THE impact of Covid in Southend is set to be discussed as the public annual health report is presented.

The latest report will be presented by Southend's director for public health, Krishna Ramkhelawon at the meeting on July 27.

In his report, Mr Ramkhelawon reflects on the key achievements and challenges faced during the pandemic.

The report covers key areas highly impacted by the pandemic which the council will look to refresh and address - including mental health, obesity, drug and alcohol misuse, and wellbeing of some our more vulnerable groups.

The impact of Covid on mental wellbeing has been addressed as people battled with living with restrictions, the closure of schools and workplaces while also dealing with illness and bereavement.

The report details how the council is due to launch a health and wellbeing strategy for Southend, with adult obesity and weight management a key priority.

Websites and support services which promote self-care and self-help will be raised to heighten awareness while extra effort will be paid to more vulnerable groups.

These include unpaid carers, homeless people ad those living with autism.

Mr Ramkhelawon said: “We need to strike a balance between the challenge the continued management of the coronavirus pandemic and the recovery of services, alongside delivery of the Southend 2050 ambition and the NHS’s Health and Care Partnership strategy, for Mid and South Essex.

“This is an opportunity to review our commissioning related services, make the most of our collaboration with the community sector, and allow our communities to play a more active role in designing services and making their own health decisions.

“Covid is still with us, so as we plan for winter, we will need to recalibrate, drive recovery and continue to adapt to live with this virus and its many variants.”