GET TESTED: Urgent advice to people living in Covid hotspots

ALL residents living in 3 Covid19 hotspots in Liverpool are being urged to get tested as soon as possible to break the chain of infection. Greenbank, Picton and Riverside had a total of 335 cases, in the 7 days, up to 26 June 2021, accounting for around 1 in 5 of the 1,826 confirmed infections across the city over the past week. The latest weekly rate of Covid19 in Liverpool is 366 per 100,000 population and the latest positivity testing rate is 9%, putting the City close to the top 10 areas in the country. More than 70% of cases are now in people aged under 45, split between those under 18, aged 18 to 24 and 25 to 44 year olds. It is having a knock on effect for Schools, hospitality and employers, with thousands of people who have come into contact with those with the virus having to self isolate.

Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton, said:- "Rates of infection have rocketed over the last few weeks in those age groups which have not yet been fully vaccinated and is having a knock-on effect for schools, hospitality and employers as people are having to self isolate. This is a stark reminder that Covid19 has not gone away and still poses a danger to people, so it is absolutely vital we continue to do everything we can to keep it under control. We are asking all residents people in the three areas of the City which have the highest rates of infection to get themselves tested in the next three days, as you can have the virus without displaying symptoms and be transmitting it unknowingly. Wherever you live in the City, if you are unwell you should get a test rather than just taking a guess. If you have fever, cough or a loss or change in smell or taste, you should self isolate and get a PCR test so that you can be as sure as you can be that you have or haven't got the virus. It is a good idea to get tested a couple of times a week if you are out and about regularly. We also need to continue to follow the rules around social distancing, hand washing and face covering, as well as limiting our contact in areas with large groups of people."

Residents in these areas are now being asked to:-

► Get a rapid (Lateral Flow) Covid19 test by this coming weekend.

► If it is positive, self isolate and follow it up with a confirmatory PCR test.

► Get 2 doses of the Covid19 Vaccine; call:- 119 or book online at:- NHS.UK.

► If you have had a positive Covid19 test, wait 4 weeks before you book a vaccine appointment.

► Anyone who has any of the common symptoms of Covid19 such as a fever, a cough or loss/change in taste of smell should always get a PCR test.

People can access testing in the following ways:-

► The City�s community testing sites; locations can be found at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK.

► Picking up home testing kits from Local Pharmacies:- Maps.Test-And-Trace.NHS.UK.

► Ordering rapid testing kits online at:- Gov.UK.

► At 1 of the Council's Rapid Response Vehicle Mobile Testing Units (locations are publicised on the Council�s social media channels)

► The latest Covid19 infection rates for Liverpool can be found at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK.

Cabinet member for Public Health, Councillor Frazer Lake, said:- "Covid19 has impacted on all of our lives over the past 18 months but we need to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe in the coming weeks while the vaccine rollout continues. I can�t stress the urgency of this enough to everyone. Covid isn�t something that is going to go away on its own. We need to make sure we protect ourselves and others. 2 doses of the vaccine gives you the best possible protection and reduces onward transmission, but it does not guarantee that you will not get ill or pass it on to others. That is why we need those who have had their jabs to also abide by the advice and guidance. Please continue with the rapid Lateral Flow tests twice a week, and if you have any symptoms, please self isolate and get a PCR test. We all need to work together on this; only by following the advice and guidance are we giving ourselves the best chance at a return to normality."

Sefton Council shares Southport Crematorium update

SEFTON Council�s Green Sefton Service has now undertaken extensive maintenance to the grounds of Southport Crematorium, after its regular upkeep was hampered by the effects of Covid19. The update comes the day after Sefton Council�s Leader, Cllr Ian Maher, outlined that the local authority is still feeling the effects of the virus. A combination of staff shortages due to redeployment, general staff turnover and shielding or self isolation during the pandemic has resulted in a backlog of maintenance work across Sefton�s outdoor spaces. The recent spells of good weather have resulted in rapid natural growth of grassed and planted areas. And, the extension of the football season has also contributed to a delayed schedule of planned works, with additional grass cutting and pitch marking required later in the sports season than usual.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council�s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:- "The maintenance of Southport Crematorium�s grounds had fallen below our normally high standards for a site which is so important to our communities as a place for quiet remembrance and reflection. It�s been an unprecedented time of demand and challenge for our Green Sefton service, alongside all other Council departments, over the past year and a �. Many officers have been redeployed throughout the pandemic, supporting our Public Health teams to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. We�ve also had to respond to the increased public use of all Green Sefton sites during the various stages of lockdown. This has included clearing litter at the coast and emptying bins in our parks, despite our relentless pleas for visitors to take responsibility for their rubbish when enjoying our outdoor spaces. We�ve had to prioritise hotspot areas all while protecting our own staff, for instance when they have needed to self isolate. This has inevitably caused a delay and a backlog to our normal maintenance schedules. I am very pleased to report that over the past week we�ve had Green Sefton Officers at the crematorium catching up with grass cutting and weeding, and we have allocated some additional temporary funding to increase staffing provision across Green Sefton until the end of September. This will include having 2 members of staff undertaking the regular upkeep of the crematorium. We�re also working closely with local volunteers who have come forward to support our maintence of this important space moving forward. We will be looking for funding opportunities that could support longer term improvements and projects to enhance the site further and ensure it remains a fitting place to remember loved ones."

Similarly, the Council�s Burial and Cremation Service has been under a great deal of pressure over the past year and a �, responding to increased service demand and added restrictions as a result of the Covid19 Pandemic.

Peter Moore, Head of Highways and Public Protection, said:- "In order to comply with legislation, guidance, health and safety requirements or simply to ensure that burials and cremations were prioritised, some services such as ashes interment, scattering and memorialisation were suspended for significant periods of time. This has sadly resulted in people waiting much longer than normal to access these services. We recognise that these services are important aspects of the bereavement process and remembering loved ones, and that long delays are distressing for people. We are prioritising trying to catch up with these services, but this is going to take some time. We are continuing to work hard on this and to try to get to a position where we are able to give everyone a firm date as soon as possible."

Sefton Crowd launches brand new funding round for community projects

AN incredible community led scheme which funds ideas that create more vibrant, resilient and connected communities is once again being held in Sefton. The funding opportunity is part of Sefton Crowd, a council initiative that aims to give anyone who lives locally with ideas about how to improve their area the opportunity to gain funding via the UK�s leading civic crowd funding platform Space Hive. The aim is simple; to fund and deliver exciting and innovative ideas to improve Sefton put forward by the local community, for the local community. The Council has allocated a dedicated fund of ₤50,000 for projects taking part in the programme, where there is an opportunity for local projects to get a pledge from the Council of up to ₤5,000. From wildflower meadows to virtual music festivals, Sefton Crowd is helping people bring their ideas to life. The Woodend Community Woodland Project is just 1 example.

Frank Sharp, Trustee of Friends of Maghull District said:- �In the most challenging of times, the rich, accessible, friendly collaborative support from Space Hive and the incredibly generous motivational pledges from their partners Sefton Council, Idverde and others made the seemingly impossible possible. This enabled us to exceed our ₤23,803 funding target by 14%, to reinvigorate an historic woodland entrance to Maghull, with a welcoming, accessible, safe, iconic and engaging wildlife friendly space, focusing on enhancing the environment, history, community, and legacy."

The deadline to put forward your idea is Wednesday, 8 September 2021. Space Hive will also lead a programme of events for anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more or might want to test or discuss ideas that they would like to put forward 1st. Sefton Crowd forms part of a new approach to civic planning by Sefton Council which sees crowd funding as a key channel to involve communities and local organisations in regeneration.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's cabinet member for communities and housing, said:- "We're ready to support projects that answer our call for ideas which put local people at the heart of the efforts to help Sefton recover from the Pandemic. I�m also calling on companies and foundations to join us in offering support; whether funding or in kind, to the ideas people post on the platform so we can work together to make them a real success. The more people that get involved in Sefton Crowd the more amazing places we can create together."

Sefton Council and Space Hive will hold a workshop to discuss your project ideas on Wednesday, 14 July 2021, at 10am and you can register by visiting Sefton crowd events. If you are interested in taking part in the next funding round of Sefton Crowd, as a funder or to fund your own project, please visit:- www.Spacehive.Com/Movement/SeftonCrowd or email:- Info@SpaceHive.Com.

GET TESTED: Urgent advice to people living in Covid hotspots

Sefton Council shares Southport Crematorium update

Sefton Crowd launches brand new funding round for community projects

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region