New guidelines regarding testing for COVID-19

From 11 January, asymptomatic people who test positive for Covid-19 on a lateral flow device (LFD) will be required to isolate immediately and will no longer be required to take a confirmatory PCR test. This is a temporary measure that has been introduced while Covid-19 rates remain high across the UK and is supported by evidence that shows the high accuracy of LFD testing.

The guidance remains the same for anyone who develops Covid-19 symptoms; they must immediately self-isolate and take a PCR test, even if they have received a negative lateral flow test.

Confirmatory PCR tests to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow test results – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Healthy living courses for families

BeeZee Bodies have released their new timetable of free after school groups in Hertfordshire, starting in January. Locations include Borehamwood, Cheshunt, Harpenden, Hertford, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Welwyn and Watford. Sign up at: www.beezeebodies.com

There are lots of resources available for professionals on the BeeZee Bodies professionals page – including a banana penguin recipe, which you are welcome to share.

Start your journey to better health
Eating well, moving more and getting your weight on track has many health benefits.
Find lots of free tips, tools and support to help you reach a healthy weight and eat

better on the Better Health website, including the free NHS weight loss plan app.

Hertfordshire’s free Shape Up classes start again in January. Classes are tailored specifically for men or women and are a fun and effective way to get fitter and lose weight.

You can also view their better health guide for children here.

Get your YOU back: Dry January

Dry January is the UK’s one-month alcohol-free challenge, an opportunity to ‘Get your YOU back’.

A month off alcohol is the perfect way to kick start the new year and reset your relationship with alcohol. It only takes three weeks to break a habit, so this could be your route to healthier drinking long term.

The free Try Dry app can help you navigate your way through Dry January and beyond by helping you keep track of your units, calories and money saved and letting you earn badges along the way. You can also use it to track your drinking and set personalised goals all year round. Download the Try Dry app via https://bit.ly/HertsTryDry2022

Are people with Long Covid missing out on benefits?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS):

• 1.2 million people in the UK have Long Covid
• 426,000 have had it for at least a year, and
• 233,000 report that their ability to undertake daily activities has been “limited a lot” as a result.

Yet the DWP say there have been just 143 claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) based on Long Covid, between March and July 2021. That’s an average of fewer than one a day.

Of those 143 claimants, 108 got an award of PIP, which (at 76%) is much higher than the average success rate for PIP (42% for new claims).

So, people with Long Covid are either not being made aware of PIP (or Attendance Allowance if 66 or over) or their condition is not being recorded accurately.

See the Money Advice Unit factsheets on both benefits at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits