care home staff, who have selflessly gone about their work in the most testing of circumstances.
“Care home staff have played a heroic part in our response to this virus. They have gone above and beyond to look after our most vulnerable residents, regularly putting the needs of others before their own,” he said.
“That dedication cannot be overstated and is testament to the people working in our own social care department and those working in the many independent care homes in the Vale.
“I am incredibly grateful and proud of that commitment, as I am the efforts of all our other social care workers, not to mention other key workers: school staff, waste collection teams and everyone else who has gone the extra mile to keep the County moving during this crisis.”
Despite such cause for positivity, Cllr Gray also warned residents to guard against complacency.
Though there is a now a clear route out of this crisis, a return to normal life is still some way off.
In the meantime, the Council will do all it can to support residents.
“It’s important to continue stressing the messages that everyone should now be aware of,” added Cllr Gray.
“While the vaccination process is ongoing, we need to follow the restrictions. Currently, these are to stay at home, only leaving to exercise and gather essential supplies. You should not meet with anyone not in your household and work from home wherever possible.
“We will continue to offer support to individuals and businesses that need it. But our enforcement officers are also working with the police to ensure the rules are being observed. Where they are not, we will not hesitate to take firm, decisive action if appropriate.
“Many social care services continue to operate and our schools remain open for the children of key workers. Throughout the Council people are working hard to maintain the services on which people rely.
“We are working closely with colleagues in Public Health Wales and at the University Health Board to assist with the management of testing sites, such as the one on Colcot Road, the Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing service, and the establishment of the new mass vaccination centre at Holm View Leisure Centre in Barry.
“Ultimately the safety, health and wellbeing of residents is our very top priority and we will do whatever is within our power to protect this as we all continue to feel the impact of the pandemic.”