Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

YOU can get daily major and interesting news updates for the Liverpool City Region on our free email news service, via signing up on:- Formby Reporter. If you have any updates to send in or any views on the posts on here, please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Freshfields' National Trust Car Park to close for 2 days

ON Monday, 7 December 2020, Victoria Road National Trust Car Park will be closed from 1pm, whilst essential road and tree safety work takes place. The car park will reopen again at 9am, on Wednesday, 9 December 2020. Also, the area will have no pedestrian access on Tuesday, 8 December 2020, for safety reasons. The trust asks that people use Lifeboat Road Car Park as an alternative.

UK has authorised the Pfizer / BioNTech Covid19 vaccine

ON 2 December 2020 the Department of Health and Social Care said:- "The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer / BioNTech's Covid19 vaccine for use. This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) will shortly publish its final advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable. The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week. The NHS has decades of experience in delivering large scale vaccination programmes and will begin putting their extensive preparations into action to provide care and support to all those eligible for vaccination. To aid the success of the vaccination programme it is vital everyone continues to play their part and abide by the necessary restrictions in their area so we can further suppress the virus and allow the NHS to do its work without being overwhelmed." A spokesperson added that further details will be set out to the media shortly.

Self isolating residents across Sefton reminded of ₤500 Test and Trace Support Payment

RESIDENTS across Sefton are being reminded that they may be eligible for a ₤500 payment if they have been asked to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace. The scheme has been in place since the end of September 2020 to ensure that people do self isolate when they are required to, and to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. Those who are in receipt of certain benefits and cannot work during a self isolation period, are being urged to apply for the 1 off Test and Trace Support payment.

To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, an individual must:-

► Have been asked to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they've tested positive for Coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

► Be employed or self employed.

► Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.

► Be currently receiving:- Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:- "Self isolating is 1 of the simplest and most effective means of containing the virus and we need everyone to continue to take responsibility and play their part in ensuring people are protected. We do not want anyone across our Borough to fail to self isolate because of financial concerns during that time. The Council may be able to help if you're struggling financially. Sefton residents should check if they are eligible for this support and know that applications can be back dated to the start of the scheme which was introduced at the end of September."

Applications for those who qualify must be made to the Council and documentation will be required as part of the process:-

► Claimants will be asked to provide proof of NHS Test and Trace requesting they self isolate, a bank statement and proof of employment or self employment (such as evidence of self assessment returns) and their National Insurance Number.

► Applications will be back dated from the launch date of Monday, 28 September 2020.

► Everything about the application process is outlined on the Sefton Council website.

► People must self isolate for a minimum of 10 days from when their symptoms begin, or if they have tested positive and show no symptoms. People must self isolate for 14 days if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus.

► Also be aware that people who fail to self isolate when required could face fines of up to:- ₤10,000.

Please shop local and support local businesses

SMALL Business Saturday 2020 takes place this weekend with Southport BID encouraging people to recognise our Town's unique local firms. It comes at a fitting time, with enterprises including:- �non-essential' shops, restaurants, cafes, soft play centres, gyms, hairdressers, cinema, some bars and pubs and others opening after weeks of being closed during the national lockdown. Falling Covid19 figures in our area means that Southport is operating under the less restrictive Tier 2 measures which allows more businesses to open.

Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "Our diverse range of small businesses are what makes Southport so unique and gives it so much character. Our Town is the perfect place to shop and dine out or enjoy a coffee with friends or family this Winter. Now, more than ever, we all need to cherish and to support our small firms. This has been a very tough year for everyone with the Covid19 pandemic impacting our businesses hard and creating real uncertainty for so long. It has been good to see so many Southport businesses this week working hard to put everything in place to reopen safely and welcome back customers. The run up to Christmas, is a crucial time for so many. From speaking with local business owners I know they have made huge efforts to ensure their premises are Covid safe to give visitors the peace of mind they need. People coming back to shop or eat in town this December have lots to look forward to. Families can enjoy taking part in our Southport Nutcracker Trail, with the chance to win a ₤50 Southport Gift Card for posting your pictures with the #southportnutcrackers hashtag on social media or an iPad Mini for completing the trail. Southport's Christmas decorations and tree are now in place in both the town centre and also at Ocean Plaza for the 1st time. More than 70 local venues are also accepting the new Southport Gift Card which is a great way to support our local businesses."

Small Business Saturday began in the US 11 years ago as a response to the economic devastation of the financial crisis. It originated as a campaign by credit card company American Express, in response to a speech by Barack Obama in which he called small businesses:- "the engine of recovery" for the US economy. American Express created it to be grassroots and community focused, and it took on a life of its own.

The UK event is now well established. It is not just about retail businesses; it's about celebrating and promoting any small business.

It's about people and communities, and what's important to us. And what we want our lives to be, thinking about where we spend our money, who we trade with, who we employ, support and look after.

Around a million small businesses in the UK haven't been able to operate since the last lockdown. While there have been new start ups this year and digital companies have done well, a further 3 million to 4 million have struggled.

It's why a big focus of Small Business Saturday is a message to small business owners in Southport �You're not alone', with Southport BID urging people to spend local this year.

Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "This pandemic has shown that we all need to support our small businesses. We have seen a huge shift in our culture and our consciousness. People are now more aware of small businesses and the role that they play in our community."

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 16,170 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,659,256 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 648, within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 59,699, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 69,752.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 15,436. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,351 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,191.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,426,733 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 309,085 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

National UK Lockdown

LOCKDOWN

Liverpool City Region

► Liverpool, 24,180 confirmed cases.
65

► Halton, 4,730 confirmed cases.
27

► Knowsley, 10,594 confirmed cases. 22

► Sefton, 10,548 confirmed cases..
46

► St. Helens, 7,688 confirmed case.
41

► Wirral, 10,050 confirmed cases.

22

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 100 over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region, since start of the pandemic, are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 9,770 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,269 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 15,227 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 9,861 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 9,115 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 9,039 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 48,063 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 31,302 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 14,892 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 7,247 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 12,792 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 13,453 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 10,614 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 10,513 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 8,762 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 8,280 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 16,698 confirmed cases.

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

The latest UK R number is estimated at:- 0.9 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -2% to 0%.