• After last week's government dashboard showed a sharp increase in the number of Covid cases in West Lancs, we got in touch with them and they have confirmed now that it was in fact a data issue rather than a real increase**.   
• It's reassuring to know that the decline in cases that we first reported in mid January has continued over the last few weeks and into this week too.

• The number of people admitted to hospital in West Lancs has increased but is still only around one-third of last January's peak. 

• See the situation in your postcode here.

• Across the UK as a whole, the number of cases continues to drop.  This graph from the Guardian this week shows where we currently are compared to the previous peaks. 
• Case numbers are still above the height of last January’s peak, but thankfully hospitalisations and deaths are much lower - due to the vaccinations reducing the risk of severe infection and hospitalisations.

** Dashboard data issue:   from January 31st, the government started counting Covid re-infections in their covid case figures and all the retrospective cases were added to the Dashboard that day. On a national level, the figures could be back dated but at local authority level they couldn't back date and therefore these were all counted in January 31st's case numbers. This 'data dump' skewed the case numbers and the 7 day average from Jan 31st , and resulted in an incorrect percentage increase showing on the Dashboard for most of last week. This issue has now worked it's way through and the figures reflect the true picture again.

Why get vaccinated?

1. Vaccination reduces your chance of developing Long Covid:  

A new study says vaccination reduces your chance of getting Long Covid by 41%. The study by the Office for National Statistics found that people with covid who had had two vaccine doses reported much less long covid symptoms than those who were unvaccinated. See the full study here.

2. Vaccination reduces Covid severity:

Getting vaccinated may not stop you getting the virus completely but will reduce how severe it is.  

Data out of Switzerland this week shows the stark difference in death rates between those vaccinated and those not:

3. It's easier to travel abroad if you're vaccinated

• From today, fully vaccinated passengers and under 18s do not need to take a test on arrival when arriving in the UK.
• Arrivals who are not fully vaccinated need proof of a negative pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the UK.

See more information here.

4.  Covid vaccinations provide strong protection for pregnant women:

• The majority of pregnant women who have been admitted to hospital with severe Covid are unvaccinated. 
• COVID-19 vaccinations provide strong protection for pregnant women against the virus. 
• Pregnant women who have not yet had their first, second, third or booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are being urged: ‘don’t wait to take the vaccine’.

It's never too late to come forward for the Covid vaccination. 

Last week in the UK 

83,042  people had their 1st dose

147,087  people had their 2nd dose

• Find out where to collect FREE lateral flow tests here. Or

• Order FREE home testing kits online here.

If you test positive: The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme is still available for eligible West Lancs residents until 31 March 2022.  Find out more here

How the tests differ:

The BBC produced a useful summary this week of how lateral flows and PCRs differ in their detection times:

Household Support Fund

Do you know anyone who need a bit of extra financial support this winter?

West Lancashire Borough Council is welcoming applications from residents who don't have enough resources to meet their immediate short-term needs and need help with essential items such as food, energy, bills, clothing and more.

Find out more about the Household Support Fund and how to apply here.

Self-isolation support

If you know anyone self-isolating with Covid, they can find support from the new Isolation Station for residents across Lancashire.

Whether it's exercise, wellbeing or cooking, there are plenty of ideas on how to keep busy during their time indoors.  

There's plenty of support resources too, and join the 10-day challenge for a chance to win a TV!

Find more information here.

Lots of voluntary sector groups have exciting activities for anyone wanting to re-engage with their communities and connect with other people:

Hesketh Bank and Tarleton Helpers' Community Cafe and shop

From today onwards, the Helpers' wonderful volunteers are working in partnership with Birchwood to use food donated by supermarkets to cook up a tasty lunch every Friday at Hesketh Bank Community Centre, 12 noon-2pm. 

Anyone is welcome to drop in for lunch and donated food is available to take away, too. 

No need to book, and it's all free (donations welcome if you can afford it) 

The Ecumenical Centre

There's lots going on at The Eccy in Skelmersdale.  Check out their new website  and their new timetable of activities and sessions:

The Civic, Ormskirk

There's plenty happening at the Civic this month.  If you want to get active, check out their keep fit, line dancing, Clubbercise and much more here.

Run by a local social enterprise, there's something for everyone!

Mere Sands Woods

Mere Sands nature reserve re-opened again last week.  

As well as being a birder’s paradise, it's home to a whole host of fascinating wildlife, and mammal-lovers can enjoy spotting roe deer, stoats and fox in the broad-leaved and conifer woodland.

A great place for a crisp winter walk this weekend, and keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers and fabulous fungi.

They recently opened their new building, so why not finish with a brew and a slice of cake from the café!  More information here.

AppleCast

AppleCast in Newburgh is open 7 days a week 10am-3pm, and makes a great day out.

Run by local charity Applecast as an alternative education centre for young people needing support, it has a farm, lovely cafe, and garden centre.

Enjoy feeding the alpacas, sheep, ponies, goats and chickens, while stocking up on some spring plants.

Just £3 parking which includes a FREE hot drink!

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: