December 3rd 2021
Covid-19 situation

What's happening in West Lancs?

  • The number of people testing positive for covid-19 is continuing to drop in West Lancs - despite a slight rise across the UK.
  • Encouragingly, hospital admissions and deaths from covid are both continuing to drop as the boosters continue to have a major effect in boosting immunity in older age groups.
  • See the situation in your postcode here.
Latest covid data:

From the Government Coronavirus Dashboard 
West Lancs Covid cases

In last 7 days to Dec 2nd:

379  ( - 14% )

See change over last 3 months here
UK Covid cases

In last 7 days to Dec 2nd:

311,957  ( + 3% )

See changes over last year here
People admitted to hospital - West Lancs

No. of people admitted to hospital due to covid up to 21st Nov:

11 ( - 15% )

More West Lancs hospital data here
People admitted to hospital - UK

No. of people admitted to hospital due to covid up to 28th Nov:

5,282 ( - 6% )

More UK hospital data here

Latest vaccination uptake - % population age 12+ 

(to 1-12-21)

West Lancs

     83%   

First dose

77%

Second dose

38%

Booster/third dose

UK

89%

First dose

81%

Second dose

33%

Booster/third dose
Key developments this week

News of the Omicron variant has shown the pandemic is not over.  

It will take a couple of weeks to get enough data to be sure of the implications, but initial studies are showing that Omicron is likely to be more easily transmitted but that vaccines are likely to still be effective.

Vaccination changes

In the light of the uncertainty around Omicron, the government has announced the following changes this week:

  • Everyone aged 18 and above will be eligible for a covid booster
  • Boosters will be offered by age group, in a descending order.  To protect those who are most vulnerable first, priority will be given to older adults and people over 16 who are at risk.
  • The gap between second dose and boosters will be halved from 6 months to 3 months.
  • Children aged between 12 and 15 will be offered a second dose
  • Severely immunocompromised people can get a fourth dose


Please note:  These changes do not take effect yet. The government plans to deliver this expanded booster programme by the end of January but the NHS needs to put capacity in place before expanding the programme.

The NHS will contact everyone once they are eligible.  

Until that point, eligibility remains as it was last week - more information here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/...
Other changes
Local vaccinations

Locally, West Lancashire CCG is putting plans in place to meet demand in the timescale set out by NHS England for the above vaccination changes. 

We will keep you updated on details of any new local vaccination clinics in the coming weeks.

Until these are announced, there are a few local clinics continuing, including these in Burscough:


>  Walk in vaccination clinics this weekend <

At O'Briens Pharmacy Group in Burscough 

Friday 3rd December - 10am-5:30pm

Saturday 4th December - 10am-2pm

This is for 1st, 2nd or booster doses and people must meet current eligibility criteria.  

First and second doses available for ages 18+ only

Boosters available for:

  • Aged 40+
  • Aged 18+ with a condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19
  • Health and social care worker

And it should be at least 6 months since your 2nd dose 
Getting your vaccinations

The key message in the light of Omicron is to get your vaccination or booster as soon as you can.

Everyone over 12 is currently eligible for a covid vaccine and it's not too late - even if you haven't had any doses yet.

To get your jab or your booster:

  • at a vaccination centre or pharmacy, book here
  • at a walk-in site (without appointment), find one here
Can you help support the community?
Call for vaccination centre volunteers

As the booster campaign steps up, more volunteers are urgently needed to help at the vaccination centres.

Vaccination centres rely heavily on volunteers providing marshalling in buildings and car parks to help people feel safe and confident when attending for their appointments.

A minimum commitment of a couple of hours a week is needed. 

You will get full training and travel costs.

Find out more and sign up here.
Other places to volunteer

The CVS Volunteer Centre has hundreds of organisations looking for volunteers - see above for some of those needing help now.

If you want to find out more or are interested in volunteering, do contact Jan to connect with people needing help in your local area.
Plant a tree!

Skelmersdale community group Friends of Tawd Valley are looking for volunteers to help plant trees tomorrow.

To celebrate National Tree Week, the Friends are planting 420 trees donated by the Woodland Trust.

Join them on Saturday 4th December 2021 between 10am till 1:30pm.


Elaine Brookes, secretary of the groups says: 

'We will meet up at 10am at the community orchard at the back of the new allotments on Manfield.  The ground has been prepared so we should be able to get many of the trees planted. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing, footwear and gloves.

If anyone wants to get involved planting a tree, please come along and even if you can only stay for a short while you will still be very welcome.

Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. For younger children we have purchased some small spades so they too can plant some trees.


Find out more about the event here

Find out about the Friends of Tawd Valley on their website: friendsoftawdvalley.or...
Support organisations

There are lots of local organisations that can offer help and support on a wide range of issues at this pandemic time. 

Do pass this information on to anyone you know who needs a hand.
Organisations that can help:
Social support
Support for women
Support for men
Emergency food supplies
Financial help - loans
Emergency furniture
Mental health support
Support organisations
Debt and benefits advice

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:
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West Lancs CVS

Certacs House, 10-12 Westgate, Skelmersdale
United Kingdom
01695-733737
enquiries@wlcvs.org
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