Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Tier 2 move cautiously welcomed by City leaders

MAYOR Joe Anderson has cautiously welcomed the Government's decision to place Liverpool and the wider City Region in tier 2 of Coronavirus restrictions, from Wednesday, 2 December 2020. It becomes the 1st area in the country to have moved in to and out of Tier 3. The move follows a fall in the number of Covid 19 cases in the City, which currently stand at less than 150 cases per 100,000 population; down from a peak of 680 per 100,000 in mid-October. The Mayor says the drop is down to a combination of people following the rules, getting tested and self isolating when required to do so, as well as good contact tracing measures and Covid Safe measures in businesses. Case numbers are currently � the 300 per 100,000 people that there were when Liverpool began its repeat testing programme for people without symptoms; known as mass asymptomatic serial testing; during the 1st weekend of November 2020.

The pilot has seen around 35 walk up testing centres across the City, as well as in Secondary Schools and at University sites, staffed by Ministry of Defence personnel, and around 200,000 people have been tested. However, the Mayor warned that although the virus is in remission in the City there is no room for complacency. Residents are being urged to continue being tested regularly and, even if they are negative, follow all the:- 'hands space face' guidance, including:- social distancing, wearing face coverings in shops and other enclosed spaces, washing hands regularly and not mixing households indoors.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "If someone had told me 6 weeks ago Liverpool would be a Tier 2 City by the start of December, I'd have seen that as a great result, and it is down to the fantastic support we have received from our residents. Back then, Covid19 was spiralling out of control and our City's Hospitals were close to breaking point. We needed to get a grip; and quickly. That's why we embraced Tier 3 restrictions and worked fast to deliver the testing pilot, bringing in the army to help us deliver an efficient service. Thanks to that twin track approach, today those trends are in full reverse. We have the virus where we want it; limited, contained and falling. However, this hard won battle to be a Tier 2 City is not the end. Covid19 can bounce back, as it did so devastatingly after the summer holidays. So while I welcome the fact people can now meet in a group of 6 outside their home, can go for a meal, visit the cinema, shop, take up sport again and so on; we must remain vigilant and ensure this tentative step back to semi normality is sustained. Not just for Christmas, but throughout 2021 until the vaccines deliver the promising results their trials have revealed."

The move down to Tier 2 means that:-

► Pubs and restaurants serving substantial food will be able to open up to 11pm (last orders at 10pm) - alcohol will only be served with a meal.

► Outdoor and indoor performances/shows, spectator sports and business events can resume (up to 50% capacity or maximum of 2,000 outdoors/1,000 indoors)

► Spectator sport and business events can take place (up to 50% capacity or maximum of 2,000 outdoors/1,000 indoors)

► Indoor entertainment venues can open.

► Up to 6 people can meet outdoors.

► Personal care, including hairdressers and barbers, is allowed.

More details can be found at:- www.Liverpool.Gov.UK/Coronavirus.

Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton, said:- "Thank you to all of those many, many thousands of residents who have found time in their day to go and get tested; it is very much appreciated. You have helped protect yourself, your loved ones, and the City, and have directly contributed to us getting to where we are today. But it is one thing driving the virus out of the City; and another altogether keeping it out. More than 700 people have died in our hospitals as a result of Covid this year, and each case leaves behind scores of devastated friends and relatives, and many others have been left with debilitating after effects through Long Covid. We must never lose sight that this is a killer virus. So we are now on a mission to keep levels low in our City up to and beyond Christmas, through the cold winter months and in to spring; because the last thing any of us want is a return to a National Lockdown, or local restrictions, in January or February. That means staying in the habit of getting tested regularly, using the walk up centres that we will be establishing when the pilot transitions into a more sustainable scheme. But a negative test result does not let you get on with your life with no other control measures; it is reduced risk, not no risk. So we still need to follow the rules around regular hand washing, social distancing and avoiding household mixing. The way Liverpool has responded so far tells me we can absolutely embrace the challenge. Protecting ourselves, our friends, families, loved ones, and the wider City now and in the year to come. Let's keep doing what we are doing until we will be able to finally have something big to celebrate."

