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.

Mobile Testing opens for Southport's Cambridge, Dukes and Norwood Wards

FROM today, people living and working in Southport's Cambridge and Dukes and Norwood wards who don't have Coronavirus symptoms, can now get a test at the new Mobile Testing Unit, at Southport's Theatre and Convention Centre. Located on the town's Promenade, at what some refer to locally as the Floral Hall, the new Mobile Testing Unit is now open every day, from 8am to 6.30pm. This is in addition to the Unit at the former Kew park and ride site in the Norwood ward, which is also open 8am to 6.30pm, seven days a week.

People in Cambridge, Dukes and Norwood wards can use either of the dedicated Mobile Testing Units. Sefton Council has set up both sites as part of the programme to detect the South African variant of the Covid19 virus. The Council has been notified of two, apparently unrelated, historic cases of the variant. Everyone aged 16 or over within the target areas is being urged to get a test.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council's Director of Public Health said:- "People who live and work in the areas of Southport being targeted in the search for the South African variant can now use either of these dedicated Mobile Test Units, as long as they don't have Coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature, persistent new cough or a loss of taste or smell. It doesn't take long to get a test and some people may want to call in for theirs while they are out taking their daily exercise."

Local people are being advised to arrive at the test centres by 6pm to ensure they can get tested. A team will also be visiting affected area's four schools this week, before the half- term holiday. Door to door delivery and collection of home testing kits will start across parts of the Cambridge and Dukes closest to the Town Centre, from Thursday, 11 February 2021. Where possible, those delivering home testing kits will wait while people test themselves and will then take away the completed swabs so they can be sent off for analysis. Sefton Council has been reminding residents and business that anyone calling with one of these tests will carry clear identification. They will not ask for any money or request anyone's financial details and neither will they enter people's homes.

The Council has also been reminding everyone across the Borough that they should still be following national lockdown regulations to protect themselves and others. Mrs Jones added:- "We should all be staying at home and only be going out for essential purposes such as shopping for essential supplies, going to work if we can't do so from home, providing care and their daily exercise. And while we're out, we should be keeping to 2 metres' distancing, wearing masks or face coverings and washing our hands frequently."

Sefton Council you to invites local people to apply for Spacehive

SEFTON Council has launched a new round of funding to back ideas which will put local people at the heart of the efforts to create more vibrant, resilient and connected communities. The funding opportunity is part of Sefton Crowd, an initiative that aims to give anyone who lives locally with ideas about how to improve their area the opportunity to gain funding via the UK's leading civic crowd funding platform Spacehive. The aim is simple; to fund and deliver exciting and innovative ideas to improve Sefton put forward by the local community, for the local community. The Council has allocated a dedicated fund of ₤50,000 for projects taking part in the programme. So far, over 750 residents, businesses and other organisations, have come together alongside the Council to get behind 17 ideas, with over ₤90,000 raised across Sefton. From wildflower meadows to virtual music festivals, Sefton Crowd is helping people bring their ideas to life. The Woodend Community Woodland Project is just 1 example. Frank Sharp, Trustee of Friends of Maghull District said:- "In the most challenging of times, the rich, accessible, friendly collaborative support from Spacehive and the incredibly generous motivational pledges from their partners Sefton Council, Idverde and others made the seemingly impossible possible. This enabled us to exceed our ₤23,803 funding target by 14%, to reinvigorate an historic woodland entrance to Maghull, with a welcoming, accessible, safe, iconic and engaging wildlife friendly space, focusing on enhancing the environment, history, community, and legacy."

The deadline to put forward your own idea is the 21 April 2021. You can get started by simply visiting Spacehive's website and creating your own project page. Spacehive will also lead a programme of events for anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more or might want to test or discuss ideas that they would like to put forward first. Free online events are taking place on the 9 March 2021, at 2pm and 19 March 2021, at 12pm. Sefton Crowd forms part of a new approach to Civic Planning by Sefton Council which sees crowd funding as a key channel to involve communities and local organisations in regeneration. Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's cabinet member for communities and housing, said:- "We're ready to support projects that answer our call for ideas which put local people at the heart of the efforts to help Sefton recover from the Pandemic. I'm also calling on companies and foundations to join us in offering support; whether funding or in kind; to the ideas people post on the platform so we can work together to make them a real success. The more people that get involved in Sefton Crowd the more amazing places we can create together."

And it's not just the Council offering funding to local projects. The diverse Community Investment Fund could pledge up to ₤1,000. It aims to empower local people to deliver sought after projects that improve their local green space or the public realm, enhance the local environment, and boost the wellbeing of local people. If you are interested in taking part in the next funding round of Sefton Crowd, as a funder or to fund your own project, please visit:- Spacehive.Com/Novement/SeftonCrowd or email:- Info@Spacehive.Com.

