Liverpool marks 32nd Hillsborough Anniversary

LIVERPOOL will mark the 32nd Anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, on Thursday, 15 April 2021. Acts of remembrance will be held from the afternoon, but people have been asked not to gather due to ongoing Covid19 restrictions. Flags will be flown at � mast, from civic buildings (St George's Hall, Cunard Building and the Town Hall) and the bells, at Liverpool Town Hall, will toll 96 times to remember all those who lost their lives as a result of the events of Saturday, 15 April 1989. As always, the City will also be asked to fall silent and pause for a minute at:- 3.06pm, the time, at which the match was officially stopped, to reflect on the events and all those affected by them. The Mersey Ferry will sound its horn, at 3.06pm, to signal the start of the silence and again to mark its end. Later in the evening civic buildings will also be lit red as an act of remembrance. Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Anna Rothery will lay a wreath on behalf of the City, at the Hillsborough Memorial, at Anfield. Acting Mayor Cllr Wendy Simon said:- "The tragic events of 15 April 1989 changed our city forever. It is a day to stop, reflect and remember all those who lost their lives, their families, and all the others who survived the trauma and continue to suffer. We will never forget the 96 and tomorrow we stand in solidarity as a City. I know that many people will want to come together with friends and family, but Covid19 restrictions are still in place. We are therefore asking that people follow the rule of 6 and other current guidelines as they pay their respects to the 96 and all the others who were affected by the tragedy. Please join me and thousands of others in the 1 minute silence where we can still join in a collective act as we remember all our fellow citizens who went to a football match in Sheffield and never returned home."

Access to the Community

CARE England, the largest representative body of independent Adult Social Care providers, has called for a review of Government guidance to facilitate Care Home residents to make trips or visits out. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "We need to ensure that the Prime Minister's roadmap works for all including residents of Care Homes and people living in supported living environments."

Professor Martin Green, CEO of Care England, gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights this afternoon where he emphasised the hard work that care providers had done to facilitate COVID safe visiting. He also highlighted the inconsistencies in the 'visiting out' guidance which did not seem to be aligned with the roadmap for the national lockdown.

Care England continues to work collaboratively with Department of Health and Social Care officials and to connect members directly with the Department in a meaningful way. Members have a real sense for what is workable, which is currently thwarted by the fourteen day isolation rule that residents and service users are subject to after a visit outside their home.

Martin Green continues:- "It is really hard to produce guidance that will accommodate everybody as there are so many different scenarios at play, but Care England wants to work with the Government to try. As the nation unlocks, residents want to resume their usual activities whether it is working aged adults with learning disabilities who want to go to work or College or older people residing in Care Homes who want to go to the park or an excursion. Care providers want to be able to support those in their care; their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance."

Bill Esterson MP reacts to the news that Maghull's popular St George's Social Centre is set to close for good

THE community hub on Station Road has been earmarked as 1 of 200 Parish Centres being closed across Merseyside, by the Archdiocese. Maghull MP Mr Esterson said he had been contacted by residents concerned at the loss of the community space. Mr Esterson said:- "St George's Social Club is a popular venue with members of the Church and the wider community. It is well used for functions and by clubs and groups. It will be a huge loss to the community and unfortunately the closure means some jobs will go. I contacted the archdiocese as soon as I heard this news to ask why they are proposing to close such a well used venue. They told me that St George's was a loss making centre, even before Covid came along. The last year has been incredibly tough for many many businesses and it is sad to hear that St George's club has become another victim. The archdiocese say they have been left with no choice but to close the centre as they cannot afford to keep it going. My hope is that someone will come forward to take over the club so that its use as a community space will be retained."

Mandatory Vaccination for Care Home workers?

CARE England, the largest representative body of independent Adult Social Care providers, has welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Government's consultation on mandatory Covid19 Vaccination for care staff working in Care Homes for older people, rather than all Care Homes, but expressed concern about the very short timescales. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "We have been really impressed how care providers have worked with their staff to listen to their concerns about the vaccine and this has had a very positive effect with a good take up. The sector is divided on whether or not vaccination should be mandatory, but it is wholly united in its support for the Vaccine and has done everything it can to persuade its residents and staff to have it. Should the Vaccine be mandatory for Adult Social Care staff working in Care Homes for older people it begs the question whether it should not be mandatory for the NHS, those working in other Care Home settings, supported living, Hospices, etc as well."

Published today on:- Gov.UK consultation gives the Adult Social Care sector only 5 weeks to submit their views on whether Covid19 Vaccination should be compulsory. The usual consultation phase is 12 weeks; however Martin Green continues:- "We maintain that ease of access to the vaccine is crucial in terms of enabling and encouraging staff to have it. We would recommend that on such an important issue where there are differences of opinion there should be a full consultation rather than a curtailed timescale. We will be encouraging our members that provide services for older people to respond, but with so many competing priorities they may not be able to do it justice in such a short time."

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:- 2,491 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,378,305 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:- 38 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:- 127,161, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 150,419.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 2,481. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 370 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 181.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,826,495 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 602,633 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follow:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-
Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 48,320 confirmed cases.
7

► Halton, 11,909 confirmed cases. 2

► Knowsley, 17,323 confirmed cases. 1

► Sefton, 23,806 confirmed cases. 10

► St. Helens, 17,005 confirmed cases. 2

► Wirral, 24,199 confirmed cases.
5

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

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.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

32,326,604 8,170,081

Jab Stats correct as of:- 13 April 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 Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.