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Flat fire fatality in Litherland

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) attended a house fire, in Bowland Drive, Litherland on Saturday, 9 January, 2021. Sadly, we can confirm that the incident has resulted in the death of a 37 year old woman. MFRS said:- "Crews were alerted at 4.33am and on the scene at 4.39am. Merseyside Police and the North West Ambulance Service also attended the incident. On arrival firefighters discovered a fire in the bedroom of the 1st floor flat. 3 fire engines attended and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using high pressure hose reels."

Gary Oakford, Area Manager for Prevention at MFRS, said:- "On arrival, fire crews found a fire in the bedroom of the 1st floor flat. Firefighters quickly entered the property and located the woman inside the bedroom. Crews brought the woman outside and began performing CPR, but she was sadly pronounced dead shortly later by paramedics on scene. The cause and circumstances have been investigated by Merseyside Police and our Incident Investigation Team. The initial investigation indicates that the fire started accidentally and was caused by discarded smoker's materials. This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this time. MFRS Prevention staff are planning follow up activity in the area next week, in order to provide reassurance to the local community."

The woman's next of kin have been informed by Merseyside Police. For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms in your home, please call:- 08007315958.

Marine attracts international attention following Tottenham Hotspurs match

THE last match Marine AFC played was NPL - North West Division match game was played on 26 December 2020 before playing Tottenham Hotspur, on 10 January 2020, at the Marine's home ground, the Marine Travel Arena, in Crosby. This fact along with the issues the club had over training, due to the pandemic, along with the teams level within the sport, meant this was a David and Goliath match from the very start. Add to that the fact unlike Tottenham Hotspur, who have professional, full time players, some of them international, Marine FC are all semi-professional and have other jobs, ranging from teaching at a local School to working at Sainsbury's, but they still came close to getting the ball in the net. The game was televised on BBC and even picked up in headlines internationally. Despite valiant efforts by the local side, Tottenham won 5 nill. But, what a match.

Manager Neil Young spoke to @TomClarke40 about our fantastic @EmiratesFACup run: #COYM pic.twitter.com/0pnWXVsQ9e
— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) January 10, 2021

The players even got Tottenham taking to Twitter saying:- "Well done lads, very professional performance. Congrats to Marine AFC on a great cup run." With grinning faces they also said that they had:- "Good vibes only" from everyone at the game and that it was:- "A fantastic experience...." Sadly, an important end of match tradition could not take place at this historic game, and as a result Tottenham Hotspur said:- "The players are unable to swap shirts after the game due to COVID protocols, so we've provided Marine AFC with a whole set of fresh match shirts as a souvenir of today's historic match..." Again adding:- "Thumbs up to all the team."

Up to now Marine is notable for having the longest serving manager in post-war English football. Roly Howard occupied the post from 1972 to 2005 and a total of 1,975 games, but now it is also notable for playing this historic Emirates FA Cup game, as well as it being played within a Worldwide Pandemic. Well done to all involved in this Match that has given the area a much needed boost, at such a low point. It would have been amazing id the bookies 33 to 1 odds had been smashed, but the lads can hold their heads high. They are true heroes and fantastic ambassadors for all levels of the sport and especially for both Crosby and Merseyside!

On Twitter following Full Time, Marine said the virtual attendance was:- 30,697 (tickets) and said it was:- "Absolutely fantastic support. Thank you, football world and Spurs Official. We will never forget it."

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:- 619,941 cases and the total number now stand at:- 56,003,851 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:- 563, 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:- 81,431, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 82,624.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 4,066. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,098 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 32,294.

In England, there are a total of:- 2,664,129 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 430,786 confirmed cases.

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

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

Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 34,426 confirmed cases.
907

► Halton, 8,014 confirmed cases.
270

► Knowsley, 11,642 confirmed cases. 335

► Sefton, 16,120 confirmed cases.
413

► St. Helens, 10,879 confirmed cases.
287

► Wirral, 16,618 16,056 confirmed cases.

562

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, 13,262 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 6,884 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 18,652 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 12,891 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 14,702 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 14,922 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 68,962 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 39,323 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 18,000 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 9,490 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 16,083 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 16,970 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 14,399 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 13,025 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 12,066 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 12,663 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 21,508 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

1,296,432 21,313

Jab Stats correct as of 3 January 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:- 1 to 1.4 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- 0% to +6%, as of 8 January 2021.