Torbay Council is providing support for the local community during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, including delivering food parcels to the residents who the government has identified as the most vulnerable in Torbay. A list of approximately 150 people was received by the Council at 8.30am today and by the close of business today, 90 individuals received parcels including food, toilet rolls and toiletries.

This is first tranche of the 1.5m people identified nationally in need of support to self-isolate. It is anticipated that over time Torbay will receive future lists of those in need of support for self-isolation.

The Council has now been given the details for those in the bay who government have advised to shield themselves for 12 weeks. 

Leader of Torbay Council, Councillor Steve Darling, said: “The current outbreak of Coronavirus is a difficult and challenging time for us all, and we understand that it is having a far reaching impact on our residents and local communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable. 

“I want to assure everyone that the whole council is working flat out alongside all our partners in the public, voluntary and private sector to make sure we are putting as much as possible in place, so we can help people the people of Torbay get through this.

“Our residents and communities are already demonstrating a strong community spirit. It is fantastic to see many people offering support to our more vulnerable.”

Other support includes:

• working with schools and nurseries to provide care needed for the families of our key workers,
• keeping our care system fully functioning to ease pressure on our hospital.
• supporting our most vulnerable children and adults in the Bay including those who do not have a permanent home.
• redeploying Council staff and resources to help keep essential services up and running
• signposting and supporting local businesses.

Councillor Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “It’s a hard time for everyone at the moment but it’s vital that we continue to support those who can’t support themselves and need that bit of extra help. Thank you to everyone that is helping and don’t forget we can all do our bit by staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.”

Nationally, 1.5m clinically vulnerable people have been advised by the NHS to stay at home for 12 weeks and be shielded from coronavirus. 900,000 vulnerable people received letters last week from the NHS giving them guidance.

Food deliveries are currently part of a national service, as part of a wide range of support for extremely vulnerable people and are being organised by government in partnership with the grocery industry, local government and local resilience forums.

Other support

• Torbay Council call centre provision will be increased and operational hours extended to include the weekends. This will be in place from Monday 30 March. The main number to contact is 01803 207201.
• A Torbay Coronavirus Help Hub has also been set up to help people who are isolating with non-emergency matters – 01803 446 022 (8am to 8pm). Brixham Does Care can be contacted on 01803 857 727 (Mon-Fri 9am to 4.30pm). Anyone interested in volunteering to help can also contact these numbers. An online helpline form is available 
• More information is on the Torbay Council COVID-19 information page