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.

Bill Esterson MP criticises the Government in debate on procurement during Covid19 Pandemic

SEFTON Council are delighted to confirm the return of three major events which will take place in the sunny seaside resort across 2021. Work is well underway behind the scenes as the local authority's Tourism team and partners prepare to put on a fantastic and safe calendar of family fun with the planned return of the:- Southport Food and Drink Festival, Air Show and British Musical Fireworks Championships.

Tickets for both the 2021 Southport Air Show and British Musical Fireworks Championships will go on sale, from Friday, 11 December 2020, and are expected to sell out fast. To celebrate the return of the incredible Southport Air Show, which will take place the weekend of 3 July 2020, general admission entry will now be completely free for Under 16's. A brand new exclusive Pier Viewing ticket will also go on sale, with limited availability for those who want to guarantee the very best views of the upcoming Southport Air Show.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council's Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, welcomed the news, saying:- "We are incredibly delighted to be able to put on our 3 flagship tourism events in 2021. Our Tourism team and partners have been working exceptionally hard to ensure we are able to bring this tantalising trio to Southport next year in a safe and secure way while guaranteeing fun for all the family. Tickets go on sale this week which will make an ideal Christmas present for the thousands of people who adore our events and sadly missed out on the opportunity this year. Entry to the Southport Food & Drink Festival remains completely free, while we have some incredible new offers and incentives for families at the Southport Air Show. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to our beautiful borough in 2021 and we look forward to seeing you very soon."

Dates for the 3 events are as follows:-

► 4 June 2021 to 6 June 2021 Southport Food and Drink Festival.

► 3 July 2021 to 4 July 2021 - Southport Air Show.

► 24 September to 26 September 2021 - British Musical Fireworks Championship.

For more information and to keep up to date on the latest events in Southport, visit:- VisitSouthport.com.

74% of UK Rats carry immunity to popular rodenticides

A new study of rats in the UK has uncovered that 74% carry a resistance gene, making them potentially immune to current pest control methods. This together with a 25% increase in the rat population due to lockdown means without a cold winter, 2021 may well be the Year of the Rat. "Its very worrying because this 'hybrid resistance' means that some common rodenticides simply wont work to control rat numbers, this together with a bumper breeding year means we are in for a heck of a ride in 2021 if we dont have a very, very cold winter." explains Jenny Rathbone from Pest Control Experts Pest.co.uk

Dr Buckle of the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, said that:- "Newly released data from the '2019 to 2020 Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use' survey of rats showed that 74% of rats in the UK carried a resistance gene to popular rodenticides, and even more worrying in some locations in the UK, 20% have two different genes, making them super resistant. Although 1 such rat was found in 2017, this is the first time in the UK that:- 'hybrid resistance' has been found on this scale, with potentially unknown difficulties for pest rodent control, This is happening because different resistance foci, that were once separate, are now merging and interbreeding."

Conditions this year have created a "perfect storm" for breeding rats with lockdown causing a 25% surge in the population of rats in the UK, with many people reporting seeing rats out in the open for the 1st time. Rathbone explains:- "This year has been very challenging for pest controllers with an increase of 25% in the population thanks to lockdown plus a shift in where rats are looking for food and shelter; the news that interbreeding is causing a resistance to the bait and poison we use to control infestations is very worrying for next year."

The population of rats in the UK is now at around 150 million, up 25% from 2019. This news is worrying for some homeowners in the UK where rat numbers have grown. A very cold, sharp winter would help to reduce numbers of rats. �The best deterrent I can recommend is removing all sources of food; bird feed is the worst, at this time of year as bird lovers over stock bird tables; this high energy food is like a Michelin starred meal to rodents.� says Rathbone.

Pest.co.uk is issuing the following advice to anyone worried about rats in their home:-

► Block up holes; Fill any gaps in brickwork, shed doors and any holes on external walls of your home including cellars and attics.

► Clear cupboards; Empty unused cupboards of bags, clothes, rags and keep them clean.

► Secure all food sources; Make sure food is not left out, tidy away any open food sources and keep worktops and floors clean of crumbs.

Prepare traps; by leaving out rat traps you can pre-empt any future infestation, however it is better to bait with official rat poison than leaving food scraps out; if in doubt get expert advice on the type of bait to use. Jenny Rathbone from Pest Control Experts Pest.Co.UK concluded that:- "Without a very cold winter, we will be entering 2021 with huge numbers of breeding rats carrying a new resistance to common pest control methods, its going to be interesting, that's for sure!"

UK trade deal with the EU is set to fail, but don't worry we can still have an 'Australia style' deal!

AS Brexit negotiations goes on and the UK's self made political emergency has unfolded as a slow motion train wreck, we remember the UKIP leader Gerard Batten's words:- "A trade deal with the EU could be sorted out in an afternoon over a cup of coffee," and Michael Gove saying:- "We'd hold all the cards' after leaving the European Union." Not forgetting Liam Fox who said:- "The free trade agreement that we will have to do with the European Union should be one of the easiest in human history..." Also, back in May 2018, Nigel Farage saying:- "I never promised it would be a huge success" on LBC radio, we question if this political venture was really thought out or just a massive con-job? However, pro-Brexitees might be right and we will leap forward with confidence? If so, please look out for flying pigs...

With so many people now in the UK hoping for the points to change and our train to move onto the main line again, having avoided being shunted into the sidings and the inevitable crash that will follow. With the clock ticking down on the Brexit transition period expiring on 31 December, the last minute stand off by the UK and EU means it is all now hanging on a 'last throw of the dice' to secure a future trade deal. Mr Johnson insists the EU's demands are unreasonable and making negotiations unnecessarily difficult. But deal or no deal, we will still see changes. Sadly, with neither side is willing to back down any more than they have, the UK is now hurtling towards a no-deal Brexit and the carnage of this will feature heavily on the political, social and economic landscape for generations to come.

If there's no agreement by the end of the year, the UK would automatically fall back on the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), or as some in Government have recently said:- "Australia style deal." There is now a strong possibility that we will go down this path, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a warning to the UK that there is a "strong possibility" the UK will fail to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

As the EU is the UK's biggest single trading partner, with 2019 accounting for:- 43% of UK exports and 51% of UK imports, this will mean a major blow to the UK economy. But it will not just affect trade, it will hit telecommunications like the Internet, transportation and more... We will then see border checks and taxes will be introduced for goods travelling between the UK and the EU.

However, what ever happens, we as a nation must get together and support what remains of British trade and commerce, even if foreign imports are cheaper. This will be very hard to achieve, when so many businesses and families are struggling just to keep the lights on. What are your thoughts on this?

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson steps aside following his arrest

MANY Americans may have to wait months for a Covid vaccine and new reports a few days ago, US media started issuing warnings about a scammers are preying on people's desperation to protect themselves, offering to help people jump the line to get the vaccine faster for a fee, among other related scams. Sadly now the UK has become a target and it has been made easier for them since 2 December 2020's announcement that the UK approved Pfizer's vaccine, this is also being used by criminal gangs to get information from victims.

Already we have had in the UK a string of fake 'Test and Trace' scams with victims reporting being asked to click on a bogus website link or being asked on the phone for credit card and/or bank details, along with National Insurance numbers, which often leads to the theft of sensitive data and sometimes money. Their are many ways to verify if you are being contacted by genuine NHS Test and Trace staff. Firstly, you will only ever be called from the number:- 03000135000. Plus, you should only be asked for the information found on the contact tracing website and on the Gov.UK site. If you do not feel comfortable talking on the phone, or suspect the call to be a scam, you can ask for an email or a text that will invite you to use the Test and Trace website and marked:- "NHS" instead. If you ask for an email, you should only ever be directed to this web address:- Contact-Tracing.PHE.Gov.UK. You should also check that the email is only come from Contact-Tracing.PHE.Gov.UK. Another way to spot a fake call is that real contact tracers will never do any of the following:-

► Ask you for details of card or bank account numbers.

► Ask you to provide or fill in social media login detail.

► Ask you to set up a pin.

► Ask you to download anything.

If you are asked for these types of information, you can report the incident to:- Action Fraud.

Sadly now we are told to keep our ears at the ready for another scam. The new scams often involve asking you to confirm information to book your vaccination slot or like in the US, offering the jab for a fee. These scams seem to follow the same pattern 'Test and Trace' scams, asking you to go through a number of questions in order to check if you can get the vaccine or instructing you to go to a fake websites or give them bank details etc.

Even more worrying is that Interpol Agency has just issued warnings to Police Forces world-wide, telling them to prepare for criminal gangs to trying to sell illicit vaccines or fake Coronavirus vaccines.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson steps aside following his arrest

THE year long Police inquiry into into the awarding of building contracts in the City:- 'Operation Aloft,' focussed on a number of property developers, and has resulted in the arrest of the Elected Mayor of the City of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. Also on Friday, 4 December 2020, 4 others, including Derek Hatton, the former Deputy Leader of the City Council were arrested. Since been released on conditional bail, Joe Anderson said that he was:- "stepping away from decision making" and would take unpaid leave while the investigation continued. He added that his arrest was a:- "painful shock" and he believed that in time, it will become clear that he has no case to answer.

In reaction to his move, the Liverpool's Green Party Leader, Tom Crone said on Twitter:- "Stand in mayor Wendy Simon must act swiftly to restore trust in local democracy. Share power across a cabinet of all the parties to see us out of this health, financial and political crisis." He added that he welcomed Mr Anderson's decision to steps aside.

But Leader Liberal Democrat Opposition, Liverpool City Council and Lib Dem Spokesperson on Health and Social Care, Richard Kemp CBE said on Twiiter:- "Mayor Anderson has made almost the right decision to step away from the City's affairs as @LiverLibDems have suggested. Relationships with the Government and the private sector would be very difficult whist the City's political leader is under a cloud."

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:- 20,964 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,787,783 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:- 516, 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:- 63,082, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 73,125.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 15,242. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,243 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,464.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,531,761 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 320,557 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

Tier 2

Liverpool City Region

► Liverpool, 24,717 confirmed cases.
71

► Halton, 4,907 confirmed cases.
21

► Knowsley, 8,024 confirmed cases. 23

► Sefton, 10,812 confirmed cases..
34

► St. Helens, 7,942 confirmed case.
32

► Wirral, 10,277 confirmed cases.

24

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 101 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, 10,221 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,507 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 15,742 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 10,354 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 9,557 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 9,494 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 50,453 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 32,475 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 15,338 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 7,587 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 13,313 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 13,865 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 11,003 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 10,779 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 9,000 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 8,566 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 17,387 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 R number is estimated at:- 0.8 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -3% to -1% as of 4 December 2020.