A key worker
COVID-19 testing site has opened on Park and Ride in Southport
A pilot COVID-19
testing location has been set up on the Park and Ride, in
Southport, offering tests to key workers, and the people they
live with, if they have Coronavirus symptoms. Over the next 2
days, key workers who are self isolating (either because they
themselves or the people they live with are experiencing
Covid-19 symptoms) can be tested, enabling people in vital roles
to return to work sooner if they test negative.
Employees who are eligible
for testing will be contacted by their employer or can
contact their employers to request a test, either on behalf
of themselves or a family member / someone who lives in
their household. Eligible candidates are people aged over 18
who are symptomatic, but not so ill that they can't work, or
family members causing a key worker to need to self isolate
until Covid-19 can be ruled out. Anyone who is too ill to
work will not be tested. This testing is not for the
general public!
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of
Sefton Council, said:- "I'm proud that the very 1st
pilot testing facility in Cheshire and Merseyside is taking
place in Southport. Sefton Council, working closely with our
partners across the borough, have been identifying those key
workers who meet the strict criteria for testing, so that
they can be tested for Covid19 in a safe and accessible way.
Our dedicated workforces want to be at work, supporting our
local communities, and those who test negative will be able
to return to the vital roles they play in the fight against
Coronavirus."
Businesses
look to move online with Napthens support
SOUTHPORT
businesses are learning to move their sales operations online,
with the support of regional law firm Napthens. With the current
lockdown resulting in many companies unable to carry out
business as normal, Napthens has been advising business owners
on the best methods to continue trading online. Jon Esner,
Partner and head of Commercial at regional law firm Napthens,
has been offering key advice on selling goods online through a
range of webinars and personal advice. While some businesses
have been selling online for years, many others are embracing
the technology for the 1st time. Jon says businesses can make
the most of moving their goods onto the internet; and the firm
can help business owners navigate the different laws that apply
to online selling. He said business owners need to think about
privacy and cookie notices on their website, in addition to
clear terms and conditions of sale, cancellation and return
rights. Jon said:- "With retail
outlets closed, many businesses are moving to online selling for
the 1st time ever. This type of diversification is great to see
and a fantastic example of entrepreneurship. We are keen to help
businesses who are looking to take this step. We provide the
expertise and guidance they need to keep their companies trading
and to stay on the right side of the regulations that come with
selling on the internet. At Napthens we are continuing to
support businesses across the North West as they respond to the
pandemic. We have a specially assembled team, offering advice
including employment and HR, health and safety, commercial
contracts, litigation and Wills and Estate planning. For more
information on the support available, visit the Napthens
website."
Time to
Cherish Our Greatest Resource
CARE England, the
largest representative body for independent providers of adult
social care wants to ensure the wellbeing of adult social care
staff as they are our biggest resource. The report published
today by IPPR, Fit for Carers, for example reflects on the
implications the Covid-19 crisis has had upon the of wellbeing
of the social care workforce.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England,
says:- "If there is 1 thing that this dreadful pandemic
has shown us it is that the social care workforce is our
greatest resource. We must learn from this and train, resource
and cherish the workforce accordingly."
There is a need to recognise the efforts of health and care
professionals as a whole nation. These are the heroes on the
frontline leading the fight against Covid-19. Care England is
acutely aware of the sacrifices that the adult social care
workforce has made during this pandemic, consequently we are
working tirelessly to ensure that these efforts are reflected
through instituted policies and gestures from central
Government. An unhealthy care workforce will not be able to
manage the health of the population, we must strive to protect
the workforce that protects us.
Members of Care England are implementing overarching wellbeing
strategies to ensure the physical and mental health of their
staff. For example:- 24/7 telephone counselling; specialist
guidance around financial, wellbeing and lifestyle topics;
specific guidance on health and wellbeing as well as home
learning, remote line management and technology and wellbeing
toolkits.
Martin Green continues:- "An important legacy of this
crisis must be securing the status of social care as one on
equal to the NHS. Never again must social care be the underdog.
Social care must retain its rightful status which will therefore
necessitate adequate resourcing, funding and status."
Total UK cases
COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and
surroundings
THE UK Hospital
COVID fatalities rise by 616 to 18,738. The Department of
Health said that the number of laboratory confirmed COVID-19
infections has risen by 4,583 to 138,078. In England, there
are a total of 102,221 confirmed cases. North West; total of
15,682 confirmed cases. Current confirmed cases within the
following Local Authorities are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,234 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 699 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 847 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 510 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 283 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 2,305 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 634 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 689 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 929 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 699 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 504 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 505 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 623 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 358 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 369 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 394 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 509 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 256 confirmed cases.
These stats are according to Public Health England as of
23/04/2020. Last updated 1:52pm GMT. Last updated 2:58pm GMT. UK total includes cases detected through:-
"Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by
commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the
sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only include:-
"Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE /
Devolved Administration Labs).