Gloucestershire County Council has said it will use additional government funding to ensure county care providers have the support they need to keep vulnerable people safe this winter.

The £4.8m funding, which will be distributed in two parts between November 2021 and March 2022, will help the county's care sector continue with measures such as rapid testing for staff and visitors, as well as to support them to make it as easy as possible for care staff to take up the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

This is the third round of funding taken from the Government's Infection Control and Testing Fund and allocated, by the council, to all Gloucestershire care providers - taking the total to date to £12.2 million.

Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, cabinet member for adult social care commissioning, said: "Winter is always a challenging time for the care sector and with Covid still circulating in our community this year is expected to be more difficult than before.

"This funding is vital to ensure that we carry on protecting Gloucestershire's most vulnerable people as well as to support the staff who continue to work tirelessly to keep our residents safe."

The COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination are being offered to all health and social care staff, as well as the over 50s and people who are more vulnerable to the serious effects of the viruses.