Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Metro Mayor Champions Mental Health in the Workplace

THE Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, is championing a range of resources aimed at helping employers support the mental health and wellbeing of their employees, during the Covid19 Pandemic and beyond. The Combined Authority is running a seminar with the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) on mental health in the workplace, on Thursday, 21 January 2021, and is signposting from its website to the CIPD mental health toolkit for employers, as well as a range of other existing resources, including training from the Zero Suicide Alliance. Employers will be able to access discounted Mental Health First Aid Training via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's Be More Skills Funding programme. More information can be found from the Growth Platform's Skills Brokerage Service.

Speaking about the initiative, Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "This past year has been an exceptionally difficult for all of us and, while there has been an obvious focus on people's physical health, this Pandemic has put an enormous strain on mental health too. I would really encourage employers to take advantage of the resources available to help improve the wellbeing of staff. A healthier, happier workforce is a more productive workforce too. I want everybody to know that it's okay to be not okay. You are not alone. There is support out there and I hope that by raising awareness more people feel comfortable coming forward and getting the support they need."

Acting Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Simon, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Employment, Education and Skills, said:- "The role of employers in promoting mental wellbeing among their employees has always been crucial but has perhaps become even more so during the Covid19 Pandemic. The key message we have for employers is that there are resources easily available out there that can help you to support the mental health and wellbeing of your employees. That's not just good for them, it is good for you and your business. In these difficult times it is imperative that we all take time to look out for one another and that applies to the workplace as much as anywhere else."

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority / CIPD Mental Health in the Workplace seminar will take place on Thursday, 21 January 2021, at 4pm. To book your place, visit:- Eventbrite.Co.UK.

Farmers and walkers urged to work together

WALKERS and farmers must work together to avoid damage to crops and wildlife habitats; so use a pair of wellies and stick to the footpaths, says rural body. Crops are being damaged nationwide as a result of walkers not keeping to public footpaths, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has said. With the nation still in lockdown, many people are finding solace in taking a walk in the countryside; but farmers across the country are reporting increasing damage to crops and wildlife habitats caused by walkers not following the Countryside Code.

Mark Bridgeman, President of the CLA, said:- "It is perfectly natural, in times such as these, for people to want to enjoy the countryside. They are genuinely welcome and we encourage people to enjoy the thousands of miles of footpaths available to them. But we need to work together to ensure the public can have an enjoyable time while also protecting farmland, animals and wildlife. Land is very wet at the moment and likely to get worse before the Spring, with heavy rain forecast, and with so many walkers enjoying the countryside, public footpaths have become very muddy. Unfortunately, that means many are circumnavigating the mud and walking over planted crops, damaging food crops and impacting farmers' businesses. Our advice is to use a decent pair of wellies; or walking boots; and stick to the route of the footpath. It's always best when we work together. Farmers are working hard to feed the nation so let's help them by sticking to the public right of way and following the Countryside Code."

There are 150,000 miles of public footpaths in Great Britain, much of which is maintained by landowners and farmers across the country for the public's benefit. Members of the CLA, which represents 30,000 rural businesses across England and Wales, also warned of an increasing problem with dog attacks on livestock, with several reports of sheep being killed by dogs that had been let off their leads on open farmland.

Southport Councillor is leading a campaign to secure specialist toilet facilities for disabled people

WE are told that a Sefton Councillor, Sir Ron Watson, wants to secure the provision of the facilities to help residents in Sefton who have either lost limbs, or who have been born with such a disability. He believes it would make life bearable and give the dignity to people that they deserve. The Southport Conservative Dukes Ward Councillor will put forward his plea in a motion at the Sefton full Council meeting on Thursday, 21 January 2021. It will be seconded by Sefton Conservative Leader Cllr Tony Brough.

Cllr Sir Ron Watson said:- "Both Sefton Council and its residents are dealing with an extremely difficult financial situation as a result of Covid19. There is a Disabled Facilities Grant available for a group of Sefton's residents, who currently do not receive any level of specialist help and who don't access the grant because it is not widely recognised that it is in existence. Sefton does not appear to have a list of individuals who may benefit from elements of the help available. There are individuals who live in the borough who have either lost limbs or who were born with such a disability. There is currently available on the market for what is described in many advertisements as a �luxury' WC facility where the actual toilet has the facility to project warm water and this is then followed by hot / warm air. The degree of self dignity that such a facility would provide for those who have lost their arms is self evident and could have a significant bearing on both their physical and mental health. Whilst retail prices are quoted it might be possible to arrange a contract where the facility could be provided at a very significant discount."

Cllr Sir Ron Watson will ask the Council to request that:- "The Cabinet Members responsible for the budget give consideration of this issue into their budget deliberations in a proactive and sympathetic manner."

Closed Businesses Lockdown Payments for the Sefton area

THIS report is only relevant to businesses that pay business rates direct to Sefton Council, but other areas within England will be the same, but using their websites. We are told that in Sefton, InvestSefton will notify businesses when other grant schemes targeted at businesses who do not pay business rates direct to Sefton Council become available, in due course.

I your businesses is included in the list of those ordered to close during the current COVID19 National Lockdown, and are liable for Business Rates, you may be eligible for a support payment. The full eligibility criteria can be found online along with details of the amount you may receive and how to apply. The window for applications will be open by 21 January 2021

Businesses that have previously applied for and received the Local Restrictions Support Grant for any period after 14 October 2020 will NOT need to submit a further application, as they be issued a further payment automatically. Payments will commence by 22 January 2021 and are expected to be completed by 29 January 2021. Payments are expected to take 2 to 3 days from issue before appearing in nominated bank accounts.

Applications from businesses who have not previously received support will be verified for eligibility with payments expected to be issued by 17 February 2021. Applications must be made online:- Ssefton.Gov.UK and must be submitted no later than 31 March 2021. Any applications submitted after that, we are told, will not be eligible to receive a grant.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

TODAY marks a grim milestone, with it becoming the highest level of recorded Covid19 Deaths on a single day since the outbreak began in the UK. It also means January 2021 now has 4 of the 5 worst days for deaths in the Pandemic within the UK, following many other Pandemic trends, that see the 2nd wave being worse than the 1st wave. But overall UK infection rates have in fact seen a slow trend downwards. The total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, over the last 24 hours has risen by:- 33,355 cases and the total UK number stands at:- 3,466,849. This staggering cumulative number includes tests carried out by commercial NHS 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:-1,610, within 28 days of a 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:- 91,470, within 28 days of a positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 89,243.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 37,946. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,916 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 3,634.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,022,609 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 479,569 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, 39,581 confirmed cases.
408

► Halton, 9,451 confirmed cases.
124

► Knowsley, 13,836 confirmed cases. 203

► Sefton, 18,983 confirmed cases.
214

► St. Helens, 12,731 confirmed cases.
152

► Wirral, 19,663 confirmed cases.

275

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, 14,528 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 7,428 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 20,073 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 13,880 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 16,280 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 16,820 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 76,807 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 42,491 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 18,931 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 10,324 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 17,094 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 18,268 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 15,968 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 14,068 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 13,235 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 14,201 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 23,203 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

4,266,577 456,866

Jab Stats correct as of 18 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.