What's happening?

Across the UK, the number of covid infection is showing signs of a sustained increase this week.

• Over 45,000 new infections were reported in UK yesterday – the highest daily figure since July:  https://coronavirus.data.gov.u...
• The UK's high vaccination rate is reducing serious illness from Covid infection, but hospital admission and deaths are still beginning to rise.
• This is not due to higher testing numbers which have remained stable since mid September

What's happening in West Lancs?

This UK trend upwards is reflected in the local figures, with the number of covid cases increasing by 25% over the last 7 days.

Find out the situation in your postcode here.

Self-isolation support payments

If you have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and you’re on a low income, unable to work from home and will lose income, you may be entitled to £500 under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme. 

The system is still available and will be in place for eligible residents until 31 March 2022.

Find out more here.

Testing in Skelmersdale

To support the continued response to covid-19, Lancashire County Council will be bringing their Covid testing bus to Skelmersdale next week.

1 in 3 people who have covid-19 have NO symptoms.  Protect your family and friends by getting a free test at:

• Tanhouse Community Centre Car Park - Monday 18th October, 10am – 4pm
• Evermoor Hub Car Park - Friday 22nd October, 10am – 4pm

Help with debt

West Lancashire Borough Council is launching a Get Money Fit campaign for anyone struggling with debt who needs help to manage their income and outgoings.

• Have a look at their Directory of Services to find out where to get support and advice.
• Use their benefits calculator and budgeting tool to get an estimate of what you could be claiming to maximise your income.

Foodbank donations

With the recent £20 cut in Universal Credit, more people are having to choose between heating and eating this winter.   

There's no better time to consider donating to your local foodbank.   It’s a great way to support your local community and your donations are vital for keeping foodbanks running. 

Find contact details for local West Lancs foodbanks here.

Covid vaccination for pregnant women

Pregnant women are being encouraged to get vaccinated against covid-19 after new data this week shows that 17% of the most critically ill COVID-19 patients are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated. 

• The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is supporting calls from the NHS and encouraging pregnant women to get the vaccine.
• Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty also said this week that:  'COVID-19 is dangerous for pregnant women and their babies. The medical advice is clear: it is much safer to be vaccinated against COVID than get COVID if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Please get vaccinated and support people you know who are pregnant to be vaccinated.'

Find out more and read the useful 'decision maker tool' developed by the RCOG here.

Flu vaccination for children

Everyone eligible is being urged to get their flu vaccine as soon as it is offered due to the likelihood of flu and covid-19 co-circulating this winter.  Find out more here

Children will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccine and this is free on the NHS for:

• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2021 – born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2019
• all primary school children (reception to year 6)
• all year 7 to year 11 children in secondary school
• children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions

Find out more here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

• Find out how to get your vaccination here
  
• Find out how to get tested here

Can you help us get the word out?

We are working with West Lancashire Borough Council to get accurate information into the heart of communities and would be grateful if you could pass this on to your networks.

Please join in these efforts by cascading these messages on to your work colleagues, friends and families using the share buttons below: