COVID-19: Infection rate plummets in Wirral but climbs in five areas

Latest figures show that Wirral’s COVID-19 infection rate has dropped to 88.6 per 100,000 from 116.0 per 100,000 during the previous week.

This shows a considerable fall from the peak infection rate in the borough of 968.8 per 100,000.

Current figures, for the week ending 26 February 2021, show a drop in 16 of 22 Wirral wards, with New Brighton, Bromborough, Birkenhead & Tranmere, Clatterbridge, and West Kirby & Thurstaston seeing the infection rate rise, whilst it remains the same in one ward; Upton.

There were 287 new cases of COVID-19 (Pillar 1 & 2) reported in the figures for the week ending 26 February, down from 386 during the previous week.

Infection rate by ward for week ending 26 February 2021
New Brighton 323.8/100,000
Seacombe 168.3/100,000
Liscard 130.3/100,000
Bidston & St. James 129.9/100,000
Bromborough 123.3/100,000
Leasowe & Moreton East 113,7/100,000
Rock Ferry 95.5/100,000
Eastham 99.0/100,000
Birkenhead & Tranmere 83.8/100,000
Upton 77.1/100,000
Oxton 93.5/100,000
Clatterbridge 91.7/100,000
West Kirby & Thurstaston 55.4/100,000
Wallasey 40.8/100,000
Moreton West & Saughall Massie 42.6/100,000
Prenton 33.9/100,000
Pensby & Thingwall 38.2/100,000
Hoylake & Meols 37.5/100,000
Heswall 31.8/100,000
Claughton 34.6/100,000
Greasby, Frankby& Irby 36.5/100,000
Bebington 38.2/100,000

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 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 following test centres are open for people who are asymptomatic and is strictly by appointment only.

  • 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 Monday to Saturday 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 Inteligence Service

The following information has been issued by the NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning group regarding vaccinations:

The NHS is currently delivering the vaccine in three main ways:

Local vaccination centres – GP practices in Wirral are working together, contacting eligible patients and inviting them for appointments at local vaccination centres when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.  GP-led vaccination centres in Wirral are up and running at the locations below – you’ll be invited to the one your GP practice is linked to.

  • Victoria Central Hospital, Wallasey
  • St Catherine’s Health Centre, Tranmere
  • Birkenhead Medical Building
  • Woodchurch Leisure Centre
  • The Oval Leisure Centre, Bebington
  • Moreton Cross Group Practice

Regional vaccination centres – People who are eligible and who haven’t already been vaccinated by their local GP led vaccination services might also receive a letter from the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service, giving them the option of booking an appointment at a different site. Mass vaccination centres for Cheshire and Merseyside are located at Chester Racecourse and St Helens.  You do not have to take up this offer if you don’t want to – your local GP-led service will be in touch to invite you to a local vaccination centre if you don’t respond.

Hospital vaccinations – A hospital vaccination hub is also in place at Clatterbridge Hospital.  The hospital site is predominantly aimed at vaccinating frontline staff and staff in patient-facing roles across the wider health and social care workforce.