Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

Liverpool City Region Covid19 Updates
... and Important Emergency Notices ...

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.

This page last updated on 18 January 2021

Bill Esterson MP puts questions to Home Secretary after 400,000 criminal data records are 'lost'

THE Sefton Central, Bill Esterson MP, calls on Home Secretary to give assurances for residents' safety after 400,000 criminal data records are 'lost' by the Home Office. Bill Esterson MP says the deletion of 400,000 Police records was:- "incredibly serious" and risked endangering Merseyside residents. Mr Esterson has called on the Home Secretary to provide information about how the deletion fiasco could impact Sefton Central. Mr Esterson has written to the Conservative Home Secretary Priti Patel with a number of key questions, including how many people have been affected in Sefton Central, what work is being done with Police to identify gaps in the system and what the impact will be on vital safeguarding issues, such as domestic abuse and stalking. It has been reported that up to 400,000 fingerprint, DNA and arrest history records held on the Police National Computer were accidentally deleted during a routine upgrade.

Mr Esterson wrote:- "This is incredibly serious and I am deeply concerned about the impact this will have on the ability to keep people safe in Sefton Central. There are grave issues posed by this situation and as a result, a number of vital questions that must be answered urgently."

The Home Secretary was asked to provide information including:-

► How many pieces of data have been deleted that relate to people or incidents that occurred in Sefton Central, the borough of Sefton and the Merseyside Police Force area?

► How many potential ongoing investigations in Sefton Central have been affected?

► What contact has been made with the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police to ensure they are able to identify where gaps in data have occurred and any mitigations?

► What specific provisions have been made for the impact this data breach will have on safeguarding arrangements in Sefton borough and Sefton Central constituency? I know dealing with issues like harassment, stalking and domestic abuse often relies on good Police record keeping, so issues like these are clearly at risk of being undermined.

► What contact has been made to Sefton MBC to assess impact on joint working arrangements with Police, including both child protection and anti violent extremism?

Mr Esterson wrote:- "It seems inevitable that as a result of this fiasco criminals will escape punishment, victims will miss out on justice and our community will be less safe. It is also unacceptable that the hard work and dedication of frontline Police officers has been undermined by Home Office incompetence on your watch. The very least we can expect now are clear answers to these serious issues and a thorough action plan."

Mr Esterson added:- "I look forward to the Home Secretary's urgent response and a clear assessment of the impact serious failings made on her watch have had on Sefton Central. This fiasco is incredibly serious and the Conservative Government's incompetence is putting the safety of people at risk. Unfortunately, it seems inevitable that as a result of this mess criminals will escape punishment, victims will miss out on justice and our community will be less safe."

**Are the Vaccination letters:- "confusing" for older people who need their jab?**

THE Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson has criticised the arrangements for the roll out of the Coronavirus Vaccine, saying his constituents should not have to travel up to 45 minutes to St Helens for a jab. Bill Esterson MP said letters that had been sent to elderly constituents had confused many people and left them angry at the prospect of a 90 minute round trip to St Helens, when there are Vaccine sites locally at:- Maghull, Bootle, Ainsdale and Southport and when Pharmacies and GP Surgeries are also available for vaccinations.

Mr Esterson has been informed that if residents do not wish to travel to the mass vaccination site at:- St Helens Ruby Club Stadium, which opened as a Vaccine Site, on Monday, 19 January 2021, they are able to wait until their GP contacts them with an appointment, at a Local Centre. But residents have told Mr Esterson the letter is confusing, gives conflicting instructions and gives the impression that residents have to go to St Helens if they want the vaccination.

Mr Esterson said:- "I'm very worried to hear about over 80's receiving letters about having to go to St Helens from Formby, Crosby, Maghull and elsewhere across Sefton. They should be hearing from their GP about something much closer to home. The Government needs to clear up this mess over these vaccination letters which are causing such upset. People are confused because they're getting two sets of instructions about where to go for a Vaccine. Many people cannot drive 30 or 45 minutes for a Vaccine and the information should be clear and simple with 1 option. That option has to be that people will get a call very soon from their GP about having the Vaccine at a local site. There are thousands of Vaccines being administered each week now within Sefton so there is no need for people to go to a mass vaccination site unless they are 100% comfortable to do so. I met with the clinical commissioning group (CCG) last week and was informed that they are on course to vaccinate all the top 4 priority groups in Sefton, by 15 February 2021, without anyone having to travel outside of the borough. The Government needs to sort this out because this confusion among our most vulnerable residents is unacceptable, and I will be pressing Health Ministers to do exactly that."

Merseyside Police Federation Charitable Trust donates ₤1,000 to local food banks

MERSEYSIDE Police Federation Charitable Trust has donated ₤1,000 each to six food banks in the area to support people in need in the community. Food Banks in:- North Liverpool, South Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, South Sefton and Micah Food Banks have all benefited from Charitable donations.

Tony Fairclough, Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation. said:- "We are delighted to be able to provide these donations and support these local food banks across the Merseyside area at this time. They are offering a much needed service to the local community and we hope that these donations go in some way to assist those most in need."

According to the Independent Food Aid Network, independent food banks operating across the UK have continued to see unprecedented increases in need for emergency food parcels.

83 independent food banks (of a total of at least 961 UK wide) distributed a total of 354,613 emergency food parcels from February to November 2020 compared to 168,560 emergency food parcels from February to November 2019; a rise of 110%.

The Merseyside Police Federation Charitable Trust is a registered charity with the aim of supporting individuals residing in the Merseyside area who are victims of crime and/or violence or who have suffered some kind of loss, hardship or distress.

The Trust has also been able to support a wide range and number of community groups over the years. You can find out more about the Charity here.

Its Patron is Merseyside Police Chief Constable Andy Cooke.

2 weekend closures for M6 in Cheshire start on Friday

DRIVERS in Cheshire are being reminded the M6 Motorway is set to be closed, at Knutsford, over the next 2 weekends, as the ₤43 million Junction 19 upgrade reaches an important milestone. A decision on whether this weekend's closure will go ahead will be made on Wednesday evening (20 January 2021) after a check on the weather forecast. Highways England is constructing a bridge over the M6 to improve traffic flow between the Motorway and the A556 and reduce congestion around the Junction Roundabout. The 2 Friday night to Monday morning weekend closures; beginning on Friday, 22 January 2021 and again on Friday, 29 January 2021, will see 36 huge, 90 tonne bridge beams craned into place over the Northbound and Southbound carriageways.

Closure details for the 2 weekend closures are as follows:-

► Friday, 22 January 2021 (9pm) to Saturday, 23 January 2021 (6am) - M6 closed in both directions between Junction 18, at Holmes Chapel and Junction 20 with the M56, at Lymm Interchange.

► Saturday, 23 January 2021 (6am) to Sunday, 24 January 2021 (9pm) - M6 closed in both directions, at Junction 19 only.

► Sunday, 24 January 2021 (9pm) to Monday, 25 January 2021 (6am) - M6 closed in both directions between Junction 18, at Holmes Chapel and Junction 20 with the M56 at Lymm Interchange.

► The 2nd weekend closure between 9pm, on Friday, 29 January 2021 and 6am, on Monday, 1 February 2021 will follow the same timings and pattern.

Diversions will be in operation across both weekends. When the Motorway is closed between Junction 18 and Junction 20 the diversion will run from Junction 18 of the M6, at Holmes Chapel, via the A54 through Middlewich and Winsford and then the A49 up to Junction 10 of the M56, at Stretton. When the Motorway is closed at Junction 19 only a simple:- 'up and over' diversion will be in place, allowing drivers, on both the Southbound and Northbound M6, arriving at Junction 19, to leave and immediately rejoin the Motorway using the exit and entry slip roads. To allow the diversion to operate smoothly there will no access, at the Junction to or from the A556 Chester Road, or A556 Knutsford to Bowdon bypass.

