Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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LGA responds to NAO interim report on test and trace

RESPONDING to a National Audit Office interim report on the Government�s approach to test and trace in England, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "From the beginning of the Covid19 Pandemic and subsequent launch of NHS Test and Trace, we have consistently called for Councils and their Directors of Public Health to be able to use their considerable expertise and unparalleled experience to play their full part in the national effort to beat this virus. Environmental health, emergency planners, trading standards and public health teams are among the Council services which already had prior understanding about how to handle such outbreaks. What they needed from the outset from the national system was the necessary capacity, resources and precise data on who to reach, to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. Councils across the country have since set up more than 200 local contact tracing partnerships, complementing the national effort by successfully tracing many hard to reach cases. As we battle to get through this winter and reduce transmission of the virus, it is essential that the Government enables these successful local schemes to be built on to address the current limitations of the national test and trace system."

Self isolation time to drop from 14 days to 10 Days

A support package worth up to ₤3million that will enable coach operators to provide additional scheduled services over the Christmas travel window, on Saturday, 12 December 2020, been announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The Government is working with the coach industry, including:- National Express, megabus and Snap;� who together provide a network of coach services covering Great Britain; to ensure extra scheduled services are provided over the Christmas travel window, over 23 December to 27 December 2020, including:- Christmas Day and Boxing Day. People are reminded that however they choose to travel this Christmas, it is imperative that they plan carefully and book ahead where possible to avoid disappointment, as availability could become limited and they may not be able to travel on their preferred service. They should also make sure they regularly sanitise their hands, wear a face covering unless exempt and social distance where possible while travelling.

Alison Edwards, Head of Policy at The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, said:- "The Pandemic has made it challenging to run scheduled coach services. It is welcome to see this recognised by Government. Coaches provide a vital means of transport during the Christmas period and will be running throughout the festive period, including on Christmas Day. This funding will mean more coaches on our roads to help people travel safely and ease overall pressure on public transport."

Coach operators are currently running reduced networks due to the impact of Covid19 on demand. The funding announced today will enable scheduled coach operators to boost services to up to 75% of pre-Pandemic services; helping more people travel safely to their Christmas bubble should they wish. The move will make up to an additional 80,000 seats available.

Christmas Travel Co-ordinator Sir Peter Hendy, said:- "This is very welcome, as it gives additional and flexible COVID safe public transport capacity for the Christmas period. I will continue to assure transport provision so we can get everyone to their Christmas bubbles safely; please book early to help achieve that."

The Government has set out that people can travel to form a Christmas bubble, composed of no more than three households, between 23 December and 27 December 2020. Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on the 22 December and 28 December 2020. To minimise disruption and help people travel safely to their bubble, the Government set out a series of measures last week, including:- lifting hundreds of miles of roadworks, enhancing rail services, postponing and accelerating rail engineering works and cutting ticket charges. The new support for scheduled coach services builds on this and ensures that, should there be pressure on rail services, people will have alternative travel options.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, said:- "We have already set out important measures so journeys can run as smoothly as possible this Christmas. Today's funding announcement for the coach sector goes one step further, ensuring there are more options available for people wanting to travel in order to celebrate with loved ones and friends. We remind everyone that it is essential to plan their journey and book ahead, be considerate of other passengers and staff across our transport network, and follow the guidance, including keeping space and wearing a face covering, unless exempt, on public transport."

Chris Hardy, Managing Director, National Express Coach:- "Maintaining the UK's largest network of scheduled coach services has been challenging but we have worked hard to provide safe, low carbon, travel over the festive season. This funding will allow us to increase the frequency of some routes, introduce new direct services and add more locations on our 23 December to 27 December 2020 timetable. We will initially be doubling the mileage of the network and will further increase the number of vehicles and seats available on routes as necessary. The flexibility of coach travel means we can respond to demand and quickly and safely increase capacity with Covid Secure measures in place."

Mark Venables, Managing Director for megabus, said:- "Public transport continues to play a vital role in helping to connect communities, and that's even more important this year as people travel to reunite with their families and loved ones for Christmas. We're pleased to have worked in partnership with the UK Department for Transport to provide thousands of additional seats on our megabus coaches this Christmas, and we'll be running right throughout the festive period, including on Christmas Day. Seats are selling fast, so we're urging people to plan ahead and book their travel as soon as possible. Our megabus services offer safe, environmentally friendly, easy, hassle free and flexible travel and provide a great alternative to travelling by car."

Thomas Ableman, Founder and CEO of Snap, said:- "We're thrilled to be able to help people see their family at Christmas. Our network of incredible quality local coach operators are ready to get people to where they need to go with safety, security and a smile. We know people have really valued their local small businesses this year, so are sure they'll continue to do so by booking their travel with a local coach operator through Snap."

Self isolation time to drop from 14 days to 10 Days

FOR those living in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland their is currently forced to self isolate after coming into contact with someone infected with Coronavirus will only have to do so for 10 days instead of a fortnight in the UK. According to the UK's Department of Health this change follows new scientific evidence and will come into force next Monday, 14 December 2020. This change means that if anyone comes into with someone infected with Coronavirus and is contacted by NHS Test and Trace, before next Tuesday, 15 December 2020, they could still be allowed to meet up with others on Christmas Day. This UK wide move follow in the footsteps of Wales, who officially changed on 10 December 2020. Plus, People who return from other countries, outside the UK, which are not on the travel corridor list should also self isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days. But, travel to Channel Islands and Isle of Man The situation may change at short notice, so it is essential that you check. Furthermore, both the Channel Islands and Isle of Man have different rules for self isolation and their borders might not be opened to non-residents, from the UK mainland or anywhere else. We strongly suggest you check when appropriate, as it will save lives and money.

LGA responds to Age UK report on Care Home visiting

THE Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, has responded to an Age UK report on Care Home visiting and for in-person visiting to become the default option for the rest of the pandemic, said:- "Councils and care providers want to do all they can to ensure people can visit their loved ones in Care Homes and other care settings, safely and securely, without risk of passing on the virus. Families, residents and care staff all need to have full confidence in arrangements for testing, knowing that the risks and benefits are fully understood, alongside continued safety measures including use of PPE, social distancing and hand hygiene. It is important for Government to be open and transparent about the reliability and limitations of lateral flow tests, and the ability of Care Homes to implement these fully and safely as part of opening up visiting, in time for Christmas. We want to work with Government and providers to plan and resource these changes in a fair and reasoned way, so that families have the best possible chance to see their relatives over Christmas, but within realistic expectations of what is possible."

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:- 21,502 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,830,956 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:- 519, 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:- 64,026, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 73,125.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 16,531. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,275 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,729.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,567,128 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 323,924 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, 24,873 confirmed cases.
83

► Halton, 4,954 confirmed cases.
26

► Knowsley, 8,072 confirmed cases. 34

► Sefton, 10,859 confirmed cases..
22

► St. Helens, 8,024 confirmed case.
34

► Wirral, 10,352 confirmed cases.

44

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, 10,313 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,587 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 15,882 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 10,470 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 9,722 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 9,622 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 51,204 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 32,781 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 15,469 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 7,689 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 13,447 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 13,985 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 11,109 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 10,845 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 9,102 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 8,691 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 17,565 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:- 0.9 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -2% to 0% as of 11 December 2020. Cases are rising again, so please take care.

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 ...