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Boots UK opens Covid19 vaccination site in Southport Pharmacy to help vaccinate the nation

BOOTS has opened a Covid19 vaccination site within it's Southport Pharmacy as it joins the drive to vaccinate the nation and will open more sites shortly. Boots began NHS Covid19 vaccinations at this Southport location, on Thursday, 4 February 2021, and is now available for NHS referrals. Southport is 1 of the latest Boots Pharmacies to offer the vaccinations, following the recent launch of the service at several stores across England. The Southport site will administer the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and will operate from specially designed facilities within its Southport store.

Boots opened its 1st vaccination site in Halifax, which has already helped numerous patients from the local community to receive their 1st vaccine. The retailer has also recently started to offer vaccinations in other Boots Pharmacies including:- Bluewater, Gloucester, and Huddersfield, with an option to expand further to more Boots stores in the future. Boots UK has considerable expertise in the delivery of vaccinations and is proud to support NHS England, including Southport, Merseyside.

Steve Evans, Area Manager of Boots in the North West, said:- "We are incredibly proud to support the NHS during this extraordinary time. Our Pharmacy Team is excited to get started and is delighted to be able to support residents in the local community, as helping them is at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to welcoming patients in store over the coming days and weeks and are thrilled that our Pharmacy has been selected to be at the forefront of the nation's vaccination efforts. Boots has extensive knowledge, experience, and proven capability in vaccination services making it well placed to support the NHS in delivering the vaccine across the UK. Boots has presented a model for Covid19 vaccinations to be administered in Boots stores, aligned with its exceptional safety, clinical and operational standards. Patients will be invited directly by the NHS to book their Covid19 vaccination appointment at the Boots Southport Pharmacy."

For more information about the vaccination program and how it will help protect those most vulnerable, please visit:- NHS.UK/CovidVaccination.

If invited by your GP Practice to get a vaccination, please DO HAVE IT! The more people who get vaccinated, the sooner the nation can move on from the Covid19 Pandemic.

For information about Coronavirus (Covid19) and testing, please see:- NHS.UK/Conditions/Coronavirus-Covid19/.

Further information about local restrictions and testing can also be found at:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Covid19

The Covid19 vaccination is only available through the NHS in the UK. The NHS WILL NEVER ask patients for money for the Coronavirus vaccine. ALL of the Covid19 NHS immunization programs are completely FREE of charge.

In the UK the vaccine will be offered to people in order of clinical priority, stipulated by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Thanks to Boots and the many other groups involved, the NHS is on track to meet its ambitious target of offering a vaccine to the four top priority groups by the middle of February 2021.

Did you know? Boots UK is part of the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq - WBA), which is a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy, touching millions of lives every day through dispensing and distributing medicines, and through its convenient retail locations, digital platforms and health and beauty products. More company information is available at:-Boots-UK.Com.

RMT demands Government action and clarity over South African Covid variant on TfL and Merseyrail

TRANSPORT Union RMT confirmed today that it has written to the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, demanding action after the union revealed that both TfL and Merseyrail are instructing staff in the postcodes impacted by the South African variant of Covid19 to attend work in apparent contravention of the Government's own instructions to the public as set out through the media by Matt Hancock yesterday.

In his letter, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "RMT members want to support the Government approach to halting the spread of this variant, but can only do this by staying at home until their testing is complete and they are informed that it is safe to return to their normal work pattern. It is therefore highly irresponsible of their employers to be advising them to do otherwise, particularly as research has shown that a third of those with the virus do not have symptoms and as many of these staff work in public facing roles. I therefore write requesting that you urgently clarify your advice to transport employers whose staff live, or travel into, the relevant postcode areas."

Mick Cash said:- "I have written to the Transport Secretary demanding the Government give clear advice to transport employers whose staff live, or travel into, areas that have been hit by the new South African strain of Coronavirus. Our members on TfL and Merseyrail are frontline workers who have kept transport running through a Global Pandemic in which Britain has been one of the hardest hit countries. They should not be put at further unnecessary risk. All we are asking for is that the Government show consistency and clarity with the instructions Matt Hancock gave the public yesterday and direct these major transport organisations to follow the restrictions that are in place to help halt the spread of the virus."

CLA calls for improved maintenance system to stave off flooding

UNDERTAKING regular maintenance of England's main rivers would help improve flooding in rural areas, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has said:- "Recent storms have wreaked havoc across rural communities, damaging agricultural land and businesses as well as people's homes. The Government, as part of its 2020 Budget, pledged ₤5.2 billion funding for flood risk reduction; earmarked specifically for new infrastructure. But the CLA, which represents 28,000 rural businesses across England and Wales, estimates an extra ₤75 million per year is needed for maintenance of flood risk assets to help stave off flooding. The CLA says 3.7 million acres of land in England and Wales are at risk from flooding."

CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "Many farmers and businesses have suffered catastrophic consequences of flooding from extreme weather events, and it could get worse. In many rural areas the key issue is not a need for new infrastructure, but the fact that flood defences on main rivers are not being consistently maintained by the Environment Agency. This greatly increases the pressure on land managers who farm alongside main rivers, and those who manage flood risk further upstream; such as internal drainage boards. For flood risk management to be effective, everyone must play their part, and currently the Environment Agency is vastly under resourced. For this reason, the CLA is calling for extra funding specifically to help the Environment Agency uphold their statutory responsibility to mitigate flood risk. Right now, some farmland is used to store water to protect communities downstream from further flooding. This is saving potentially millions of pounds' worth of damage to local homes and businesses, but in the vast majority of cases it's done without compensation. Whatever crop happens to be standing in those fields is lost. While acts like these help the community, it still leaves a big hole for many flood hit businesses in the countryside which is why Government needs to come forward with this extra investment to help mitigate the risk of flooding altogether."

CLA North Rural Surveyor Robert Frewen, who has lobbied the Environment Agency and local MPs for extending operation of drainage pumps in the North West (Lancashire) said:- "Following our efforts in extending the continued operation of drainage pumps to drain agricultural land in the North West, I am confident that the Environment Agency will continue operating these pumps. These pumps are vital in aiding drainage on prime agricultural land."

Employers are being urged to pan for the effects of Long Covid

UK Doctors are urging employers to plan for the effects of Long Covid now as cases continue to grow. Without planning how to manage the condition in advance, employers risk being left with big staffing problems.

Dr. Greg Irons MBChB MFOM, an occupational health specialist practising in London explains:- "The Medical profession knows about post viral syndromes, but the potential scale and complexity of Long Covid is presenting new challenges. The UK Government's Office for National Statistics published data last November showing that around 1 in 5 people who tested positive for Covid19 had symptoms that lasted for 5 weeks or longer; and one in ten people had symptoms that lasted for 12 weeks or longer."

1 large study recently published in:- 'The Lancet' following 1,733 adults in Wuhan who were recovering from Covid found 76% of patients reported at least one post viral symptom. More than 50% showed chest problems on scans. Other studies have shown many patients had lingering lung problems 3 months after infection.

Considering that approaching 4 million people in the UK have tested positive so far (and the true number of infections is likely to be higher), employers are potentially looking at a significant number of Long Covid cases within the UK workforce.

It is likely to be challenging for employers and Doctors to navigate the complexities of Long Covid. Unless a PCR swab test was taken (and gave a positive result) at the time of infection, or specific (highly accurate) antibody testing was done in the weeks soon after, it is difficult to prove if an employee has had Covid19 or not.

Importantly, a negative result from an antibody test does not mean an employee has not had Covid19. Over time, antibody levels may have depleted and become undetectable. Consequently, it can be impossible to definitively confirm if an employee has had Covid19 in the past.

Because the diagnosis is subjective and the symptoms are varied, Long Covid is reminiscent of other chronic conditions, which can also be challenging for employers to manage. Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME) and some types of chronic back pain are just some examples.

There is no definitive guide for exactly how long it may take to fully recover from Long Covid. Recovery times can be different for every patient, although symptoms usually resolve within 12 weeks for most people. This will present difficulties for employers.

As far as is understood, the chances of developing Long Covid are not thought to be linked to the severity of the initial infection. Some patients report long term problems, although were not Hospitalised during the initial infection. New or ongoing symptoms can occur and can also change dramatically at any time.

Many patients are reporting psychological or cognitive concerns following infection, sometimes long after they have recovered.

Mike Battista, Staff Scientist at Cambridge Brain Sciences, the online platform for assessing cognitive function says:- "With Covid19, the severity of cognitive impairments can vary widely from person to person. Traditional methods of measuring those problems are usually a 1 off binary decision: is someone severely impaired or not? Clinicians are much better served by a continuous measure of cognitive capacity to track subtle changes over time."

However, assessing the physical elements of Long Covid can also be very difficult. Physiotherapy can certainly help, although rehabilitation is likely to require care and support from many different medical disciplines. That is not always a straightforward process.

Consequently, rehabilitation from Long Covid may involve a multi disciplinary approach. That can take time and requires employee consent. Primary Care, Occupational Health, Respiratory Physiotherapy and other services are likely be involved. This may well require significant patience and co-ordination, especially if it is led by an employer.

Magnus Kauders, Managing Director of Occupational Health Assessment Ltd, a nationwide occupational health provider says:- "Just because an employee has a long term medical condition, it does not mean an employer has no options. Rehabilitation can be time consuming and tricky, but it can be done As a last recourse, the capability channel will remain available for employers. However, that will usually require professional insight, at the very least support from occupational health and probably specialist legal support."

Clinicians are already suggesting that the future support for Long Covid recovery will involve a much more nuanced approached than historical approaches to rehabilitation.

It will also involve cutting edge tools providing Doctors and employers with an objective evaluation of each patient's progress at every stage of their rehabilitation.

Although these tools to support rehabilitation are there, it still may not be an easy path for employers. Dr. Irons summarised:- "It is likely to require physical, psychological, biological and social support, possibly for many years to come."

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:- 20,634 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,892,459 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:-915 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:- 110,250, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 112,660.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 31,670. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,625 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 2,375.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,408,879 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 534,844 confirmed cases.

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

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

Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 44,270 confirmed cases.
236

► Halton, 10,879 confirmed cases.
79

► Knowsley, 15,894 confirmed cases. 91

► Sefton, 21,600 confirmed cases.
131

► St. Helens, 14,933 confirmed cases.
115

► Wirral, 22,308 confirmed cases.

103

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & 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, 16,121 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 8,239 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 22,062 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 15,025 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 18,223 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 19,128 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 86,220 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 46,528 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 20,266 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 11,735 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 18,488 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 20,092 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 17,784 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 15,548 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 14,593 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 15,915 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 25,396 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

10,490,487 501,957

Jab Stats correct as of 3 February 2021

The vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both vaccines are given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart, for a full vaccination course.

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 R number is estimated at:- 0.7 to 1.1, with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -5% to 0%, as of 29 January 2021.

Previous 24hr Data

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