What's happening in West Lancs?

• There's good news to report this week.  Although rates are still high, the number of Covid cases in West Lancs has dropped by 30%, mirroring the falling rates in the UK as a whole. 

• There's growing confidence that the peak of the omicron wave may have passed at last

• It remains to be seen if the return to school and increased testing will have any effect on the numbers. However early signs are good - testing in West Lancs increased by 123% over the last week up to January 12th, but there has still been this welcome drop in cases.

• Nationally, numbers of people being admitted to hospitals and deaths from Covid are sadly still increasing, although the rate of growth has slowed in the last week. But this increase is expected due to the time lag between people catching the virus and becoming seriously ill with it.

• It is hoped that hospital admissions and deaths will soon start to fall over the next few weeks if cases continue their downward trend.

• In West Lancs however, even these two indicators are good as the number of patients admitted to hospital has fallen by 40% and there has been a 12% drop in the number of deaths from Covid in the last seven days.

• See the situation in your postcode here.

• From next Monday 17th, the self-isolation period for people who test positive for Covid is being cut to five full days in England.  People will be able to leave isolation after negative lateral flow tests on days five and six.

• ONS data this week is showing that the number of people infected with covid during this omicron peak was 3.5 times higher than in last winter's peak. 
• However, so far we have 60% fewer patients in hospital and 80% fewer deaths.

• New figures this week from the UK Health Security Agency show that the boosters are working well against omicron variant.  Protection against hospitalisation among those aged 65 and over remains at about 90%, around three months after they received the third jab.  
• There is therefore no immediate plan to introduce a second booster dose, or fourth jab, to the most vulnerable.

There has been an extraordinary regional effort over the last month to ‘boost the booster campaign’ across the northwest.

Thanks to the remarkable efforts of health workers and volunteers, everyone aged 18 or over was offered the chance to book a booster by the end of December.

Highlights:

• By January 5th, almost 3.5 million people in the North West had had their booster vaccination – the numbers almost doubling in less than six weeks!

• Vaccination clinics popped up all over the place and more than 300 sites being used, including football stadiums, shopping centres and festive locations across the North West.

• On the busiest day (December 18^th) over 102,000 vaccinations were given (topping 100,000 for the first time) and at the busiest time in the middle of that day, about 200 people a minute were being vaccinated.

• Some vaccination sites, such as at the Etihad Tennis Centre in Manchester, even ran overnight sessions for the first time. 

• Most vaccination sites were up and running all over the festive season, with many open on Christmas Day and/or New Year’s Day.

Massive thanks to all those involved for giving up their time over the festive period – and to all those who went and got their vaccination!

Everyone over 12 can get a 1^st and 2^nd dose and everyone over 18 can also get a booster. Check all eligibility here

1. Book an appointment online

You can make an appointment by

• Booking online here
• Calling free phone 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: See below for this weekend's clinics.

There are more being added each week, so keep checking West Lancs CCG’s social media and webpage for the most up to date information: www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics/

3. Request a home visit

Under a new initiative launched this week 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

As a new year starts, many of us have resolutions to do things differently.  The Five Ways to Wellbeing are proven to help us feel better mentally and physically.

Here's five local ways to wellbeing this New Year:

Mental Health Support Drop in Day

Come along to the Mental Health Support Drop in Day on Saturday 15th January 10am-2pm.

Free for all ages at Artz Centre, Birch Green, Skelmersdale.

Find out about the many local services and networks that can help and support you, your family, or your friends, with any mental health concerns as well as vital lifesaving First Aid techniques.

Birchwood will also be on hand to showcasethe range of services they offer, such as their classes and Counselling services, as well as Callum, their talented chef, serving some delicious food.

Free refreshments, hot food, and sweet treats available!

See more information here.

Volunteer - use your skills to make a difference

Many organisations across West Lancs are looking for volunteers, and the CVS Volunteer Centre has hundreds of opportunities across the Borough.

If you want to find out how you could use your skills to help out, do contact Jan to connect with people in your local area

This week the Liberty Centre is looking for new Board members.

If you have skills in the any of the following areas you could help make a difference:

• Finance
• Health and safety
• Children’s services
• Safeguarding
• Human resources
• Funding
• Strategic development

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 new ‘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

Enjoy green West Lancs

If one of your resolutions is to be more active snd move more, there's three events for you to enjoy this weekend in the wonderful green space of Tawd Valley Park, skelmersdale:

1.  Junior park run 

A free, fun, and friendly 2km event every week in Tawd Valley Park - for juniors (4 to 14 year olds).  

Every Sunday at 9am.  Find out more: 

• www.parkrun.org.uk/ske...
• www.facebook.com/skemj...

2.  Tawd Park Run

Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5km community event.

Every Saturday at 9am

• www.parkrun.org.uk/tawdvalley/
• www.facebook.com/Tawd-Valley-parkrun-108047443866618/

3.  New Tawd Park mountain bike trail opens tomorrow

Be one of the first to ride the new mountain bike trails through the beautiful woodlands of Tawd Valley Park.

This BRAND NEW facility opens this Saturday 15th January with a  grand opening at 11am - 2pm.

Free Bike MOT's available on site courtesy of the 'BikeWorks' as well as pop up displays from Friends of Tawd Valley, West Lancs Ranger Service and Active West Lancs.

Come along and have a ride - the trails are FREE to use and suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities. 

Situated within Tawd Valley Park at the end of Summer Street, Skelmersdale. 

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: