Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Schools must be compensated for Covid19 costs, says MP

SEFTON Schools should be fully compensated for any extra costs incurred during the Coronavirus Pandemic, says 1 of the Borough's MPs. Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson has been contacted by Schools in the constituency expressing deep concern over their budgets after they were forced to spend thousands of pounds on extra resources and face a loss of income from before and after School clubs. The Government had invited Schools to apply to a Coronavirus Exceptional Costs Fund for grants to cover extra costs incurred during the Pandemic. However, many Schools that applied to the fund have still not been told what they will receive, if anything. Every School in Sefton remained open for key workers from March to July, and incurred extra costs to get:- "Covid-ready" for the new School year in September.

Mr Esterson said:- "Headteachers have contacted me to say they have real and serious concerns relating to School funding in the immediate future. Schools have applied to the Department for Education as requested for a grant but have not yet heard if they will receive any extra funding. They say they have been left in the dark. For 1 Primary School it is ₤7,000; for another almost ₤25,000. These are costs that Schools, particularly Primary Schools, cannot afford to meet from current budgets, which are already stretched past breaking point."

As well as extra costs incurred due to the Pandemic, Schools have lost income from breakfast clubs and after Schools clubs, which were closed to paying pupils at the end of the last School year, and have been undersubscribed since September due to parents losing their jobs or switching to working from home. Any teachers who are shielding or self isolating must also be temporarily replaced by a supply teacher, the costs of which Schools cannot claim for, therefore putting even more pressure on budgets. Mr Esterson said:- "1 School told me they had lost ₤13,000 from wraparound care income. They weren't able to furlough staff like other businesses, due to being in the public sector, so had to continue paying staff wages. It is also costing this School ₤10,000 to cover a teacher absence as this teacher is shielding and is rightly being allowed to protect her own health. Then there are costs when staff have to self isolate while waiting for Covid test results or because a contact has tested positive. The Government has to step in and assure Schools all these extra costs will be covered. Education budgets have already been slashed under this Government and Schools cannot sustain these extra costs and losses. Schools who are doing the right thing with regard to keeping staff and pupils safe are penalised the most. The costs are completely out of the Schools' control. This could ultimately lead to budget deficits which can only be addressed through staff cuts. That's the last thing our children and young people need; they need more teachers and support, not less, after missing so much of last year and parts of this year if they are sent home to isolate. I have asked the Education Secretary when these Schools will find out when they will be paid from the Coronavirus fund. It is not fair to keep Headteachers and Governors waiting."

Southport Pleasureland hopes to still run Halloween and Christmas events

SOUTHPORT Pleasureland plans to run its biggest and best yet:- 'Day of the Dead' spectacular this November, and launch its Winter Wonderland North in December 2020. Day of the Dead is an increasingly popular high octane after dark annual:- 'celebration of life' featuring:- colourful samba drummers, fire spinners, fire eaters, stilt walkers, music with a live DJ, the park's rides fully illuminated and running; and a dramatic fireworks finale. The whole family Mexican celebration, which will see the park festooned with bright and beautiful sugar skulls, on Saturday, 14 November 2020, and will include outdoor food concessions and entertainments with proven Covid19 safety measures in place. Gates open at 5pm. Tickets for non-riders are �9.99 and include all the entertainments and fireworks and the 'rider' ticket price of �24.50 and includes unlimited rides .

There is no more exuberant and colourful celebration of simply being alive than South America's Day of the Dead extravaganza; and this will be Pleasureland's 3rd. The Day of the Dead; or el D�a de los Muertos; is a Mexican holiday dedicated to family. So it is fitting that the North West family focused attraction has chosen this most vibrant entertainment to light up the evening

The family spectacular has proven so popular with adults and children that each year it has grown to include new and even more exotic and entertaining elements. With illuminated rides running and music pulsing the celebration is defined by explosions of colour and zest for life and the firework display makes sure the sky is the limit for this memorable evening.

The park will be transformed into a theatre of light and music against a fabulous fiesta atmosphere. It's not every evening that you and your family are treated to the spectacle of a pair of skeletons duelling with flaming swords or dancing with fire, so keep your eyes peeled for something more than a little out of the ordinary.

The Katumba drum band is Liverpool's own. A fierce fusion of UK big beat, Caribbean calypso and the carnivals of Northeast Brazil; Katumba creates an explosion of rhythmic revelry that you can't help but dance to. Its colossal carnival sound fills the air and is complimented by spectacular dance choreography. The band has performed at some of the world's biggest events including:- Africa Oy�, Brazilica, Amsterdam Carnival and Recife Carnival, Brazil.

To ensure effective social distancing measures this year's event will feature acts on a purpose built stage with a 1 way system for visitors to enter and leave the show area. But that's not all Pleasureland has in store for visitors to the park as we bid 2020 a final farewell. Park CEO Norman Wallis says:- "Day of the Dead has become a real hit, but we didn't want to leave it at that, so we are staging Winter Wonderland North. We have been considering and planning a Winter Wonderland North event for some time. We have been open with full Coronavirus safety measures in place for many months. We know what we're doing, what works and how to make sure people understand the part they have to play in keeping everyone safe. Those who've visited the park will know that we take great care over the grounds and landscaping. We've planted many Christmas trees and they, along with our exiting established trees will be decorated with beautiful Christmas lights. All of the rides and buildings will be shimmering as the park pulls on its Winter Wow from its 1st weekend, starting Saturday, 28 November 2020 and Sunday 29 November 2020. Winter Wonderland will then be open every weekend in December until it opens daily (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) until 3 January 2021. Father Christmas; and the park is hoping to coax his reindeer to join him; will be in his Covid-safe grotto residence, a new indoor ride around Santa's workshop is under construction and a German style Christmas Market offers Christmas treats and festive food and drink; so there will be plenty to see and do."

More details about the what's on at Pleasureland is posted on the park's website:- SouthportPleasureland.Com. This year social distancing measures will be observed but fun levels will be kept high.

Total UK cases COVID19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 24,701 cases and the total number now stand at 942,275, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 310, 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:- 45,675, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 58,925.

The number of COVID-19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 9,520. The current number of COVID-19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 902. Daily number of COVID-19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,227.

In England, there are a total of 799,019 confirmed cases. North West - total of 200,118 confirmed cases.

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

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

ENHANCED RESTRICTIONS

Tier 3

LIVERPOOL City Region

► Liverpool, 18,251 confirmed cases.
282

► Halton, 3,339 confirmed cases.
73

► Knowsley, 6,066 confirmed cases. 117

► Sefton, 7,709 confirmed cases.
140

► St. Helens, 5,378 confirmed cases
131

► Wirral, 7,665 confirmed cases.

121

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, 5,969 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 3,345 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 9,746 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 5,996 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 5,794 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 5,470 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 30,790 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 19,146 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 8,893 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 4,678 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 7,777 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 8,047 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 6,621 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 6,576 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 5,817 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 5,532 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 9,811 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.

Liverpool City Region COVID19 Updates ... and Important Emergency Notices ...

Schools must be compensated for Covid19 costs, says MP

Total UK cases COVID19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

Liverpool City Region COVID19 Updates
... and Important Emergency Notices ...