Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Unions Tell Swann and Mallon to Prioritise Vaccinating Essential Transport Staff

TRANSPORT and travel unions TSSA, SIPTU, and GMB, on Thursday, 14 January 2021, written to Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon and Health Minister Robin Swann calling on them to ensure essential frontline transport workers are prioritised for vaccination against Coronavirus. The letter, which is signed by TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes, GMB Regional Organiser Peter Macklin, and SIPTU Industrial Organiser NI Niall McNally says that frontline transport workers have:- "put their lives on the line" during the Pandemic and request that all essential transport workers are next in line for vaccination after vulnerable groups and healthcare workers. The unions also argue that public transport workers are essential to the vaccination programme, allowing vaccination staff and patients to travel to their appointments.

Manuel Cortes, TSSA General Secretary, said:- "With covid case numbers rising sharply there is a race to get people vaccinated. It is absolutely right that vulnerable groups and healthcare and care workers are 1st in line for vaccination. After that, we need to see essential transport staff getting the lifesaving vaccinations. From getting key workers to Hospitals and moving vital supplies around the country, our transport key workers have kept the country moving through the Pandemic. Many have lost their lives to the virus, but they bravely continue to serve during this time of crisis. Now for our vaccination programme to be successful it is essential that healthcare staff, and those receiving vaccinations, can rely on public transport to get them there. We must vaccinate transport workers as the next priority and I'm calling on Robin Swann and Nicola Mallon to back this important step to protect our transport network."

Peter Macklin, GMB Regional Organiser said:- "Transport workers provided and continue to provide a lifeline for all frontline workers during the current Pandemic. Their dedication and selflessness has been vital in sustaining the health service and other key industries. I believe it is imperative that transport workers, along with other frontline workers, are given priority in the vaccination programme, after the vulnerable people and healthcare workers have been protected. This is necessary to allow the invaluable service they provide to be delivered effectively."

Niall McNally, SIPTU Industrial Organiser NI said:- "As we face into a public health emergency over the coming month, more now than ever the support of our health care workers and their ability to get to work is paramount. Key to this will be their ability to reach their workplace in a safe environment via public transport. Public transport workers have played a central role in ensuring all frontline workers reach their workplace safely in the teeth of the Pandemic, ensuring that everything from health care provision to food supply is maintained. We therefore call on the Minister for Health, Robin Swann, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, to prioritise transport workers for vaccination, once health workers and vulnerable people are protected."

Merseyside Police and PCC welcome launch of Ask for ANI scheme

MERSEYSIDE Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy has joined with the Force to welcome the launch of a new codeword scheme which will give victims of domestic abuse a chance to ask for help from the safety of their local pharmacy.

'Ask for ANI' has been created to help victims get emergency support in a safe and discreet way by using the codeword:- 'ANI' (Assistance Needed Immediately) in their community pharmacy. This alerts staff and means that the victim needs an emergency police response or needs help to contact a domestic abuse specialist support service.

Participating pharmacies will display posters in their window and around the shop to let customers know that they can approach a member of staff to seek help.

When a victim uses the codeword or asks for help, the member of staff will ask them to accompany them to a consultation room. They will then check whether the victim is in danger and want the police to be called. If so, they will be given a phone to dial:- 999 or they will make the call on the victim's behalf.

Alternatively, if the victim does not need emergency help at that time, the staff member will assist them to contact a national domestic abuse helpline or local support service. They may also contact the police on the non-emergency:- 101 number.

The scheme is voluntary and all participating pharmacies, including all Boots stores, will display posters to show victims they can assist.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "This is a very welcome and simple idea which has the ability to make a huge difference for people who can be at great risk. I want those suffering from domestic abuse to know they are not alone and that help and support is available. I will be working with my community safety partners to raise awareness of the �Ask for ANI' scheme to ensure victims know they can use the codeword to access emergency support. I will also be encouraging as many local pharmacies to join this initiative as possible and my thanks go to all the pharmacies who have already signed up to participate."

Pharmacies are safe environments and, especially at the moment when other places of shelter are closed, pharmacies can give people who are at risk a simple way to get vital support.

Detective Chief Inspector Bev Hyland from Merseyside's Police's Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said:- "Merseyside Police fully supports the Ask for ANI scheme, and our staff are fully briefed and will respond to any calls received. This scheme is particularly welcomed, at a time when victims of domestic abuse may feel isolated and unable to reach out for help. I would like to reiterate that Merseyside Police will respond to all incidents of domestic abuse, and victims will be dealt with in a sensitive manner. There is also support available to victims through domestic abuse support services across Merseyside, who have still been operating throughout lockdown. Victims should not suffer in silence, and I am hoping the Ask for ANI scheme, will provide another way in which victims of domestic abuse can seek help."

If you are in immediate danger, always call:- 999.

If you ring:- 999 and are not in a safe position to speak to then cough or tap the phone and press 55, when prompted. This will alert the operator that you need assistance.

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:- 48,682 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,260,258 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:- 1,248, 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:- 86,015, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 89,243.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 36,797. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,626. Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 4,256.

In England, there are a total of:- 2,834,341 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 455,182 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, 37,052 confirmed cases.
696

► Halton, 8,759 confirmed cases.
189

► Knowsley, 12,715 confirmed cases. 243

► Sefton, 17,656 confirmed cases.
426

► St. Helens, 11,783 confirmed cases.
267

► Wirral, 18,194 confirmed cases.

409

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, 13,905 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 7,154 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 19,360 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 13,407 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 15,507 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 15,843 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 72,752 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 40,829 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 18,462 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 9,915 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 16,545 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 17,617 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 15,201 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 13,544 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 12,687 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 13,493 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 22,351 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

2,918,252 437,977

Jab Stats correct as of 12 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.