UK National Lockdown ends and Sefton moves into Tier 2

FROM Wednesday, 2 December 2020, the UK National Lockdown ends but Sefton and the rest of the Liverpool City Region will then be placed in Tier 2 'High Alert' of the Government's alert system. Liverpool City Region went into the National Lockdown, on 5 November 2020, in Tier 3 'Very High Alert.' This means the actions taken and sacrifices made by residents and businesses over the last month have had a positive impact on our infection rates, resulting in the area now being placed in the lower Tier 2 category.

Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said:- "Everyone across the Liverpool City Region is playing their part to get our infection rates down and that effort is clearly having an impact as we have come out of lockdown in a better position and in the Tier 2 alert level. By following the rules, we have seen a significant decrease in our infection rates across the Liverpool City Region and the mass testing programme in Liverpool is helping us to better understand the virus and, importantly, identify people who don't have symptoms but have tested positive so that they can self isolate and prevent the further spread of the virus. Whilst our figures are reducing, they are still too high but we have demonstrated that by following the rules, we can improve our infection rates here across the Liverpool City Region. This is a great achievement and one that we will continue to build on over the coming weeks and months. Stop. Think. Do the right thing by continuing to follow the rules so that we can start to do and enjoy the things we once did and get back to some sort of normality sooner."

So what does Tier 2 mean?

► Residents and businesses within Tier 2 must stick to the following restrictions:-

► No household mixing in any indoor setting.

► Rule of 6 applies outdoors - any social gatherings of more than 6 people are against the law.

► Pubs and restaurants must close by 11pm - last orders will be called at 10pm.

► Alcohol can only be served as part of a substantial meal.

► Spectators are allowed at sports events and live performances (capacity will be limited and social distancing must be stuck to).

► Personal care, including:- hairdressers and barbers, is allowed.

The Government is reviewing the Tiers every 2 weeks, meaning if our figures start to increase, we could be placed in a higher category with tighter restrictions so it's really important that everyone keeps up their efforts.

Explaining why are these restrictions necessary, Sefton Council said:- "We know that Covid19 is easily transmitted from person to person and while our infection rates have been reducing, they are still too high. Action needs to be taken to stop the spread of the virus within our communities and limiting interactions with other people as much as possible will help to contain the virus. The restrictions are in place to protect not only yourself, but those around you. The sooner we can contain the virus within our communities, the sooner we can get back to some sort of normality. Remember if you, or anyone in your household, starts to experience symptoms, it is important that you isolate and book a test. The main Covid19 symptoms are a high temperature, a new continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. You can book a test online or by calling:- 119."

LGA responds to new tiers announcements

RESPONDING to the Health and Social Care Secretary's statement on the new 3 Tier restrictions being introduced for different areas across England, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "Councils continue to lead local communities through this pandemic and will be working hard to ensure residents and businesses understand and are able to follow the rules they face. The social and economic cost of restrictions have been significant and it is good that these restrictions will be regularly reviewed, which we would expect to involve genuine consultation with local leaders. Councils still need clarity on how they can move between tier alert levels and local areas need to be reassured that successful work to tackle infection rates will result in an easing of restrictions as quickly as possible. Proper plans are also needed for how government will work with local areas to help scale up successful local contact tracing efforts with better data sharing to allow positive tests to be followed up, facilitate targeted testing at scale and coordinate the roll out of any Covid19 vaccine. The battle against this virus is far from over. It is vital that we all follow the new rules we face, get ourselves tested when needed, self isolate if positive and share our contacts on request."

FSB Merseyside and Cheshire responds to:- 'Tier 2' classification for Liverpool City Region and Cheshire and Warrington

RESPONDING to the Government's announcement that both Liverpool City Region and Cheshire and Warrington will be placed in:- 'Tier 2,' avoiding the most severe Covid19:- 'at risk' tier 3 classification; Phil McCabe, FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Development Manager for Merseyside and Cheshire, said:- "Small businesses will respond to the news they have avoided the most severe tier 3 restrictions more with relief than celebrations, but the announcement today will be a crucial step to ensuring that small businesses are able to plan and prepare for the weeks ahead. This hasn't happened by accident and it is important to recognise the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority its local Councils, as well as the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, Cheshire East and Cheshire West Councils. Throughout the pandemic they have worked with the FSB, the Liverpool City Region and Cheshire Business Groups and it is thanks to this collaboration that the most sever:- 'Tier 3' restrictions have been avoided. Businesses in Liverpool City Region and Cheshire, in particular those in the hospitality industry, are still facing severe restrictions on their ability to trade. Those in all tiers need reassurance about how long these measures will remain in place, and the longer term measures we can expect to face in the New Year. In order to safeguard jobs and livelihoods, the Government must set out a roadmap as soon as possible. These past nine months have been among some of the most difficult that small firms have ever had to endure and that hardship looks set to continue. It is vital that the Government's funding and support continues and is able to support the hardest hit businesses through new and future restrictions. In the Chancellor's Spending Review we heard very little about the importance of business and private sector job creation and it was also a missed opportunity to help Company Directors and the newly self employed who have been left with little or no support all year."

Responding to Directors' Income Support Scheme, the FSB is part of a coalition of small business leaders, tax experts and Company Directors, calling for a Directors' Income Support Scheme to help thousands of business owners who have had no income support throughout months of Covid linked disruption. FSB, Forgotten Ltd, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a former Senior Advisor to the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) have written to the Treasury to outline steps needed to help Directors, arguing that the ₤2bn to ₤6bn forecast cost of intervention pales in comparison to ₤55bn cost of furlough, and that millions of jobs are at risk unless urgent action is taken.

Many of those classified as self employed by the Government have been able to claim grants covering the significant majority of their incomes if they've been impacted by restrictions since the Spring, and can continue to do so until April 2021. By contrast, the Treasury and HMRC have stated that a comparable scheme for Company Directors would be impossible to establish because many pay themselves in dividends and there is "no way" to establish whether such income is derived from business activity or other investments.

Founded on the principles underpinning the Self Employment Income Support Scheme, the groups are arguing a Directors' Income Support Scheme could be established by drawing on details regarding trading profits and remuneration submitted by business owners to companies house; largely through corporate tax returns; information that is already available to HMRC. The collective forecasts that the cost of its proposed scheme would be between ₤2bn and ₤6bn, depending on its scope. Last month, the National Audit Office (NAO) forecast the cost of Government income support for employees to be ₤55bn. In addition, the Liverpool City Region Business Group, which is chaired by the FSB, is calling on people to shop local for Christmas to support small businesses and the economy at this critical time. The group has also written to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, calling for more funding to support local businesses hurting as a result of the second National Lockdown.

Phil McCabe added:- "In addition, the Liverpool City Region business group is urging the public to continue to shop local, shop small and shop small online where possible. Small businesses for many are the beating heart of our communities and we must band together to make sure we save small firms and jobs from being lost."

LGA responds to adult substance misuse treatment statistics

RESPONDING to Public Health England's annual adult substance misuse treatment statistics for 2019/20, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "People with substance misuse problems need the right support and treatment, which Councils are committed to providing despite the ongoing pressures of the pandemic. It is encouraging that more people are entering treatment, but it is still a serious cause for concern that we have seen increases in drug related deaths, particularly those related to opiates. The causes of substance misuse and finding solutions for it are complex, but we know the positive impact that adequate funding and early intervention can have. County lines gangs linked to recreational drug use also remains an extremely serious issue for Councils, who are working closely with police and others to tackle this. Housing, mental health and other Council services are linking up with the NHS and community groups to ensure everyone affected gets the help they need. Councils are doing all they can to help keep people healthy throughout their lives and reduce pressure on the NHS and Social Care. No new public health funding in the recent Spending Review makes this incredibly challenging."

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:- 17,555 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,574,562 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:- 498, 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:- 57,031, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 66,713.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 16,341. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,480 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,434.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,355,272 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 300,071 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

LOCKDOWN

Liverpool City Region

► Liverpool, 23,772 confirmed cases.
84

► Halton, 4,580 confirmed cases.
26

► Knowsley, 7,718 confirmed cases. 27

► Sefton, 10,392 confirmed cases..
53

► St. Helens, 7,491 confirmed case.
54

► Wirral, 9,888 confirmed cases.

26

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 100 over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 9,379 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,098 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 14,764 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 9,495 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 8,706 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 8,770 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 46,215 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 30,482 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 14,497 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 7,022 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 12,346 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 13,135 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 10,313 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 10,233 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 8,559 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 8,043 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 16,145 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 UK R number is estimated at:- 1 to 1.1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- +0% to +2%.