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Doorstep surge testing in Cambridge and Dukes wards to pause, testing to continue at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre

THE surge testing operation across the Cambridge and Dukes wards of Southport will continue this weekend at the dedicated Mobile Testing Unit at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, with doorstep testing to be paused. Thousands of kits have been delivered to homes across the 2 ward areas, by Council and partner agency teams alongside volunteers, with door to door testing now stopping while Sefton Council awaits further direction from the DHSC. Anyone aged over 16 living or working in the Cambridge and Dukes wards, particularly if they cannot work from home under the current restrictions, are being urged to continue to use the testing site, at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, over the weekend, and will be open from 8am to 6.30pm.

For Southport residents not in those wards, they should follow the usual testing protocol dependent on if they have symptoms or not, with detailed testing information available on the Council's website:- www.Sefton.Gov.UK/Covid-19-In-Sefton/Covid-19-Testing/Coronavirus-Testing .

Executive Director at Sefton Council, Andrea Watts, said:- "We've seen incredible support from our residents over the past few weeks as we've targeted testing for the South African variant across three ward areas in Southport. Thank you once again for your continued efforts, and I know we'll see people supporting us again this weekend by getting tested at the dedicated mobile unit on the Promenade. To everyone that has supported us and taken up a doorstep test, you've played a vital role in our work to help reduce the spread of this disease and to enable scientists to learn more about it. It's been fantastic to see such a supportive response from our communities, likewise with the dedication of our teams on the ground visiting doorsteps come rain, snow or shine!"

To help stop the spread of the virus and its variants, aside from getting a test, residents should be staying at home as much as possible and only be going out for essential purposes; such as shopping for essential supplies, going to work if they can't do so from home, providing care and daily exercise. Andrea added:- "There are no additional restrictions in place for those areas where surge testing is still being carried out, but we do encourage residents of those areas to take extra care and try to limit their time away from home. Everyone should remember of course that wearing a mask when it's required, washing their hands regularly and maintaining social distancing are the best ways to stay safe and reduce the opportunity for the virus to spread."

Concessionary Merseytravel Pass Holders can travel to early morning vaccine appointments for free

FROM Monday, 22 February 2021, Merseytravel concessionary pass holders who have vaccinations scheduled before 9.30am will be able to use the bus or train to get to their appointments, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced. Passengers will be able present proof of their appointment; whether this is a letter, card or email; alongside their concessionary pass to travel for free during the morning peak as long as this is to receive their vaccination. The exemption will cover the Merseyrail Northern and Wirral Lines as well as all bus routes within the Merseytravel area and will be kept under regular review. Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "After almost a year of tough restrictions the rollout of vaccines offers the hope of a return to some form of normality in the near future. Whilst we are still in lockdown our public transport network should only be used for essential journeys, but to help people get vaccinated we're making sure that concessionary pass holders can still use the bus or train to get to their appointments for free even if these are during peak times. The Pandemic has hit our City Region hard, but with the end of the crisis now in sight, we want to help people to take up their vaccines when they're offered to them."

Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards crowns its 2020 champions

THE winners of the 2020 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards have been revealed in a unique online ceremony to celebrate the outstanding contributions to the industry in what has been a challenging year due to the Covid19 Pandemic. Hosted by:- Coronation Street and Emmerdale actress, Huyton born Eithne Browne, the ceremony was broadcast live into over 300 homes, where the finalists were standing by waiting for the winners to be announced. Guest presenters from across the City Region including:- the Principal Dancer of the Royal Ballet Matthew Ball, music artist and international DJ Yousef, actress Leanne Best and chef Paul Askew helped distribute the accolades by video link in the 15 categories.

The People's Choice award which saw 2,300 of votes cast from across the Liverpool City Region, was awarded to The Atkinson Sefton while the Lifetime Achievement award, recognising an individual's lifelong creative contribution to the Liverpool City Region, was bestowed on photographer, independent filmmaker and visual artist Sandi Hughes.

