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.

Remembrance Services 2020

THE Formby, Hightown and Altcar Churches Together Remembrance Services will be held this year online. We will give full list of channels to access the official services, for both Remembrance Sunday and also Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) on Saturday, both here and also on our Social Media Channels.

Time running out for nominations in for the 2020 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards

THERE is now just 1 week left for Sefton's artists arts organisations and other community groups to get their nominations in for the 2020 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards. Friday, 13 November 2020, is the closing date for nominations to the Awards, which will celebrate Liverpool City Region's thriving culture and creativity, even in the face of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Due to be announced in February 2021, the 2020 Awards will recognise arts and cultural events, and innovation and creative activity, which has taken place within the Liverpool City Region between 1 April 2019 and 12 November 2020.

When the Awards were announced, Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council and Culture, Tourism and The Visitor Economy Portfolio holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:- "Our Borough has a wealth of individuals and organisations involved in the arts and is a hotbed of creativity. We want to see that reflected in the entry for these prestigious City Region Culture and Creativity Awards. The Covid19 pandemic has had a huge impact on every aspect of our lives including the arts and our own Borough of Culture 2020 celebrations have been affected, but I have seen huge levels of creativity despite the restrictions and these Awards with the special categories will celebrate that innovation."

At the same time Cllr Trish Hardy Sefton Council's main Borough of Culture sponsor said:- "When the COVID-19 restrictions hit, individuals and organisations behind the planned Borough of Culture 2020 reacted swiftly. They adapted their projects and made them digital so that people could enjoy them and take part in the activities online, through home based activities or even by post. The 2020 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards and particularly the Borough of Culture 'Star of the Year' category, are an ideal way to recognise this adaptability and determination to deliver projects that have helped lift local people's spirits and provided fun things for people of all ages to do."

Finalists will be announced on Monday, 5 January 2021 and the Liverpool City Region community will be able to vote for their chosen winner for the People's Choice Award. The Awards ceremony, which will be a digital event with presenters still to be announced, will take place on Friday, 19 February 2021.

Nominations can be completed online at:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.

New local Covid19 Testing Site opened on the Wirral

A new walk through Coronavirus testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments, at Heswall Hall Library, in Wirral as part of the Government's UK wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of Coronavirus testing for local communities.

Testing is only available for those with Coronavirus symptoms; a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with 1 or more of these symptoms should book a test at:- NHS.UK/Coronavirus or by calling:- 119. The Government is committed to continue expanding the capacity of the network of UK test sites and laboratories to make it even easier to get tested and reduce the time it takes to receive test results.

The new site is situated so it is easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including:- social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including:- while travelling to and from the Testing Centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at a Walk Through Test Site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Testing at the new site has started on Friday, 6 November 2020, with appointments made available each day.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history which has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day and includes more than 600 sites across the UK, including:- 79 drive through sites, 271 walk through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and 5 Lighthouse laboratories.

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said:- "Walk through sites offer communities better access to Coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test. This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand our testing network across the UK which is now has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day. We will continue to expand capacity to improve test turnaround times and push forward testing innovations to make sure anyone who needs a test can get 1. Please book a test if you have Coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss or change in sense of smell or taste, and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted."

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them trace their contacts. This will help to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said:- "To respond to the Coronavirus, we have built a major testing and tracing system from scratch. We are constantly working to expand and improve it with new technologies and innovations so everyone with symptoms can get a test. New walk in sites like this 1 makes it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of Coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others and stop the spread of the virus."

The Testing Centre is being operated in partnership with Mitie and will offer self administered tests.

Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government and Strategy Officer, said:- "Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation's efforts to fight Covid19 and help keep the country running. Testing is a critical part of the UK's strategy to combat Coronavirus and we're proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Wirral, who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe."

Mass testing to scale up with opening of additional Centres

A total of 14 Covid19 Test Centres will be open in Liverpool, on Saturday, 7 November 2020, as the City's mass testing programme for people without symptoms moves in to a second day. Following long waits due to demand for testing on Friday, residents are being asked to make sure they have booked an appointment at:- Gov.UK/TestLiverpool, via the NHS Covid19 app or by calling:- 119; and not to just walk up to a Test Centre.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, who has lost his brother to Covid19 said:- "The people of Liverpool did not let us down on the 1st day and I am delighted that so many people turned out for a test. This is a huge logistical exercise the likes of which has not been tried before, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank people for their patience and understanding as I know many had to queue for a while for a test. As we bring more sites online across the City and build up testing capacity there will be more slots available which will make it easier. This is a massive project involving many different partners across the City and it is a fantastic Team Liverpool effort so far."

People with symptoms should not attend 1 of the mass Testing Centres:- they should book a test at:- Gov.UK/Get-Coronavirus-Test or by calling:- 119 and arrange a test at 1 of the mobile testing units in the City.

The new Centres will be open from 7am until 7pm, at the following locations and can be booked online.

The newly opened Test Centre are as follows:-

► Lifestyles Walton, Walton Hall Park, L49XP.

► Lifestyles Austin Rawlinson, Conleach Road, Speke, L240TR.

► Bridge Community Centre, Daneville Road, L49RG.

► St Stephen's Church Hall, Fingall Road, L159JE.

► Aintree Baptist Church, Longmoor Lane, L90EH.

► Croxteth Sports Centre, Altcross Road, L110BS.

► St Johns Market, Liverpool City Centre.

► University of Liverpool Gym, Bedford Street North, L697ZN.

They are in addition to the 6 existing sites are as follows:-

► Lifestyles Alsop Fitness Centre, 1 Walton Village, L46RW.

► Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Kings Dock, L34FP.

► Lifestyles Ellergreen, Ellergreen Road, L112XY.

► Lifestyles Park Road, Steble Street, L86QH.

► Liverpool Tennis Centre, Wellington Road, L154LE.

► Lifestyles Garston, Long Lane, L196PE.

People without symptoms will also be offered drive through appointments at other mobile testing units, within the City, to maximise capacity. As everyone is in a car they are protected from each other.

Hundreds of thousands of tests will be made available over the trial period which will include:-

► Lateral Flow Test (LFT) this is a simple self-swab test which will give results in under an hour.

► Existing swab tests; these mouth and nose swabs will supply results within 48 to 72 hours.

Everyone in the City is being asked to get tested, but there is specific emphasis in asking health and care workers, other emergency services and key workers, School staff and pupils, University staff and students to come forward.

More Centres will be opened in the coming days and it is expected that the pilot will last initially for around 2 weeks, with a view to it being extended. Liverpool City Council will be supported by the military in the planning, coordination and delivery of whole City testing.

Testing will be carried out in new and existing test sites, using home kits, in Hospitals and Hospital settings, and Schools, Universities and workplaces.

Following a test, results are received from NHS Test and Trace via text and email. Anyone coming for a test should bring a mobile phone with them.

Anyone who tests positive, using either a lateral flow test or an existing swab test, must self isolate along with their household immediately and their contacts will be traced. Those who test negative will need to continue to follow all national guidance. In addition, anybody testing positive via the lateral flow testing may be asked to take a 2nd confirmatory PCR test.

These more advanced tests will help identify infectious individuals who are not displaying symptoms and help far more positive cases so they can self isolate and prevent the virus from spreading, in a 1st step towards rolling out mass testing more widely across the UK.

Director of Public Health Matthew Ashton said:- "Thanks to everyone who has taken part so far; it is really heartening to see how the people of Liverpool have truly embraced this. With a huge project like this which we have pulled off in record time there are bound to be teething issues and we won't get everything right. We are tweaking and making changes all the time to make the process more efficient for people and must focus on our ambition: to quickly identify people who have the virus and reduce transmission substantially."

If the tests are successful, the Government will aim to roll out the pilot to "millions" between now and Christmas.

Total UK cases COVID19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE latest UK R number is estimated at 1.1 to 1.3 with a daily infection growth rate range of +2% to +4%.

The total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 23,287 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,146,484 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:- 355, 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:- 48,475, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 60,051.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 12,999. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,181 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,525.

In England, there are a total of:- 975,504 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 239,326 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, 20,287 confirmed cases.
147

► Halton, 3,803 confirmed cases.
53

► Knowsley, 6,741 confirmed cases. 50

► Sefton, 8,742 confirmed cases.
98

► St. Helens, 6,291 confirmed cases
89

► Wirral, 8,662 confirmed cases.

121

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 are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 7,442 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 4,153 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 11,820 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 7,466 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 6,822 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 6,546 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 36,806 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 22,496 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 11,211 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 5,540 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 9,497 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 10,106 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 8,200 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 8,088 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 7,090 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 6,708 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 12,648 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.

Liverpool City Region COVID19 Updates ... and Important Emergency Notices ...

Total UK cases COVID19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

Liverpool City Region COVID19 Updates
... and Important Emergency Notices ...