Highways England is advising drivers making essential journeys during the lockdown to plan journeys carefully and allow extra time if they need to use the M6 route. The latest Government travel advice can be found at:- Gov.UK. Longer distance drivers heading beyond Cheshire are being urged to choose alternative Motorway routes away from this part of the M6. The new bridge is set to open in the summer 2021.

3 SMART Coronavirus Test Sites to open in Sefton

FROM Wednesday, 20 January 2021, Sefton Council is extending the opening hours of its 3 SMART Coronavirus Test Sites to 8am to 8pm. SMART Coronavirus testing for people with NO symptoms is now focused on key workers and those with caring commitments. The longer opening hours will make it easier for those people to attend the walk through sites, at Bootle Leisure Centre, Splash World in Southport and Aintree Racecourse. Aimed to protect those at highest risk, SMART testing will find people who do not have symptoms, but are infected by the virus. This will help prevent them unknowingly passing it on which will, in turn, reduce transmission across the local community. People who should be attending for tests and regular re-tests include:- taxi drivers and public transport workers, essential retail workers, paid or unpaid carers, delivery drivers, childcare providers, people in the blue light services, Pharmacists and postal workers. It is recommended that people who do have to continue mixing with others during lockdown, and do not have symptoms, get a SMART test around twice a week. The Lateral Flow Tests used can provide a result in as little as 30 minutes. People wanting a test can check on the live Find a Test map to see if the sites are busy and how long you might have to wait.

Sefton Council Leader, Cllr Ian Maher said:- "While it is important that the majority of us follow the Government's regulations by staying at home, we must also recognise the important work of those people across our Borough who are still going out to work and providing vital services, supporting our local communities and protecting the most vulnerable. It is only right then that we do what we can to support those people and making it easier for them to go for a SMART test is just one way of achieving that."

Opening at 8am will involve some Test Center staff arriving an hour earlier, at 7am, so they can be tested before starting work. Part of the preparations meant ensuring those who use public transport could get there on time and that those working until 8pm can get home after they finish. Cllr Ian Maher added:- "While people in these groups are out working in these vital roles, it's important that the rest of us stay at home, that we don't mix with others outside our household or bubble, and that we only go out for local exercise and to shop for essentials. And this means we won't need a SMART test unless there are specific circumstances."

While SMART testing is for people who do not have symptoms, anyone who develops a high temperature, a new continuous cough or who loses their sense of taste or smell, should immediately arrange to get a Coronavirus test by visiting:- NHS.UK/Coronavirus or calling:- 119.

Storm Christophe has been named

THE latest run of bad weather has been named Storm Christophe, by the UK's Met Office. We are warned that this storm will bring multiple hazards to the UK this week, initially heavy rain and flood warnings have been issued. Please check the local forecasts for updates.

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:- 37,535 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,433,494 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:- 599, 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:- 89,860, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 89,243.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 37,475. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,789 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 3,984.

In England, there are a total of:- 2,992,238 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 475,558 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, 39,173 confirmed cases.
491

► Halton, 9,327 confirmed cases.
124

► Knowsley, 13,633 confirmed cases. 241

► Sefton, 18,769 confirmed cases.
238

► St. Helens, 12,579 confirmed cases.
206

► Wirral, 19,388 confirmed cases.

243

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, 14,407 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 7,379 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 19,949 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 13,791 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 16,156 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 16,620 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 76,182 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 42,228 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 18,863 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 10,324 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 16,984 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 18,171 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 15,855 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 13,983 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 13,134 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 14,084 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 23,084 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

4,062,501 452,301

Jab Stats correct as of 17 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:- 1.2 to 1.3 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- +2% to +5%, as of 15 January 2021.

Previous 24hr Data

Monthly Sponsor:- Holistic Realignment

Your local, fully qualified sports therapist. Call now on:- 07870382109 to book an appointment.

PLEASE ALSO SEE OUR WEEKLY EDITION...

Published weekly, as normal...
Click here to see it!

Help us stay online...
Become a Patron!

External links are selected and reviewed when the page is published. However we are not responsible for the content of external websites and links might change. If you find a problem, please report it to us.

Tweets by SouthportReport

Tweets by FormbyReport