What's happening in West Lancs?

• The situation continues to improve in West Lancs.  Covid rates are still high but are coming down and the overall rate is lower than the UK average.

• A total of 355 people tested positive over the last 7 days in West Lancs - a drop  of 33% from the previous week - but the number of people admitted to hospital increased by 22%.

• See the situation in your postcode here.

What's happening across the UK?

• There is good news across the UK as case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths continue to fall.

• Yesterday, 40,376 covid cases were reported in England.  This meant the seven-day average dropped below 40,000 for the first time since 5th December 2021.

• The number of confirmed Covid patients in ventilator beds has now fallen to 303 - the lowest since 3rd July 2021.

• The number of cases is still high, with the ONS estimating that in England this week 1 in 20 people have Covid.

• However the latest data from ONS shows 
  • cases are continuing to decrease
  • hospitalisations continue to decrease and didn't rise as high as previous peaks
  • deaths are decreasing, with the overall rate only rising slightly in the Omicron wave compared to other peaks.

1.   People who are at the highest risk from Covid can now get a new antiviral treatment if they test positive for the virus. Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospital admission or death by 88% in clinical trials.   

2.   The government announced this week that children aged between five and 11 in England will be offered a low-dose Covid vaccine.

Official scientific advice concludes the move would help protect the "very small" number of children who become seriously ill with Covid.

The rollout will be "non-urgent", with an emphasis on parental choice.  The Health Secretary has said that the NHS will prepare to  offer the vaccination to all children during April and parents can take up the offer if they want to.

3.  This week's analysis from UKHSA analysis estimates booster vaccinations have prevented 105,600 people from being admitted to hospital with Covid since mid-December.

Read more about it here. 

The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria has launched the vaccinations at home service as it looks to offer a jab to as many people as possible across the region.

A disabled former oil rigger who almost died from Covid has told of how he has now been protected from the disease, thanks to the vaccinations at home service in Lancashire.

Peter Rigby, 61, spent weeks in intensive care having caught the disease last autumn. He has now received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine from the comfort of his living room.

"To be able to have someone come to the house to give me the vaccine was a life-saver"

• Read his story here.
• To find out how to get your jab at home, see details below:

Everyone over 12 can get a 1^st and 2^nd dose and everyone over 16 can also get a booster. Check all eligibility here

If your 12-15 year old missed out on getting their vaccine at school, for example, you can still book online. It's quick, easy and free.

1. Book an appointment online

You can make an appointment by

• Booking online here
• Calling freephone 119

2. Find your nearest drop-in clinic

Permanent clinic sites:   Anyone aged 16 and over can get vaccinated at a drop-in clinic - without a pre-booked appointment.

Find nearest vaccine drop-in clinics on the NHS website. 

Additional drop-in clinics:  Any local drop-in clinics will be listed on West Lancs CCG’s webpage each week:  www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics/

3. Request a home visit

Under a new initiative by the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria, anyone who is shielding or doesn’t feel comfortable using the existing vaccine services can now book to be vaccinated at home.

Find out more information and how to book online, here.

You can either:

• Collect FREE tests from a symptom free local collection site to use at home later. Find your nearest collection point here.  Or

• Order FREE home testing kits online to be delivered to your home, here.

If you test positive: The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme is still available and will be in place for eligible West Lancs residents until 31 March 2022. 

If you're isolating and on a low income, unable to work from home, and facing financial hardship then you could be entitled: www.westlancs.gov.uk/more/emergencies/coronavirus/test-and-trace-support-payment.aspx

Volunteer!

Check out these new volunteering opportunities - they're just some of the hundreds of groups in West Lancs needing volunteers.  

Get in touch with Jan on 07598 552945 if you can help.

Appley Bridge Community Association is bringing back their Duck Race this year. 

This popular event has been run for decades on the canal to raise money for local initiatives and charities but has been cancelled in recent years due to the pandemic.

The Duck Race is now scheduled for May 2022 and is hoping to raise over £2,000. 

They are looking for volunteers to help organise the event (and volunteer on the day) to help with:

• Liaising with local businesses to sell tickets
• Putting up banners around the village
• Liaising with printers for tickets and banners
• Helping coordinate logistics on the day
• Website/social media/digital tickets assistance

Message their Facebook page if you can give any help.

Here's a reminder of the foodbanks operating in West Lancs:

• Ormskirk Food bank (voucher): foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/ phone 07748 951274 or email info@ormskirk.foodbank.org.uk

• Skelmersdale Food bank (voucher): foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/ (includes foodbanks at Oak House, Tanhouse and Trinity Methodist Church)

• Burscough Food Bank (voucher): skelmersdale.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/ phone 07989 05283 skelmersdale.foodbank.org.uk/locations/

• Evermoor Hub, Digmoor, Skelmersdale: phone 01695 727483
  

• All Saints Church, Hesketh Bank: small foodbank supporting local families. Contact Rev Dave on mob: 07805 598 256, tel: 01772 814458 or email heskethbankandtarletonhelpers@gmail.com

If you are able to make any donations, do get in touch with the foodbank direct.

Your contributions really do make a difference - as Rev Dave of Hesketh Bank foodbank describes in their recent newsletter:

" We’ve been blown away by the generosity of local people who throughout the pandemic have been donating food. A huge THANK YOU – your gifts have been an absolute lifeline for those in need.

Sadly, the need shows no immediate sign of abating, and if you are able to donate we would appreciate tins and packets of foods – non-perishable goods. (Fresh food is bought from our funds on the day of delivery).'"

Learn new I.T skills

Having the skills and confidence to get online is a part of everyday life.  It’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family, shop online and manage your money through online banking in the comfort of your own home.

If you would like to learn how to get online, why not sign up for the Borough Council’s ‘We Are Digital’ training sessions?

You get one to one sessions – either at home or remotely – which cover all the basics of being online including:

• How to video call friends & family
• Using social media such as Facebook (inc. Internet Safety)
• Arranging GP appointments by video
• Shopping online (due to travel restrictions)
• Doing online banking (safer than telephone banking)
• Creating a CV and applying for jobs
• Government forms online & on the phone (benefits such as Universal Credit)
• Help with energy or switching bills

If you're interested in the free course, text WEST LANCS and your name to 07825 844 417 or phone 01695- 585216 or email: CustomerEngagement@westlancs.gov.uk

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: