UK situation

• Nationally, cases of covid-19 remain high but have fallen by 24% over the last week.
• Rates in most age groups have peaked and started to fall.  The younger age groups are showing the biggest falls - - even before half term - with cases in the 0-19 age group dropping by 40% .
• However rates in the 65+ age group are still increasing which may result in increases in hospital admissions.

See the most recent UK stats here

In West Lancashire

• The decrease in covid infections has continued from last week and has fallen by 11% over the last 7 days

• The number of patients admitted to Southport and Ormskirk hospital has also fallen since last week - by 25%. 

See the situation in your postcode here

Strong support for new Wellbeing Centre

Demand for covid-19 vaccinations remains high across the Borough.  

Over 1,000 vaccinations were administered in the opening two days of the Skelmersdale Health and Wellbeing Hub. 

The Hub will offer a range of health services for Skelmersdale residents but initial activity is focusing on covid vaccinations in this new, accessible location.

The new site is open seven days a week 9am-5pm (Sundays 10am-4pm).

• You can now book your first, second or booster jabs for the site via the National Booking System here.  
  
• Alternatively, you can call 01695 736196 to get booked in

Local vaccination rates

Vaccination rates over West Lancashire as a whole are slightly below the national average - with 82% having their first dose and 75% having their second dose.

Vaccination rates vary across the Borough: 

Lowest vaccination coverage, 12-44 years olds (1^st dose):

• 20 years and over:  Digmoor, Moorside, Birch Green, Tanhouse, Ashurst
• 12-15 year olds:  Digmoor, Moorside, Birch Green, Up Holland, Bickerstaffe
• 40-44 year olds:  Digmoor, Moorside, Birch Green, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale North

See the vaccination rates in your postcode here

Booster jabs

Eligible people can book their booster jabs direct, and last week saw record bookings using the National Booking Service with nearly 900,000 people booking in their booster jab. This was a 42% increase on the previous week!

In the UK, over half of all eligible people have now received their booster covid-19 vaccine.

If you’re over 50, you are eligible for both a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster.  Find out how to get yours here.

Vaccinations for 12-15 year olds

NHS England is reporting that more than 100,000 young people aged 12 to 15 have booked their covid vaccine since Friday.

Now that you can book direct via the National Booking Service or by phone, the process is straightforward:

You can book your appointment here or phone 119.

Never too late to get your vaccination

Everyone aged 12 and over can get a covid vaccination – and it’s not too late if you have declined one so far!

• book online here
• phone for free on 119
• book a jab with your GP
• find a walk-in vaccination site here

If you don’t have symptoms

Anyone in West Lancashire is eligible to free lateral flow tests for themselves and their families to use twice a week.

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 have symptoms

You will need to self-isolate and get a PCR test here.

If you have a positive test, you can apply for financial support here.

Vaccine safety information

If you are unsure or anxious about getting your covid vaccination, do look at this free and easy to read guide produced by the British Society for Immunology. 

It looks at all the commons questions and gives up to date information.

Download it here

Pregnancy and covid vaccinations

Hot off the press - a new infographic to explain the latest evidence that COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy are safe and effective.  

Created by expert reproductive immunologist, Dr Viki Male from Imperial College London, you can download it here.

Mental health support for emergency services

If you know someone working or volunteering in the emergency services, do let them know about Blue Light Together, a new hub for mental health information and support created by Mind:

https://bluelighttogether.org.uk/

World Stroke Day 2021

Today is World Stroke Day and the #Precioustime campaign is aiming to make people better aware of the signs of stroke. 

The campaign is hugely relevant for Lancashire and South Cumbria, where many stroke patients are seeking help too late to benefit from lifesaving or disability-reducing treatments.

Health and care partners across Lancashire and South Cumbria will be supporting the message to act ‘F.A.S.T.’ to save lives:

• F = Face drooping 
• A = Arm weakness 
• S = Speech difficulties 
• T = Time to call 999

For more information:  www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/2021/10/world-stroke-day-dont-miss-out-on-precioustime/

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: