text: This page last updated on 15 May 2020
  Local Government Association's Response to COVID-19 Care Home Resilience Plan
  RESPONDING to the publication of the Government's Care Home Resilience Plan announced by the Health Secretary at the Downing Street briefing, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "This package of support is a recognition of Councils' vital leadership role in our national effort to combat Coronavirus and protect our elderly and most vulnerable. Social Care is the frontline in the battle against this dreadful disease. As this plan makes clear, Councils have a close relationship with their local care homes and are already working alongside NHS leaders and with people using Social Care Services. Councils will be reviewing their existing plans to continue supporting them and ensure those who rely on and work in Social Care are able to stay safe and well. Other aspects of care homes which Councils do not have direct control over, such as the long term future of the care home market, need to be met by Government. In particular, we know that some of these new measures will need ongoing funding and resources beyond what has already been made available to Councils and providers. It is good news that government has committed to working with Councils on future funding support, this needs to be made available as soon as possible to help meet increasing demand and costs."
  Increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes later in life for child abuse survivors, new study finds
  PEOPLE who have experienced maltreatment during childhood are significantly more likely to develop conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes in adulthood, a new UK study has found.
  This study, led by the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick, reviewed anonymous data from 241,971 patients using medical records from GP surgeries between 1995 and 2018. 80, 657 patients were identified to have a history of childhood maltreatment compared with a control group of 161 314 unexposed patients. The study is the first to use UK primary care data to explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment and cardio metabolic disease.
  Results of the study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, showed that those with a history of childhood maltreatment were 71% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and 42% percent more likely to develop high blood pressure as well as the risk of developing type 2 diabetes doubled. Patients were also at a 75% increased risk of dying of any other cause during the study period.
  Although the research could not ascertain why this relationship exists, previous research suggests that exposure to childhood maltreatment can influence the alteration of the immune, metabolic, neuroendocrine, and the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, this group may experience greater exposure to other risk factors which may be associated with cardio metabolic disease.
  Lead author Dr Joht Chandan of the University of Birmingham's Institute of Applied Health Research and Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick said:- "Considering the high prevalence of childhood maltreatment globally, these findings suggest a substantial, but preventable burden of cardio metabolic disease. The findings are particularly notable within the United Kingdom, where conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes pose an increasing burden on the health service. Considering that an estimated 1 in 4 children within the UK are affected by maltreatment, our findings could suggest that a significant proportion of the cardio-metabolic disease cases may be attributable to maltreatment. Therefore, there is a clear public health message that requires a population; based approach to not only prevent childhood maltreatment, but also the negative consequences as a result of it."
  This latest study adds to a growing body of research published by the team at the 2 Universities examining the physical and psychological effects of domestic abuse and childhood maltreatment. Earlier this year, the team published research that found that women who have experienced domestic abuse are 40% more likely to die from any cause compared to the general population while a study in 2019 found that abused or neglected children are four times more likely to develop serious mental illness.
  New UK Covid-19 Alert System
  TODAY the UK's Prime Minister has introduced a new 5 level alert system for Covid-19, that helps the Government to decide how tough social-distancing measures should be implemented, based on the UK's R Level:-
  Level What sets the level of the outbreak Measures that will be used
  5 Material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed. Full Lockdown - Extremely strict social distancing.
  4 A high or rising level of transmission - Social distancing will be fully implemented and enforced.
  3 The virus is in general circulation in the UK. Restrictions will be relaxed or introduced gradually. For example, social distancing is started to be relaxed or stepped up,
  2 The number of Covid-19 cases and transmission of the virus is low. Minimal social distancing will be used.
  1 Covid-19 is no longer present in the UK - No social distancing. Monitoring will continue as routine both in UK and internationally.
  The R Level is the Covid-19's reproduction number, a scientific measure of how fast the virus is spreading.
  Should we really be looking at opening UK's Schools?
  AS the UK Government says we are past the peek, we are told that School's could be re-opened in stages very soon, but is that risking a second peek, as many are worried about. We would love to know what your thoughts on this very political and ethical question that are being raised, especially as the R rate is going up again. Please email us your thoughts on this to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
  Today the teaching unions have said that they want the Government to "step back" from the plan to restart Schooling next month. this has been backed by the British Medical Association (BMA) has thrown its weight behind the UK's Teaching Unions who are opposing the Government's push to reopen Schools, within England. The largest Doctors' Union within the UK has said within a letter to the National Education Union that they are:- "absolutely right" to urge caution and prioritise testing before reopening Schools, on 1 June 2020.
