Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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RNIB Talk and Support service benefits people in North West during Coronavirus pandemic

A befriending service run by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has been offering a range of support to people with sight loss in the North West of England during the Coronavirus pandemic.

RNIB's Talk and Support service invites people with sight loss across the UK to connect with others weekly using a phone or computer. Trained staff and volunteers facilitate the calls and match people together for general conversations.

RNIB Confidence Building Co-ordinator for the North West, Kalsum Akhtar said:- "Coronavirus has made life more difficult for a lot of people, but measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including social distancing, have had a dramatic impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted people. We know that many have been discouraged from visiting friends and family because of worries about social distancing, and isolation and loneliness has become a real issue. Our Talk and Support service has been able to offer some light relief to people with fun quizzes and wellbeing calls and we have had some really positive feedback. I would encourage anybody in the North West of England who is interested in finding out more to get in touch."

Alongside the weekly befriending phone calls, RNIB Talk and Support has helped people to combat isolation by organising a selection of fun quizzes since mid July, with themes such as:- 'Lights, Camera, Action' and a 'Double Denim and Big Hair' 80's quiz. Short story groups and wellbeing courses offering advice on how people who are isolating can get the best from each day have also proved very successful and hundreds of people have benefitted from this additional support.

To join an RNIB Talk and Support group, register your interest by visiting:- RNIB.Org.UK or call the RNIB Helpline on:- 03031239999.

Liverpool City Centre bucks national trend post lockdown

THE number of people visiting restaurants in Liverpool ONE, in August 2020, was up almost a 3rd compared to the same period in 2019, new figures show. Compared to July 2020, Liverpool ONE saw an 85% rise in visitor numbers to eateries, while across the City Centre there was a 27% rise in overall footfall compared to the previous month, hitting pre-lockdown levels.

At the latter end of August, Liverpool ONE reported footfall growth of 3% compared to 2019, with the final week proving to be the second busiest week of the year so far. Data from Liverpool BID Company, which manages both Business Improvement Districts in the City Centre, shows that, on Wednesday, 26 August 2020, there were a total of 180,154 people in the City Centre, compared to 182,145, on Wednesday, 11 March 2020, just before shops and restaurants were ordered to shut.

The data, which can be accessed here, shows:-

► The biggest impact was on Mondays, where there was a noticeable increase in footfall throughout August, compared with Mondays in July.

► Retail and hospitality reopening had the biggest increase on City Centre footfall in June and July 2020.

► The good weather in July, and then later August, helped to boost the figures as people take advantage of Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool City Council and Culture Liverpool's Liverpool Without Walls and outside dining offer.

Liverpool City Council launched a ₤450,000 fund in June to help local small to medium sized businesses redesign outdoor spaces and turn them into high quality, covered seating areas; making up for the internal space they have lost as a result of social distancing restrictions. It has seen Bold Street closed to traffic across the summer and attractive wooden parklets installed along the road, transforming the area, which has proved to be hugely popular with businesses and visitors. Part of Castle Street has also been temporarily closed to traffic, enabling venues to spill out on to the streets. Altogether it has created 2,700 extra covers for drinking and dining in the City Centre.

This initiative forms part of a wider recovery plan which has also seen a special fund created aimed at the City's arts organisations and freelance community to bring culture to the streets of Liverpool, which began running over the August Bank Holiday weekend and continues across the coming 2 weekends. Despite the improvement, footfall across the City Centre remains down around a 3rd on August 2019, largely due to a lack of international tourists and fewer office workers.

Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, said:- "These encouraging figures demonstrates clearly that the work we have been doing over the last few months is making a huge difference to the economy of the City Centre. Make no mistake: people have been given the confidence to return to the City Centre as a result of the work we are doing with Liverpool BID Company and the Chamber of Commerce, and for some independent businesses it will have been the difference between surviving or going under. The hospitality sector is hugely important to the City and we are determined to do all we can to help it through this unprecedented period, so people can enjoy our restaurants, bars and cafes in a safe way. We are now on with funding pop up cultural events in the City Centre so people can enjoy street entertainment in a safe and controlled way."

Ian Silverberg, Deputy Chair of Liverpool BID Company, said:- "Liverpool does buck the trend in a lot of ways. The restaurants are getting busier. The pedestrianisation of Castle Street, that's done very well and Bold Street as well. I've been in each day and noticed each week, every week that there have been more and more people outside and you could see more people walking across the street."

Donna Howitt, Marketing and Communications Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "Confidence is returning to the City Centre and we are delighted with the growth in visitor numbers, which is ahead of that in other areas of the country. Social distancing and hand hygiene measures continue to be enforced and they are as important now as when 1st implemented for the easing of lockdown. We are looking forward to students returning to the city in September which will help to support recovery post a strong August 2020."

Total UK cases COVID-19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 1,735 cases and the total number now stand at 340,411, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be 13 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 41,527.

The number of COVID-19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 799. The current number of COVID-19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 80. Daily number of COVID-19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 124.

In England, there are a total of 293,925 confirmed cases. North West - total of 54,225 confirmed cases.

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

► Liverpool, 2,917 confirmed cases.

► Halton, 747 confirmed cases.

► Knowsley, 1,091 confirmed cases.

► Sefton, 1,720 confirmed cases.

► St. Helens, 1,294 confirmed cases

► Wirral, 2,259 confirmed cases..

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

► Blackburn with Darwen, 1,890 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 1,107 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 2,497 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 1,620 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 2,413 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 2,165 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 8,370 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 4,411 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 2,998 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 1,470 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 2,311 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 1,861 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 2,004 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 1,981 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 1,726 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 1,444 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 2,347 confirmed cases.

WARNING - Some areas within England which are currently in Lockdown or have Enhanced Restrictions

LOCKDOWN restrictions have been eased in:- Stockport, Burnley, Hyndburn, parts of Bradford, excluding Bradford City and Keighley Town, parts of Calderdale, excluding:- Halifax, and parts of Kirklees, excluding:- Dewsbury and Batley.

According to Government rules, people living in these areas can now:-

Socialise in groups of up to 2 households indoors or in private gardens

► Stay overnight at somebody else's home but must try to social distance

► Book close contact services such as facials and brow or eyelash treatments

► Visit bowling alleys, roller rinks, soft play centres and casinos

► Measures were imposed at the end of July amid a rise in cases.

► Stockport has joined Wigan in being allowed to have 2 households socialise indoors.

But in:- Bolton, Trafford, Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Bury and Tameside it is still banned. In Oldham people are advised not to meet up with other households outdoors as well.

Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive COVID test.

Daily and cumulative numbers of COVID-19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected COVID-19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates ... and Important Emergency Notices ...

Total UK cases COVID-19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates
... and Important Emergency Notices ...