Latest figures show that Wirral’s COVID-19 infection rate has risen from 53.7 per 100,000 last week to 67.3 per 100,000. The number of cases (Pillar 1 & 2) rose from 174 to 218.
With widespread non-symptom testing starting in the borough last week, numbers were expected to rise. However, the figures show that the rise is greater than can be accounted for by the number of positive tests in non-symptomatic people.
The most recent figures for the week ending 11 December, saw 11 areas of Wirral with a rise in the infection rate:
- Rock Ferry: 150 per 100,000
- Claughton: 103.8 per 100,000
- Prenton: 94.8 per 100,000
- Wallasey: 74.9 per 100,000
- Heswall: 84.1 per 100,000
- Moreton West & Saughall Massie: 71.0 per 100,000
- Eastham: 70.7 per 100,000
- West Kirby & Thurstaston: 71.2 per 100,000
- Bebington: 57.3 per 100,000
- Bromborough: 49.3 per 100,000
- Greasby, Frankby & Irby: 51.1 per 100,000
Liscard, Upton, and Leasowe & Moreton East remained at the same level as the previous week, whilst the remaining eight wards saw a drop in the infection rate.
Symptom-free testing began in Wirral on Monday 7 December to help stop the spread of Covid-19 this winter.
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 army will provide support with the initial set up with sites identified at:
- The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton open 7 days a week 10am to 7pm (last test at 6:30pm)
- Greasby Library open 7 days a week 10am to 7pm (last test at 6:30pm)
- Eastham Library open 7 days a week 10am to 7pm (last test at 6:30pm)
- Birkenhead Market open 6 days Mon – Sat 9am to 5pm (last test at 4:30pm) (Closed Sunday)
Wirral Council has warned that scammers are using the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine to try to con money out of elderly people. New Ferry residents have received phone calls in which a recorded phone message prompts them to book non-existent Covid-19 “vaccine appointments”.
People receiving the bogus calls are asked to confirm their “booking” by pressing a button on their phone which results in them being billed by their phone service provider. Wirral Council has warned people to “be on their guard”.
The figures show that Wirral’s rate of 67.3 is better than the rate for the whole of Merseyside at 86.7, the North West at 138.6 and England at 192.1.