Bill Esterson MP welcomes �10m Liverpool City Region fund for the "Excluded"

THE Sefton Central MP, Bill Esterson, has welcomed a new ₤10m fund to help "excluded" businesses in the Liverpool City Region. Mr Esterson has been a long time campaigner for the 3 million workers and businesses around the country that have so far received no Government support during the Covid crisis. Mr Esterson tweeted in response to the launch by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram of the ₤10m fund, on Wednesday, 10 February 2021:- "Excellent news for some of the #ExcludedUK in Merseyside and Halton. The latest fund from the combined authority is open to small and micro businesses that have not yet qualified for funding. Government should be doing this across the country. Well done Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram."

The new Local Business Support Grant will offer between:- ₤3,750 and ₤13,500 to businesses that have yet to receive support, such as those outside the business rates system, in the hospitality and leisure supply chain, self employed sole traders and licensed market traders, and any business that has lost more than 40% of income due to Covid. The fund has already provided 1,700 businesses with funding through 2 rounds. This current round is the third round.

Businesses in Sefton must apply for the money from Sefton Council. Businesses who think they may be eligible should email:- InvestSefton@Sefton.Gov.UK. Applications will close, on Friday, 26 February 2021, at 5pm. Mr Esterson said:- "This has been the hardest year on record for so many workers and businesses and the Government has been blind to the gaps in support. People are suffering and it is great news that our Labour Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram can offer this support over and above Government support schemes which have been shown to be inadequate. This fund with safeguard jobs and livelihoods."

Mr Esterson also welcomed an announcement that taxi drivers would each receive a ₤200 grant. Sefton Council said they would contact all their licensed driver direct. For more information on the grant scheme see:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.

What are your thought about Astra-Zeneca's Covid19 Vaccine?

IT has been announced that South Africa may swap or sell the Astra-Zeneca's Covid19 Vaccine after researchers at Witwatersrand University, in a very small test, found that vaccine offered "minimal protection" against mild and moderate cases of the South Africa Variant in that low risk groups, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation and endorsement of this vaccine. As we are told that the South Africa variant carries a mutation that appears to make it more contagious or easy to spread. Currently, in the #UK, this variant has affected parts of Southport. How this will affect the UK vaccination program is yet to be seen?

Since the South Africa-Variant was identified in Southport it has caused concern, and confusion within the local community. Some are now worried that this will strengthen the misinformation within fake news on Social Media and adversely affecting the UK's attempt to vaccinate as many people as possible. With proper adherence to the Public Health England's Covid19 guidelines; and given that the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine is proven to be effective against the dominant UK E484K mutation that has been found in Liverpool, along with it's ability to reduces serious illness, is it not better to get some protection for as many people as possible?

What are your thoughts and do you have any worries about the Astra-Zeneca's Covid19 Vaccine? Please let us know by emailing our News Room at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com. today or reply to our Twitter post.

Calling all Southport Business Owners...

"CAFE Conversation Southport is a free weekly gathering (online at present) where we have a lively, relaxed and interesting conversation on a variety of topics. Its every Tuesday afternoon, between 1.30 and 2.30pm. It can be a great way to meet new people, of all ages and backgrounds, and socialise safely in our strange current situation. We used to meet in a cafe in Southport before the pandemic, and who knows, perhaps we'll start meeting up properly again in a few months! People can pop in and out as they feel like it to join in with the online, face to face video chat. We usually have some new and some previous attendees each week, so it's an interesting mix of people. We are a friendly gathering with a respectful attitude, and it's usually just a small group of us, so there's plenty of opportunity to join in. If this sounds interesting to you, don't be put off if you've never been on Zoom before, it's very easy using a phone or laptop - if you can get online you can manage to use Zoom and we can help with any advice about this if needed. The weekly gathering is run by two ladies, Helen, who started the group, and another lady from Sefton Council for Voluntary Services. To find out more and ask any questions, look on Facebook at Cafe Conversation Southport, or use the Messenger app to send a message to Cafe Conversation Southport. We're looking forward to meeting some new and friendly faces next time!" says Helen Connell. To take part, please the groups Facebook Profile and a request to join them by Facebook Messenger.

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:- 13,013 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,985,161 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:-1,001 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:- 114,851, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 121,674.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 26,684. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,164 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,872.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,491,698 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 547,894 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, 45,357 confirmed cases.
162

► Halton, 11,133 confirmed cases.
32

► Knowsley, 16, 292 confirmed cases. 52

► Sefton, 22,231 confirmed cases.
78

► St. Helens, 15,434 confirmed cases.
51

► Wirral, 22,827 confirmed cases.

69

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, 16,482 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 8,447 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 22,739 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 15,361 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 18,716 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 19,579 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 88,344 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 47,569 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 20,691 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 12,098 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 18,867 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 20,588 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 18,262 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 15,895 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 14,895 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 16,293 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 25,912 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

13,058,298 519,553

Jab Stats correct as of 9 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 -2%, as of 5 February 2021.

Previous 24hr Data

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