All upper-tier local authorities have been instructed to produce a Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP) by the end of June 2020.
Local authorities have a significant role to play in the identification and management of COVID-19 outbreaks.
Directors of public health (DsPH) have a crucial leadership role to play ensuring that they have the plans in place as well as the necessary capacity and capability to quickly deploy resources to the most critical areas in response to COVID-19 outbreaks and to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The aim
The aim of the LOMP is to provide a clear plan on how local government works with the new NHS test and trace service to ensure a whole system approach (can we explain what a ‘whole system approach is?) to contain and manage local COVID-19 outbreaks.
This is a dynamic plan and will be updated as new national guidance is published or legislation changes.
Prevention and containment
Containing local outbreaks, while led by the local Director of Public Health, needs to be a coordinated effort working with:
- Public Health England local health protection teams
- the NHS
- social care
- district councils
- education
- the police
- the private sector
- employers
- the community and voluntary sector
Members of the general public also have a vital role to play in reducing the spread of the virus and preventing outbreaks. This includes following national guidance and advice about:
- sticking to the social distancing guidelines
- following good hand and respiratory hygiene practices
- having a test if displaying symptoms
- self-isolating if instructed to do so