  Within our area, the issue has been highlighted even more, after Liverpool's Mayor, Joe Anderson said the City Council had "a safeguarding responsibility" to children and staff. He added:- "We have the power to stop Schools reopening and will use it if it is necessary."
  Interestingly, Liverpool City Council has not clarified if any attempts to stop Schools from reopening, if this halt would cover only Local Authority Schools within the City or if it would also include academies and free Schools.
  A letter we have been given, that was sent out to parents at Alsop High School, who are a Community School, located in Liverpool, said:- "Dear Parents and Carers, As you will be aware, the Prime Minister announced on Sunday that secondary Schools can reopen from 1 June 2020, at the earliest for children beyond key worker and vulnerable children, specifically those in Years 10 and 12;in line with Liverpool Council's position it is likely any increase in student numbers will not occur at Alsop until Monday, 15 June 2020, at the earliest. We are currently undertaking a robust risk assessment to determine how the government guidance can be implemented to ensure the safety of our pupils and staff, but I must make clear that this will not be lessons as normal; it will be small group work at best and parents and carers should not expect their children to be in for full days or to be in more than a handful of times before the Summer holiday. Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary announced that the latest scientific evidence indicates it is safe for more children to return to School from 1June, but numbers will be limited and protective measures will be introduced to prevent transmission. Nothing can replace being in the classroom, which is why the Government want to get children back as soon as it is safe to do so. However, they will continue to be led by the scientific evidence and will only take further steps when the time is right. Whilst there will be no penalty for families who do not send their children to School, families are encouraged to take up these places. The exceptions are if a child or a family member is shielding as they are in the extremely vulnerable category or the child or a member of the household has symptoms of the virus, in which case they should remain at home. Parents and carers of children who are in the vulnerable category should take medical advice as to whether it is safe for them to return. To implement the detailed planning required for a potential return to School, it would be very helpful for us to ascertain the number of children we expect to return in June. I would appreciate it if parents and carers of children in all year groups complete the very short survey available below by no later than Sunday 17 May at 6pm. Even if you have had a discussion with a member of staff about your intentions, please complete the survey. Vulnerable children and children of key workers are also eligible to attend, regardless of year group as long as they can be safely accommodated...." The letter continued... "I appreciate this is a deeply unsettling time for us all and I want to reassure you that whilst we want our pupils back in the classroom where they belong, this will only happen once I am convinced that the appropriate safety measures can be implemented. By completing the survey, this will inform our risk assessment and planning so I would like to extend my appreciation of your cooperation in advance." This was signed by the Headteacher, Mr C Wilson.
  Our Twitter pole did not get a huge response to our question:- "Do you agree with Mayor Anderson that Schools shouldn't go back until our area has lower infection rates and adequate protection for both staff and pupils?" But it did show that of those who responded:- 76% said:- "Yes!" 22% said:- "No!" and 2% said they:- "Don't know..."
  What are your views on this complex issue:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com?
  THE latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) laboratory confirmed UK cases is 236,711, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals. The daily number of laboratory confirmed UK cases is 3,560, as of Friday, 15 May 2020. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is 33,998. Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths added to the total on 15 May was reported to be 384 according to the Department of Health. The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
  ► Liverpool, 1,526 confirmed cases.
  ► Sefton, 883 confirmed cases.
  ► Wirral, 1,163 confirmed cases.
  ► St. Helens, 716 confirmed cases.
  ► Halton, 357 confirmed cases.
  ► Lancashire, 3,299 confirmed cases.
  ► Cheshire West and Chester, 974 confirmed cases.
  ► Cheshire East, 1,071 confirmed cases.
  ► Manchester, 1,395 confirmed cases.
  ► Stockport, 998 confirmed cases.
  ► Trafford, 726 confirmed cases.
  ► Wigan, 1,080 confirmed cases.
  ► Bolton, 929 confirmed cases.
  ► Rochdale, 688 confirmed cases.
  ► Bury, 655 confirmed cases.
  ► Tameside, 590 confirmed cases.
  ► Oldham, 985 confirmed cases.
  ► Blackburn with Darwen, 379 confirmed cases..
  These stats are according to Public Health England as of 15/05/2020. Last updated 6.19pm GMT. UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs).. UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs).