Latest figures show that Wirral’s COVID-19 infection rate has dropped to 779.0 per 100,000 from 968.8 per 100,000 during the previous week.
Current figures, for the week ending 15 January 2021, show a drop in 20 of 22 Wirral wards, with the exceptions of New Brighton and Greasby, Frankby & Irby.
There were 2,524 new cases of COVID-19 (Pillar 1 & 2) reported in the figures for the week ending 15 January, down from 3,139 during the previous week.
Wirral’s Director of Public Health, Julie Webster, urged caution in a recent statement, “I think it’s important for us all to take some comfort in the thought that the lockdown measures may be having an effect on the spread of the virus, but we must remember: this is a critical time for our borough and it’s vital that we all double down in our efforts to control the spread.
“Our health services and the fantastic essential workers that keep this borough moving are giving us their all, we should be doing the same for them in return.
“Every little bit counts and your support now is more vital than ever, we have to get this virus under control.”
Here are the five simple things you must do to help stop the spread:
- Stay home
- Increase your handwashing
- Wear a face covering if you do leave the house
- Keep your distance from others
- Got symptoms? Self-isolate and get a test via www.wirral.gov.uk/test
Symptom-free testing began in Wirral on Monday 7 December to help stop the spread of COVID-19 this winter.
Symptom-free COVID-19 testing in Wirral is now strictly by appointment only. This is so demand can be managed, ensuring that essential workers can get tested.
Wirral residents can book a test here.
Testing is available at four testing centres across the Borough and will enable thousands of residents without symptoms to get tested so that we can support them to isolate before they develop symptoms and reduce the spread of the virus.
The test centre at Birkenhead Market has been closed down and replaced with a new testing centre at the former House of Fraser store on Grange Road, near Argyle Street.
- The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton open 7 days a week 10.30am to 6:15pm
- Greasby Library open 7 days a week 10.30am to 6:15pm
- Eastham Library open 7 days a week 10.30am to 6:15pm
- Former House of Fraser Building open 7 days a week 9am to 4:15pm
For people who suspect they have symptoms, the following test centres are available – booking is advisable, but not essential – all are open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm:
- Hamilton Building car park, Conway Street
- Car park off Civic Way near Civic Centre and Police Station, Bebington
- Car park off Seaview Road, near Liscard Community Facility Complex
- Heswall Library
The following symptomatic test centres are booking only:
- Europa Leisure Centre, Birkenhead
- Car park at West Kirby Concourse
- Liverpool Airport, Manchester Airport or Haydock
Wirral Council has warned that scammers are using the pandemic in an attempt to obtain bank details. Wirral Council warned, “We are aware of a scam where people receive a text message supposedly from the NHS telling them they are eligible for a vaccine with a link to apply. Whilst the NHS will contact people in a variety of ways, they will know your details. Any requests for bank details is a scam.”
Nationally, approaching two million people throughout the UK have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the past seven days, government figures show.
By the end of Tuesday 4.61 million people had received their first jab, up from 2.64 million the previous week.
Matt Hancock told MPs: “We’re giving 200 vaccinations every minute.”
He continued, “This virus is a lethal threat to us all and as we respond through this huge endeavour let’s all take comfort in the fact we’re giving 200 vaccinations every minute, but in the meantime everyone, everyone must follow the rules to protect the NHS and save lives.”
The government targets to offer a vaccine to all over 70s, the extremely clinical vulnerable and health and care workers by mid-February.