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Author: Martin Driver

Localised testing will help identify and isolate new COVID variant cases in Sefton

13 May 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Local coronavirus testing is being introduced in Sefton’s Formby area in response to recent COVID-19 outbreaks, which showed cases of the variant first identified in India.

Starting from Friday 14th May, mobile, drive-through test centres will be set up at Deansgate Lane Park in Formby (L37 3LF) and at Ainsdale Hope on Sandringham Road (PR8 2PJ), and there will be a walk-through test centre at Sefton Professional Development Centre (PDC) on Park Road (L37 6EW).

The Deansgate drive-through test centre will be open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and the PDC on Park Lane will be open between 9am and 4pm seven days a week.

The test centre at Ainsdale will be open from 9am until 4pm on Friday 14th May, but from Saturday 15th May will be open 9am to 8pm seven days a week.

Appointments are not needed for tests at any of these centres.

There are also pop-up test sites at Formby and Freshfields rail stations.

Open 9am to 4pm until Friday 21 May, between 9am and 4pm, the two sites will be offering PCR tests to people without COVID-19 symptoms as part of efforts to find cases of the virus variant first identified in India. The teams at the pop-ups will also be handing out free home testing kits and will be joined by Community COVID Engagement Officers who can provide vaccination advice.

Identified sites

 Sefton’s Director of Public Health, Margaret Jones said: “Working with Public Health England, in response to a localised outbreak of infections and cases of the variant first identified in India, we have identified sites for test centres in and around Formby.

“We are encouraging everyone aged over 16 who lives, works or studies in Formby to attend one of these dedicated local test sites, once they are open.

“Anyone who has visited any venue in Formby over the last 2 weeks is also welcome to be tested at these test sites.”

Dedicated

She continued: “It’s important that people go to these dedicated test sites and not to our other sites, as these are the ones specifically set up to identify the Indian variant.”

This variant, which has been classified by Public Health England as a ‘variant of concern’, has been linked with coronavirus cases in Sefton’s Formby area.

Confident

Mrs Jones added:

“This variant, which was first identified in India, is not thought to affect people more seriously, inhibit the effectiveness of the vaccines, or to be more infectious than the dominant Kent variant. However, identifying cases is important so that infections can be identified, traced and contained before they spread any further will support the return to a more normal life that we all want to see.

“I am confident that our local communities will, as they did in Southport earlier this year, help us by taking part in this local, dedicated testing.”

Vaccinations

People across Sefton are being reminded of the need to continue taking every precaution, getting tested and registering the results. And it is important that people go along to get their first and second vaccination jabs when they are offered them. You can now get the COVID-19 vaccine if you’re aged 38 and over or if your 38th birthday is between now and 1st July. You can book your appointment online or by phone.

Anyone with the coronavirus symptoms of a new, persistent cough, a fever or loss of taste or smell to self-isolate and book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

And, whether vaccinated or not, it’s still important that people going to work or out and about take rapid tests, which are free and widely available across the Borough, twice a week.

Rapid home test kits can be collected from Bootle Town Hall and Splash World in Southport from 8am-8pm seven days a week. No appointments are needed.

Rapid tests

Rapid tests for people without coronavirus symptoms usually provide a result in around 30 minutes. Rapid testing involves taking a throat & nasal swab, dropping the sample into the container supplied and then checking the result after 20 to 30 minutes.

Kits can also be collected between 2.30pm and 8pm, seven days a week, from walk-through Local Test Centres opposite Bootle Town Hall and at Crosby Library Car Park, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall. No appointments are needed.

They are available from all Sefton’s pharmacies and they can be ordered online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

Assisted

People can also choose to have assisted testing at one of Sefton’s Rapid test sites, which are also open 8am to 8pm seven days a week and located at Bootle Leisure Centre and at Splash World in Southport.

Anyone without symptoms can visit the asymptomatic test sites at Bootle Town Hall and Splash World in Southport from 8am-8pm seven days a week, no appointments are needed.

Home Testing Kits can also be collected between 2.30pm and 8pm, seven days a week, from walk-through Local Test Centres opposite Bootle Town Hall and at Crosby Library Car Park, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall. No appointments are needed.

Sefton Council has a range of schemes, grants, information and advice available to anyone who may be struggling financially due to Covid, or who may need support when Self Isolating. More information is available at www.sefton.gov.uk/COVID-testing.

 

Calling all Sefton businesses: tickets now available for the Good Business Festival July 2021

13 May 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News

The Good Business Festival marks the launch of general release tickets today with a creative advertising campaign on the streets of the Liverpool City Region, highlighting the event themes of housing, ethical consumerism, sustainable food, and inclusion.  

Commissioned by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, the Good Business Festival is a not-for-profit three-day event, which will take place Wednesday 7th to Friday 9th July at venues across the Liverpool City Region.

Aiming to tackle the world’s greatest challenges, the event will bring together the smartest minds to think big, galvanise our ambitions and focus on progress and not perfection. 

All ticket revenue will be donated directly to LCR Cares – a local community fund established by Mayor Rotheram – with tickets priced from as little as ÂŁ10 for a one-day pass. Purchase your tickets here: https://thegoodbusinessfestival.com/tickets/

With more than 70 sessions in six boroughs across 10 venues with leading business experts and creative minds, the festival will explore the economic, environmental, consumer and technological challenges our society faces, as well as offering ideas, inspiration and practical solutions.  

Watch this space for more information about Sefton’s role in the business event and how the Council’s InvestSefton service will be highlighting how they can support businesses across the borough.

InvestSefton leads on and supports economic growth in the borough and is the Council’s enterprise, business support and inward investment service. To find out how InvestSefton can help your business contact 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or visit www.investsefton.com.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has dealt a hammer blow to people and businesses across our region and around the world but, with the rollout of vaccines gathering pace, there is now hope that the end is in sight. 

“Throughout the last few years, we’ve invested in an unprecedented package of support to protect and grow the local economy and launched projects like the Good Business Festival to reimagine, improve and reshape the way that we do business.

“We’ve also been leading the way in getting back to in-person events, so it would be fantastic to see as many people as there as possible to help us debate and imagine the positive, ethical future we want.” 

Also running from 7-9 July, The Good Business Festival Youth Summit will delve into themes including climate change, food production and distribution, oceans, activism and role models. More than 1,110 primary and secondary school children have been invited to attend across two days in the spectacular Knowsley Hall and Safari Park.

Hosted by TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham the event will feature inspiring interactive sessions from partners including the UK Youth Parliament and the British Antarctic Survey.

Mayor Rotheram added: “For too long, leaders have made decisions about the future without consulting with the young people whose future it really affects. I want to change that. It’s fantastic that we’ll be joined by Chris Packham and some local young people, who will be bringing their enthusiasm, ideas and vision for how we can build a better future.”

Wayne Hemingway MBE, Creative Director, The Good Business Festival, commented: â€œThe Good Business Festival will tackle the big challenges that our society faces, from creating sustainable food to better housing, and examining how business can become a force for positive change.  Tickets are now on sale from only ÂŁ10 and all proceeds go to local Liverpool City Region charities. We’d all be daft not to be a part of it!”

New, smart COVID testing centre for Bootle’s Strand

13 May 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council, Uncategorized

Sefton Council is moving its RAPID coronavirus testing centre for people with no symptoms from Bootle Leisure Centre to Bootle’s Strand shopping centre.

From 9am on Saturday 15th May, people without COVID-19 symptoms will be able to get a test, with a result in as little as 30 minutes, at the town centre location.

Specially adapted

Bootle Strand owner, Sefton Council, has specially adapted the former H Samuel unit in the Strand for people to come along and take a RAPID test safely. It will be open seven days a week.

The Strand site replaces the Bootle Leisure Test Centre, which will close at 5pm on Friday 14th May.

Tell-tale symptoms

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Around one third of people with coronavirus do not show any of the tell-tale symptoms so by taking regular rapid tests, we can check if we’re one of these asymptomatic carriers to help make sure we don’t pass on the virus accidentally.

“I’m glad that we can now provide the facility where people can take those rapid tests and collect free home testing kits at this convenient Bootle town centre location.”

Sefton’s other RAPID test site is at Southport’s Splash World.

Results

Rapid home testing kits involves taking a throat & nasal swab, dropping the sample into the container supplied and then checking for the result after 20 to 30 minutes.

As well as both RAPID testing sites, kits are available from any Sefton pharmacy and between 2.30pm and 8pm, seven days a week from the Borough’s walk-through Local Test Centres. These are located opposite Bootle Town Hall and at Crosby Library Car Park, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall and are open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Relaxed

Cllr Maher added: “Now that lockdown restrictions are being relaxed and more people are going out to their workplaces, going for a drink or meal at a pub or restaurant or meeting up with friends and family outside, taking regular rapid tests is increasingly important to keeping down the spread of COVID.

“Any of us who is regularly out and coming into regular contact with others needs to be taking a RAPID test as often as twice a week.”

Assisted

People who aren’t confident about taking a rapid test at home can choose to go for an assisted test at Sefton’s new Bootle Strand or Southport Splash World test sites.

Cllr Maher continued: “RAPID tests will help to finding those of us who do not show the key coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell.

“But it is still vital that anyone who does develop these symptoms or does get a positive test self-isolates for 10 days and immediately books a PCR test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or phoning 119.”

Eligible people who test positive are entitled to the ÂŁ500 Test and Trace Support Payment in the same way as a regular swab test through NHS Test and Trace.

Find out more about testing and self-isolating in Sefton. 

Ninety-seven per-cent of households respond to Census 2021

12 May 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

The response to Census 2021 has exceeded all expectations, with 97 per cent of households across England and Wales making sure they count when it comes to local services like school places, GP surgeries and hospital beds. This is above the pre-census target of 94 per cent, while all local authorities have seen over 90 per cent of households respond, exceeding an 80 per cent target.

Important insight

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Thank you to those who have completed their questionnaire. The census provides an important insight into our community and it is great to see that so many Sefton residents have taken part. This will ensure going forward we understand the needs of our community.”

“It is important that those who are eligible, and haven’t already completed a questionnaire do so, or they could face a £1,000 fine if they do not complete an online form by the 17th May.”

Amazing response

Deputy National Statistician Iain Bell, from The Office for National Statistics said: “We’ve had an amazing response to Census 2021. Those who have taken part have done so to ensure they are represented for their local area.”

“ I’d like to thank everyone who has filled out their form so far as well as all the community groups, organisations and local authorities who have helped us make this census a success.”

Time running out

Although Census Day – Sunday 21 March 2021 – has been and gone it is not too late to complete the online questionnaire. It only takes around 10 minutes per person. Time is running out as this online option will close on 17 May. After this only paper questionnaires will be available. If you have lost the letter or have a second address you have not visited, go to http://www.census.gov.uk to request an online completion code for your address via SMS text message.

Local census support centres have now closed but help and paper questionnaires are still available through the census contact centre on freephone 0800 141 2021 in England and 0800 169 2021 in Wales.

Fines

If people refuse to take part, they could be taken to court and issued with a ÂŁ1,000 fine and criminal record. The census non-compliance operation will begin on May 25.

Now the main census field operation has ended, around 350,000 households across England and Wales are being invited to take part in the Census Coverage Survey (CCS). This short, separate, interviewer-led survey will enable the ONS to get a final view of the response rates.

Since 4th May , a sample of households have been receiving a card through the post asking them to take part in the CCS. After that, an interviewer, following the government’s COVID-19 guidelines, will visit the address and fill in the questionnaire on the doorstep. The interviewer will be able to show an ID badge on a Census 2021 branded lanyard. For more information on the CCS visit Census Coverage Survey – Census 2021.

Council leader responds to Borough’s Indian COVID-19 variant links

11 May 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council

Responding to news that the Indian COVID variant, which has been classified by Public Health England as a ‘variant of concern’, has been linked with coronavirus cases in the Borough, Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said:

“We understand that while it has been detected locally, this variant does not seem to affect people more seriously or inhibit the effectiveness of the vaccines currently being rolled out across the UK.

“Also, it doesn’t appear to be more infectious than the Kent variant, which is now the dominant strain in Britain.

“Sefton Council will be working closely with Public Health England and other partners to provide all the local knowledge and expertise it can to support any work that is required to identify and contain the variant.”

Vaccination, testing and following rules

Cllr Maher continued: “Vaccination, testing and all of us following the rules on distancing, face-covering and handwashing are all still key to preventing the spread of COVID.

“It is vital that people go along to get their first and second vaccination jabs when they are offered them. You can now get the COVID-19 vaccine if you’re aged 40 or over or if your 40th birthday is between now and 1st July. You can book your appointment online or by phone.

“And, whether vaccinated or not, it’s still important that those of us going to work or out and about regularly continue to take the rapid tests, which are free and widely available across the Borough, twice a week.”

Cllr Maher went on to add that anyone with the coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell, should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

Face coverings

With some pupil groups having been sent home from Sefton schools this week, Cllr Maher also stressed the importance of pupils and staff in secondary schools wearing face covering in schools.

Cllr Maher continued: “As well as in secondary schools, the rest of us need to remember the need to wear face coverings when we go into shops and other locations and use public transport.

“We all need to be taking care in inside spaces and sticking closely to the 2m distancing to protect ourselves and those around us including our friends and family, who may be vulnerable to the serious effects of COVID-19.”

Sefton has two SMART test sites for people without symptoms, at Bootle Leisure Centre and at Splash World in Southport which are open 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

Home testing

Rapid home test kits can be collected from Bootle Town Hall and Splash World in Southport from 8am-8pm seven days a week. No appointments are needed.

Rapid tests for people without coronavirus symptoms usually provide a result in around 30 minutes. Rapid testing involves taking a throat & nasal swab, dropping the sample into the container supplied and then checking the result after 20 to 30 minutes.

Kits can also be collected between 2.30pm and 8pm, seven days a week, from walk-through Local Test Centres opposite Bootle Town Hall and at Crosby Library Car Park, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall. No appointments are needed.

Pharmacies

They are available from all Sefton’s pharmacies and they can be ordered online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

People can also choose to have assisted testing at one of Sefton’s SMART test sites, which are also open 8am to 8pm seven days a week and located at Bootle Leisure Centre and at Splash World in Southport.

Anyone who gets a positive result from a rapid test can book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

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