Author: Martin Driver

Today, Tuesday 21 July, is the first of three days of coronavirus mobile testing at Bootle Town Hall.

Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG are supporting the Mobile Test Sites, which provide clinical diagnosis tests to tell people if they currently have the Covid-19 virus.

Tests are available for anyone but they need to have made an appointment first at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.  Essential workers still need to book through www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers.

Key NHS employees can attend regional testing sites at Liverpool John Lennon Airport as well as Haydock and Manchester Airport without the need for an appointment.

Testing is vital to the ongoing work to overcome COVID-19 and enables key workers who test negative to return to that work. Approaching 6,000 people have already been tested so far at Sefton’s Mobile Test Sites, which have been supported by Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG.

Following news of an increase in confirmed cases of young people with coronavirus in south Liverpool, Sefton Council’s Interim Director of Public Health has joined Liverpool health bosses in reminding people in that age group that they are susceptible to infection by COVID-19.

Over the past fortnight, around half of the 30 cases confirmed in the south Liverpool area have been people aged 15-24. This has led health official in the city to issue a reminder that the illness can infect anyone, regardless of age.

Young people reminded coronavirus symptoms may be mild but you’re still infectious to friends & loved ones.

Through the Government’s NHS Test and Trace service, anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted and will need to share information about their recent interactions. It is important you follow the NHS guidance to stop the spread of coronavirus in Sefton.

Find out more about the NHS Test and Trace service.

Sefton  residents will have more opportunities to exercise and stay physically healthy as restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus are gradually lifted a range of facilities and services are beginning to re-open and start up again.

Crosby’s Lakeside Adventure Centre, where staff are following strict government guidelines to help continue the fight against COVID-19, has now reopened with an exciting series of events.

Find out more about what’s happening at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre.

However, the Government’s guidance suggesting that facilities such as playgrounds and outdoor gyms should be constantly sanitised, which would require staffing. With over 100 sites and more than 2,000 items of equipment, this just simply isn’t possible with the Council’s resources.

A spokesperson for the Council said: “The Council’s priority is keeping all our residents, especially children, safe which means this equipment will remain out of use for the time being.

“This is an ever-evolving situation, and as always, we will closely monitor further guidance from government as to when we can safely reopen our play areas and outdoor gyms.”

Active Sefton is making preparations to re-open its gyms, in line with the Government’s guidance and plan to announce an opening date soon. Increased cleaning schedules and sanitiser stations, online booking, additional work-out and changing space and direction signs will be among her measures in place when they do open. Staff will undergo additional training to help them keep visitors and themselves safe and users will be asked to follow new protocols.

Find out more about Active Sefton’s preparations.

Physical exercise, which can range from a gym or home work-out to going for a walk contributes to people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Fresh air, eating healthy and well-balanced meals, drinking enough water, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking, alcohol and drugs are also positive measures to staying well.

There is a section Health and Wellbeing Directory on the Sefton Council website, which contains advice and details of the support available during the coronavirus pandemic.

There will be one day of coronavirus mobile testing at Maghull’s Meadows Leisure Centre on Thursday 16 July followed by four days at Southport Eco Centre, from Friday 17 to Monday 20 July.

Mobile Test Sites are supported by Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG. They provide clinical diagnosis tests to tell people if they currently have the Covid-19 virus.

Tests are available for anyone but they need to have made an appointment first at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.  Essential workers still need to book through www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers.

Key NHS can attend regional testing sites at Liverpool John Lennon Airport as well as Haydock and Manchester Airport without the need for an appointment.

Testing is vital to the ongoing work to overcome COVID-19 and enables key workers who test negative to return to that work. Approaching 6,000 people have already been tested so far at Sefton’s Mobile Test Sites, which have been supported by Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG.

Following news of an increase in confirmed cases of young people with coronavirus in south Liverpool, Sefton Council’s Interim Director of Public Health has joined Liverpool health bosses in reminding people in that age group that they are susceptible to infection by COVID-19.

Over the past fortnight, around half of the 30 cases confirmed in the south Liverpool area have been people aged 15-24. This has led health official in the city to issue a reminder that the illness can infect anyone, regardless of age.

Young people reminded coronavirus symptoms may be mild but you’re still infectious to friends & loved ones.

Through the Government’s NHS Test and Trace service, anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted and will need to share information about their recent interactions. It is important you follow the NHS guidance to stop the spread of coronavirus in Sefton.

Find out more about the NHS Test and Trace service.

Following news of an increase in confirmed cases of young people with coronavirus in south Liverpool, Sefton Council’s Interim Director of Public Health has joined Liverpool health bosses in reminding people in that age group that they are susceptible to infection by COVID-19.

Over the past fortnight, around half of the 30 cases confirmed in the south Liverpool area have been people aged 15-24. This has led health official in the city to issue a reminder that the illness can infect anyone, regardless of age.

This weekend, Matt Ashton, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said: “Everyone is at risk of COVID-19, but we know that there is a perception among younger people that they are less at risk.

“The easing of the lockdown means this is a really dangerous moment for case numbers, and we need people not to let their guard down and throw away all of the sacrifices we have made since March.

“We owe it to each other to take precautions and look after each other, regardless of their age.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Interim Director of Public Health said: “Although young people often have no or very mild symptoms, they can unknowingly pass the virus onto their loved ones and friends who might end up with a much nastier bout of the virus and become seriously ill.

“The restriction we have all been facing may have been particularly hard for many young people, and that meeting up with family and friends is really important for everyone’s wellbeing.

“However, it remains vital that we remember and follow the guidelines to keep our loved ones safe and to drive down the virus.”

Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health in Knowsley, added: “I can’t stress enough how important it is to stay at home if you develop symptoms and get tested, particularly with lockdown measures easing and pubs and bars now reopening.

“It is so important that social distancing is part of your everyday life – you don’t know who has it and who could be spreading it, but if you’re within 2 metres of them for more than 15 minutes and they test positive, you will have to self-isolate for 14 days.”

As well as the need to follow guidance on hand-washing, maintaining two-metre distancing and using face coverings on public transport and in supermarkets, young people are also being reminded of the importance of responding if contacted through the NHS Test and Trace service.

Margaret Jones added: “It is really important that as well as following the NHS guidance about distancing and hand-washing, people of all ages participate fully in the NHS Test and Trace process to prevent the ongoing spread of this deadly virus.”

“Test and Trace staff don’t care what people have been doing when they contact them. They are there to help the individuals they call, make sure they have the right information and support they need to isolate.”

If people are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service it means they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus they should visit https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk and register. They will be asked to provide some information, confidentially, about your health and will be given advice to keep yourself and others safe.

Find out more about the NHS Test and Trace service.