Daily coronavirus briefing

The number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Lancashire since the start of the pandemic is now 76,471. View email online

Subscribe Dec 31, 2020 Good evening and welcome to the last newsletter of the year. Safe to say many of us will not be particularly sad to say goodbye to 2020, the year which boasted the plot of a dystopian Hollywood sci-fi film and has changed the course of our society in many ways, forever. Here in Lancashire there was a final twist in the tale as we were plunged into a Tier 4 lockdown from today as cases continue to rise across the country. Lancashire's public health chief Dr Sakthi Karunanithi has made it clear this is a necessary action at a 'critical point' of the pandemic, saying: " I would urge everyone to play their part to stop the spread.' But it is a further blow to businesses and those they employ with Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce saying: "Whilst we accept the government must act in the best interests of public health, it must also address the economic consequences of its actions." Although this will be a tough start to 2021 we must remember how we pulled together here in Lancashire over the past year. We have proven without a shadow of a doubt that Lancastrians have big hearts and a generosity of spirit that is unparalleled and there have been many extraordinary efforts by individuals in all sorts of ways. It has been the worst of times with loss of suffering but also sometimes the best of times as we pulled together. 2020 has put the small and important issues into focus, including family, community and kindness. As we say farewell to a tumultuous year and move into a one that promises to be equally turbulent, we all just need to stick together and take things day by day. I need to say a massive thankyou to all of you who have continued to support local journalism as we have endeavoured to be there for you while undergoing hugely challenging times ourselves. Wishing you all a Happy New Year - here's to 2021. Kind regards, Nicola Adam, deputy editor | Please subscribe to support sustainable local journalism in your community via www.lep.co.uk or www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk There have been 76,471 coronavirus cases in Lancashire since March - here is the full daily breakdown of case numbers for every area in the county The number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Lancashire since the start of the pandemic is now 76,471. Primary schools in these areas of England are not expected to reopen next week Some primary schools in England will not reopen to all pupils next week as planned, it has been announced. This is every confirmed case of Covid in the North West on Thursday, December 31, 2020 Another 3,420 people have tested positive in the North West, bringing the region's total number of cases to 363,701 as of Thursday, December 31, 2020. Work continues on reducing suicide rate in Chorley which is identified as a Lancashire blackspot Chorley is among the top five districts in Lancashire for suicides or drugs deaths This interactive map shows the tier levels for every area of England Swathes of towns and cities in England have been moved into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions as the Government tries to tackle a third wave of infections. View more news

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