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:- "I always like to say that the Liverpool City Region is the country's cultural capital; that creativity is in our DNA and we've really seen that on full display during this past year. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our Region has continually responded with imagination, creativity and generosity to keep us all connected and our spirits high. I'd like to congratulate everybody who has been nominated for an award and give a special congratulations to our award winners. I know that all of these fantastic organisations and people will play an integral role in the Region's recovery after this pandemic; I can't wait to see what they will produce."

A panel of judges including Co-Chairs of the Culture Partnership Phil Redmond and Maggie O' Carroll, chose the finalists from more than 700 nominations this year.

Maggie O' Carroll said:- "Despite the Region's Museums, Art Galleries, Theatres and music venues having to close their doors for the best part of the last year, it was heartening to see how many nominations we still had for this year's awards and the quality of work we received which made the judging all the more difficult! The cultural and creative sector has been responsive and has shown to be a lifeline for many communities. It has proved invaluable in supporting people in their own health and well being during these extraordinary times."

Phil Redmond said:- "Congratulations to all the winners tonight at what was a dynamic digital ceremony. I'm delighted we could still get together using the power of technology to celebrate this year's achievements in what has been a crippling year for many cultural organisations. It just shows the resilience of the people of the Liverpool City Region who even now are making a significant impact to culture and creativity."

During the ceremony, the Borough of Culture title was handed from Sefton to Halton, the next of the City Region's 6 boroughs to hold the title.

Sefton Councillor and Cabinet member for Communities and Housing Trish Hardy said:- "I'm incredibly proud of how everyone took up the challenge to think differently about how we could present this year's Borough of Culture in Sefton. Covid-19 has had a massive impact in all areas and I am grateful for all the hard work that went into what has been a difficult year for the cultural and creative sector."

Councillor Eddie Jones, Portfolio Lead for Visitor Economy, Heritage and Events, and Lead Member for Borough of Culture at Halton Council said:- "As we move forward into 2021 and into Halton's Borough of Culture year, hopefully with the ongoing vaccine roll out there will be the opportunity to enjoy some of the culture and creativity the borough has to offer in more normal circumstances. We are looking forward to celebrating Halton's Borough of Culture year and to further build on the fantastic work we have seen in previous years."

Liverpool Designer Mary Lamb, Head of Liverpool based costume and fashion production space fabrication studios, also announced the winner of the Dress it Up competition which was awarded to Velma Von Bonbon in the amateur category and Emma Russell in the professional category.

They have both taken away a prize of bed and breakfast at the soon to open INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool Hotel, cocktails in the Sky Lounge at the INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool Hotel, dinner for 2 at Luban Restaurant with a bottle of Drappier Champagne, and 2 x tickets, to a Liverpool City Region located Theatre show and the chance to exhibit the winning creation, at the INNSiDE Hotel.

The Culture and Creativity awards were created as part of the Metro Mayor's Percent for Culture initiative, to recognise the value and power for change that the arts, cultural and creative sector can bring in reinforcing the City Region as one of the most vibrant and exciting places to live, work, study, visit or do business. The 2020 awards are delivered in partnership with Sefton Borough of Culture 2020 and sponsors including LuBan Restaurant, LuBan Kitchen, INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool, Davies Partnership and Accountable Recruitment.

This year's awards covered arts and cultural events, innovation and creative activity that took place within the Liverpool City Region during the period 1 April 2019 to 12 November 2020.

More to follow within our next Weekly Edition.

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:- 12,027 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,095,269 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:-533 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:- 119,920, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 129,498.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 19,392. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 2,535 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,490.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,588,001 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 563,965 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, 46,503 confirmed cases.
118

► Halton, 11,402 confirmed cases.
20

► Knowsley, 16,714 confirmed cases. 29

► Sefton, 22,787 confirmed cases.
55

► St. Helens, 16,033 confirmed cases.
56

► Wirral, 23,333 confirmed cases.

47

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, 16,846 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 8,714 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 23,603 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 15,920 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 19,319 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 20,196 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 90,864 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 48,891 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 21,216 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 12,547 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 19,378 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 21,270 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 18,943 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 16,515 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 15,309 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 16,702 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 26,662 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

16,875,536 589,591

Jab Stats correct as of 18 February 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:- 0.6 to 0.9 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -6% to -3%, as of 19 February 2021.

Previous 24hr Data

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