ORMSKIRK & WEST LANCASHIRE
18 March 2020
Vol 27 l Issue 12
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BOROUGH BEGINS TO FEEL EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS Visiting restricted at hospitals and volunteer groups formed to help the vulnerable ... but Ormskirk Market set to go ahead as usual
AS the coronavirus begins to have an increasing effect on residents, public services, businesses and leisure activities in West Lancashire, local authorities have again sought to reassure the public. And although there were no confirmed cases in the borough itself at the time of going to press, the epidemic has also inspired examples of community spirit with social media groups recruiting volunteers to help those who might be most vulnerable if restrictions on social contact are extended . Meanwhile the threat of the virus being spread has prompted the Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals Trust to restrict visiting at both sites. However, Ormskirk Market is set to go ahead as usual on Thursday and Saturday. According to the latest figures published by Public Health England there are now eight cases of the virus in the Lancashire County Council area, including three in Chorley, two in South Ribble and one in Fylde. Information about the latest two cases has not yet been released. Lancashire County Council's director of public health and wellbeing, Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, said: “The latest advice issued highlights that the most common symptoms of coronavirus are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature. Anyone with these symptoms, however mild, should stay at home and not go out from 14 days of when they started. “You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-
by Henry James & Kenny Parker isolation. However, if your symptoms worsen or you are feeling no better after 14 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you don't have Internet access call NHS 111. “The general advice to everyone remains the same, to practise good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve rather than your hands before washing your hands or using a hand sanitising gel. “I’d like to reassure people that we are doing everything we reasonably can to stop the virus spreading and ensure people are protected.” West Lancs Council also reiterated assurance to residents that it has policies and business continuity plans in place to deal with the pressures presented by coronavirus. Currently the authority says key front-line services are unaffected but they are “constantly reviewing” plans and services against the daily guidance they are receiving from the Government. A meeting of the council’s Standards Committee scheduled for yesterday (Tuesday, March 17) was cancelled, due to the advice received in relation to the coronavirus. A borough council spokesman said: “We also continue to receive updates from Public Health
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Visiting is being restricted at Ormskirk Hospital.
England and we are in regular contact with the Lancashire Resilience Forum. The council will share and signpost key messages and advice across our website and social media to keep local people informed and safe in the coming months.” Council leader, Councillor Ian Moran, added: “We are receiving daily updates from the Government and working to review our policies and services to deal with the pressures created by coronavirus. We would appeal to everyone to help us by following the guidance issued by the NHS and the Government and accessing our services online.” Lancashire Local Resilience Forum has the primary responsibility for planning for and responding to any major emergency, including a pandemic, in the county. The LRF includes representatives from key emergency responders and specific supporting organisations including local authorities, health and other government agencies. It is meeting on a regular basis at a strategic and tactical level to
ensure that the county is prepared to respond to any confirmed cases of COVID-19, with a focus on business continuity. All visiting at Southport and Ormskirk hospitals will be restricted from today (Wednesday, March 18) following Government advice to avoid all unnecessary contact and travel. Families and friends of patients with either suspected or confirmed Covid-19 infection are asked not to visit hospital other than in exceptional circumstances. For all other patients visiting is restricted to a named individual for one hour a day. Separate arrangements will apply to the following: l Maternity and women in labour - one partner per patient. l Child inpatients - one carer per child. l Accident and emergency department - one person per patient. Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has advised that visitors speak to the relevant ward or Continued inside
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