DAILY EMERGENCY COVID-19 NEWS
... Important Daily Notices ...

AS This page is to place quick update important notices that are being sent to us from Government and other organisations over the Coronavirus Emergency affecting our country (UK)...   Please remember that the information changes quickly, so always check to see what time and when the last post was made.  We will update as and when we can....  Users of our Formby Reporter's Free Email Service will get most updates 1st and then they will be added on here as soon as we can...  If you have any updates to send in or any views on the posts on here, please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

The oldest being shown below with newsiest notices above.

This page is updated on 6 April 2020

PM Boris Johnson is in intensive care

ON 6 April 2020, the UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 55, has been moved to intensive care after his Coronavirus symptoms worsened, Downing Street has reported.  He was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London with "persistent symptoms" on Sunday, 5 April 2020.

St John Ambulance needs your help continue to help provide frontline services over the COVID-19 crisis

SINCE the 5 March 2020, St John Ambulance has been supporting the NHS, during the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19).  As the UK's official Ambulance Auxiliary Service, St John Ambulance helps the NHS by responding to some 999 calls, as well as transporting patients safely.

"We support the public and our nations health service, plus Local Authorities, during extreme winter weather conditions, such as flooding or snow, following major accidents, or in national emergencies, and at times where additional capacity is required due to surges in demand. So we are again rising to the call and are continuing to work with NHS England to develop contingency plans, as part of the UK response to COVID-19 and other exceptional circumstances. This builds on our day to day support which includes supporting Ambulance Services with Ambulance Crews, and specialist vehicles to assist with predominantly lower acuity patients. To date, any activity undertaken by St John people has been part of existing arrangements with individual Ambulance and Hospital Trusts, rather than a specific spike due to COVID-19. Our plans are being revised constantly, but the current situation is that St John people are best placed to continue with the work we do on a daily basis, freeing up the NHS to care for COVID-19 cases. We have contingency plans in place for our work with the NHS, as well as within our own organisation to protect our people. Public Health England are publishing daily updates to the current situation, along with guidance documents which are being reviewed for relevance to St John Ambulance services." said a spokesperson for St John Ambulance.

St John ambulance is self funded and require your help more than ever.  You can do help St John Ambulance and there efforts tackling the Coronavirus by boosting the health response within your communities, across the country, by making a small donation to them.  To do this please visit:- SJA.Org.UK/Donate/ and help the charity's volunteers to provide continue their vital services during this national emergency.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of Coronavirus, or you need advice on how to stay safe, please use the online NHS 111 Coronavirus service.

Did you know? St John Ambulance has nearly 10,000 active health volunteers, who in 2018 treated 104,000 patients.

Coronavirus hits Liverpool's job market hard, as jobs and applications drop significantly in March

ACCORDING to the latest report from the UK's leading independent job board, CV-Library, Liverpool's job market has been hit hard by the Coronavirus outbreak, as job postings and applications dropped by 11.2% and 11.6% respectively in March 2020, when comparing month on month data.

The study, which explores job market data from March 2020 and compares this with figures from February 2020 and the same period in 2019, also reveals that vacancies have dropped by 5.7% year on year, while applications have fallen by 18.8%. Interestingly, the amount of people registering their CV's online in Liverpool jumped up 11.2% year on year and 8.8% month on month.

Lee Biggins, CEO and founder of CV-Library comments:- "It's not surprising that the outbreak of COVID-19 has prevented businesses in Liverpool from moving forward with their hiring plans. With global supply chains disrupted and many organisations forced to close their doors in order to respect social distancing rules, companies have had to change the way they operate and adapt to this new normal. Sadly, this has involved placing existing employees on furlough and even making redundancies and many professionals are feeling the effects. The national unemployment rate is set to soar in April and there's no doubt that this will be a really tricky time for job seekers across the City. However, it's important to use this time to prepare for your job search. Make sure you keep your CV up to date and keep an eye out for opportunities on a regular basis. This isn't forever and businesses will regain their confidence eventually."

However, it's not all bad news. While many industries are struggling, the data shows that job vacancies have increased in key sectors when looking at year on year figures. This includes roles in the public sector (up 103.7%), agriculture (up 98.7%), social care (up 17.9%), education (up 2.9%) and distribution (up 2.1%) industries.

Biggins continues:- "The fact that some industries are still seeing job growth is great news for candidates in Liverpool. That said, many job seekers may still find it tough to find the right role for them and there may be increased competition for these jobs. In the current climate, it's vital to think outside of the box when it comes to looking for a new role. If the industry you normally work in is struggling, be sure to identify your transferrable skills and look to find a role in a different sector that is still performing well. However, in order to be successful, it's vital that you adapt your CV and cover letter to make sure it's relevant for the industry and role you're applying for."

Helpline support extended for advice and emotional support

A helpline offering advice and emotional support has been extended to be available 24/7 as people across Lancashire and South Cumbria deal with the implications of the Coronavirus pandemic on their mental health.

The helpline operated by the area's leading mental health provider Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is available for anyone who is struggling to cope, feeling isolated or experiencing mental health problems such as stress, anxiety or depression.

Perri McGovern, Acting Service Manager for the Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline explained that it was a really uncertain and worrying time for the community. She said:- "It can be difficult to manage mental health and wellbeing when you are not able to do the things that matter most to you like seeing your family and friends or just simply going out to work. We recognise this and want to support people whenever they are feeling this way. I am pleased that we've been able to extend our usual service hours to be available 24/7 at a time when people really need some extra support. It is important everyone knows you're not alone and support is much closer than you think. I would urge anyone who needs support, a conversation or is suffering with a mental health problem to call or text us for emotional support and a listening ear."

The helpline initially expanded in September last year when it added a text service for people to make contact without speaking to people. Feedback from service users since then demonstrates that 100% of people who have used the service, say they would do so again.

The helpline can be contacted on:- 0800 915 4640 or by texting:- 'hello' to:- 07862 022846.

Civic buildings to lower flags to ˝ mast in honour of Liverpool nurse Liz Glanister

3 of Liverpool's most prominent buildings will lower their flags to ˝ mast this afternoon in honour of City nurse Liz Glanister. Liz, who worked as a nurse at Aintree University Hospital died on Friday after contracting the Covid-19 virus. Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has declared that the flags at Liverpool Town Hall, St Georges Hall and The Cunard Building will be lowered to half mast today, in Lizs honour. As a further tribute to Liz and other health professionals in the City, all 3 Civic Buildings will be lit up blue for the foreseeable future.  Mayor Anderson said:- "Words cannot express how much a debt of gratitude this City owes to Liz Glanister and her colleagues. Liz was a long serving member of hospital staff who dedicated her life to caring for others and in the true spirt of this City she gave everything she had to make a difference at such a crucial time. She was a hero in every sense of the word. Our thoughts remain with Lizs family, friends and colleagues. The lowering of the flags and the lighting up of the buildings is the least we can do to honour Lizs memory and pay an ongoing tribute to all those who continue to do their very best every day to help us all get through this difficult time."

LGA Responds to Minister Park Closures Guidance

RESPONDING to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, who has issued new guidance for Councils not to close parks unless it is impossible to maintain social distancing in them, Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson, Chair of the LGAs Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:- "This is a national emergency and the minority of people who do not adhere to the guidance need to change their behaviour to keep us all safe. Councils are constantly monitoring the situation regarding our parks. Councils know that parks are a lifeline for residents needing to get some exercise or fresh air and are great for physical and mental wellbeing. This is why Councils want to keep parks open, but people need to follow the social distancing advice, otherwise Councils will be reluctantly forced to close them as a last resort to help prevent the Coronavirus spreading."

MP backs new Labour leader to "support and challenge" through virus crisis

SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson says new Labour leader Keir Starmer is the right person to lead the party and effectively challenge the Government through the Coronavirus crisis. Mr Esterson had backed the front runner Starmer, who won the Labour leadership contest with 56.2% of 1st round votes. Rebecca LongBailey and Lisa Nandy received 27% and 16% of the votes respectively after running:- "positive campaigns," said the MP.

Mr Esterson said:- "I backed Keir Starmer for leader so was obviously delighted to see him announced as winner after a long process. It is now time for the party to come together to provide the opposition this country needs in this time of great challenge. Keir is the right person at this time to effectively support; but also challenge where need and the Government as we all play our part in tackling the current health crisis. Keir's message of unity won over members up and down the country, we need to ensure that we model that through the whole of the Labour Party now. It is clear that Labour comes out of this contest stronger, with Rebecca and Lisa running really positive campaigns. The election result in December was devastating for Labour and we cannot repeat it. That's why Keir's campaign was all about focusing the Party on winning elections. Only then can we change people's lives. We need to restore people's trust in the Labour Party as a force for good; a crucial part of that is tackling antisemitism. Nobody could have predicted ending in these circumstances; and regardless of the result, our thoughts are with all those affected by Coronavirus, and our brilliant NHS. The Labour Party's number 1 priority right now is working with the Government to help the country get through this."

Following the new leader's appearance on The Andrew Marr show on Sunday, Mr Esterson tweeted:- "Fantastic interview by the Leader of @UKLabour @Keir_Starmer on @AndrewMarr9 A clear plan, calm, reassuring and constructive on #COVID19 without point scoring. 10 out of 10!"

After reports of the Prime Minister being admitted to Hospital with Coronavirus on Sunday, and his pregnant partner Carrie Symonds suffering symptoms, the MP tweeted:- "Get well soon @BorisJohnson and Carrie Symonds. The fact the Prime Minister and his partner are this ill is a reminder of just how dangerous this virus is. Please everyone take this seriously."