Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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.

Increased Testing in Care Homes

CARE England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, has welcomed the extra funds from the Government to help care homes administer more Covid19 tests. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "As community transmission increases, we recognise the need for care homes to provide additional testing for residents, staff and visitors. As such, we welcome the extra ₤149 million from Government for care homes to address the additional responsibilities placed upon them in terms of testing. We hope that the money will come though as soon as possible in the new year and can dovetail with an increased roll out of a vaccine to residents and staff.� DHSC announced today ₤149m for care homes. In addition a paper on the evidence on the accuracy of lateral flow device (LFD) testing efficacy and preliminary findings from the evaluation of the DHSC care homes visitor testing pilot was as been published. Staff will now be tested 3 times a week via LFD and PCR. Martin Green continues:- "The sector is concerned about the reliability of LFD tests. Underpinning all this is of course the need for indemnity insurance in parallel with the NHS to enable the sector to operate at optimum level in this crisis.�

Bill Esterson MP backs mental health campaign for winter support

SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson has backed a campaign by the mental health charity Mind to ensure a Winter Mental Health Support Package is in place over Christmas and the new year. Mr Esterson said the Coronavirus crisis had been extremely challenging for many people and without the right support available could lead to a mental health emergency. We are told that Mr Esterson has backed a letter sent by Mind to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson which asked for the government to urgently set out how it will protect people severely affected by mental health problems throughout the next few months.

The letter asks for:-

► Covid safe face to face support from services.

► Beds in mental health Hospitals and support when they go home.

► Free flu vaccinations and physical health checks.

► Food and other essential items.

► Financial support through a flexible benefits system.

Mr Esterson met with constituent Phil Richman who raised the issue with him direct. Mr Esterson and Mr Richman talked on a Zoom call about Mr Richman's and Mind's main concerns. Mr Richman said he had seen many friends suffer during the Pandemic, and knew of several people who had committed suicide during the period. He was also concerned that on 2 November 2020, the DWP removed a safeguard which until that point had protected disabled people from having their benefits stopped if they were unable to take part in a phone assessment for Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit.

Mr Esterson said:- "It is extremely concerning that people have been taken to such a dark place during this period and that the support has not been there for them. This changes to the safeguards has left many disabled people; including many people with a mental health problem; at risk of seeing their benefits cut. This comes as the whole of the UK faces a challenging winter which will particularly impact disabled people and people with health conditions.�

In March 2020, the Department for Work and Pensions took a number of actions in response to the Covid19 Pandemic, including:-

► Cancelling face to face assessments for disability benefits, and introducing phone assessments in their place.

► Protecting those already on disability benefits from having their benefits stopped by suspending benefits reviews and reassessments for 3 months.

► Introducing a safeguard for the new phone assessments that meant anyone who missed a call, or couldn't engage with the phone assessment, wouldn't have their disability benefits removed as a penalty.

In July 2020, the Department announced that reassessments and reviews would return, meaning over the last few months many disabled people have faced the anxiety of a phone call which could result in them losing their income. Throughout this time disabled people have faced additional barriers to navigating the benefits system including:- difficulties accessing face to face advice and securing medical evidence. While the DWP have removed some safeguards, until Monday, 2 November 2020, it was still the case that if assessors couldn't reach someone for their phone assessment their approach was to try to reschedule where possible, and to keep people on their existing level of benefits if they couldn't make contact.

On Monday, 2 November 2020, the Department removed this final safeguard, meaning that, anyone who does not attend a telephone assessment for disability support from Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit will risk having their benefits reduced or cut off altogether. The burden will now be on disabled people to prove that they have a good reason for missing an appointment. If the Department does not accept their proof, then they risk seeing their benefits stopped.

Mr Esterson said:- "This change will apply to thousands of disabled people, including many people with mental health problems, and many of my constituents. Many people with mental health problems find engaging over the phone difficult or impossible. Many need support from others in order to engage with benefits agencies over the phone. It is clear that this change creates a real risk that many people with mental health problems could see their benefits cut ff, just as they are facing a new lockdown in England, and a continued reduction in other support as the NHS and other support services face increased pressures throughout the winter. I am urging the DWP to reverse course and guarantee that no disabled people will be at risk of losing their benefits this winter. This includes reinstating this safeguard which provides protection for people who can't engage with a telephone assessment. It also means going further and reintroducing the suspension of benefits reassessments, along with the suspension of sanctions and conditionality.�

Phil Richman said:- "I'm really concerned about the unusual and quite frankly unacceptable high prevalence of suicides in the Liverpool area of friends and friends of friends. Whilst the Pandemic is a contributing fActor, the outdated, under funded and inadequate mental health care system that places far too much reliance on medication rather than alternative types of therapy is really the root cause.�

Celebrities Wish NHS Staff Merry Christmas

TOP Gear Presenters Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness are just some of the famous faces who have wished staff at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust a "Merry Christmas." Video messages for the 25,000 plus colleagues who work at Hospitals across Manchester and Trafford were collected by Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, the charitable arm of the Trust, as a special festive:- "thank you" for their hard work this year. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is the largest NHS Trust in the country. Presenter and Actor James Corden, sports presenter Jamie Redknapp, Comedian Romesh Ranganathan, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester City player İlkay G�ndoğan and the Charity's own patrons including:- John Thomson, Tina O'Brien, Samia Longchambon, Jennie McAlpine and Ashley Taylor Dawson all recorded well wishes for everyone working at the Trust's family of Hospitals.

James Corden was clearly moved when he recorded his message, saying:- "I just wanted to wish a very Happy Christmas to all of the hard-working staff at the NHS Hospitals in Manchester and Trafford. I can't begin to think how difficult this year must have been for every single one of you. But please don't think it's ever taken for granted. The work that you do is vital and it means more than you will ever know.... that you're there, doing what you do. Thank you so much, for this year, and all of the years to come. And I hope you have a very, very Happy Christmas. Lots of love."

The stars of Top Gear recorded their message while on set filming the new series. Paddy McGuinness says:- "We wanted to wish you all a wonderful and Merry Christmas. Thank you so much to all the NHS staff in Manchester and the NHS staff all across the UK. You are amazing! Merry Christmas everybody." To which Freddie Flintoff, who is holding the camera, jokes:- "That pretty much covers it, cheers Pad..... that's Chris Harris that 1."

John Thomson, who has been a supporter of the Charity since it was 1st created to help fund the building of the new children's Hospital, donned a festive hat and sat by his Christmas tree to record his message. He said:- "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our NHS workers in Manchester and Trafford. Well done this year. What a year it's been. And thank you, once again, for all the tremendous work you all do, no matter what level you're at. Thank you so much for your hard work this year and every year. I'm very proud to have these wonderful Hospitals on my doorstep. So thank you, thank you, thank you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope 2021 is a good 'un!"

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan recorded his message by opening with a big:- "thank you" to all the NHS teams in Manchester and Trafford. He goes on to say:- "It's been a horrible year for everybody, and you've gone through the same year as we have, but on top of that you've been helping everyone else to get through it. So thank you so much for all of your hard work. We don't take it for granted."

Other people who contributed Christmas messages to Manchester Foundation Trust Charity's video include: Manchester United Women's Head Coach Casey Stoney, Actor Chris Bisson, musician and DJ Clint Boon, Manchester City Women's Head Coach Gareth Taylor, Street Dancer George Sampson, sports presenter Hugh Ferris, Actor Ian Puleston Davies, Actors Jason Done and Joe Gill, England Sricket Captain Joe Root and Vice Captain Jos Buttler, singers Max and Harvey, Strictly Come Dancing contestant and Singer Max George, Sports Commentator and former cricketer Michael Vaughan, Radio DJ Mike Toolan, Children's TV Presenter Olivia Birchenough, Good Morning Britain Presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, Actress Sarah Jayne Dunn, Actor Simon Gregson, Comedian Tom Davis and Manchester based Poet Tony Walsh.

The video is being shared on Wednesday, 23 December 2020, across the Charity's social media channels and on internal emails to the staff, who are all being encouraged to enjoy the messages and share the video with their colleagues and friends.

Tanya Hamid, Interim Director of Charity, at Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, said:- "The Charities team, like many of us across the North West and beyond, appreciate just how hard our colleagues in the Trust have worked this year, and every year. It felt only right that we called upon our patrons and celebrity supporters to help us wish them a Merry Christmas as a thank you for all their efforts during the Covid Pandemic. We hope that this special video will bring a few smiles to our colleagues during the festive period and lets them know how truly appreciative the whole nation is of their wonderful contributions in 2020."

If you'd like to support the Hospitals in Manchester Foundation Trust's family, there is still time to make a Christmas donation. Visit:- MFTCharityChristmas.Org.UK to make a donation and view the video.

This website enables you to make a donation to any of the NHS Manchester Hospitals in the Charity's family:- Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University Dental Hospital, Withington Community Hospital, Trafford General Hospital and Altrincham Hospital.

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:- 36,804 cases and the total number now stand at:- 2,110,314 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:- 691, 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:- 68,307, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 79,349.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 18,943. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,364 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,875.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,804,923 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 341,892 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, 25,928 confirmed cases.
173

► Halton, 5,271 confirmed cases.
59

► Knowsley, 8,361 confirmed cases. 35

► Sefton, 11,315 confirmed cases.
63

► St. Helens, 8,381 confirmed case.
41

► Wirral, 10,961 confirmed cases.

87

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, 10,972 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,926 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 16,547 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 11,067 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 10,850 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 10,669 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 55,624 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 34,412 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 16,179 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 8,244 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 14,166 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 14,728 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 11,772 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 11,298 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 9,712 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 9,440 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 18,355 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:- 1.1 to 1.2 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- +1% to +4%, as of 18 December 2020. . Cases are rising fast 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 ...