Latest figures show that Wirral’s COVID-19 infection rate has risen to nearly three times the previous week’s numbers and over 10 times the numbers a month ago,
Current figures, for the week ending 1 January 2021, show an infection rate of 600.9 per 100,000 compared to last week’s figure of 213.9 per 100,000, which represents a sharp three fold increase. The number of cases (Pillar 1 & 2) rose to 1947, up from 693 the previous week.
The infection rate of 600.9 per 100,000 is over 10 times as much as the figures showed for the week ending 4 December 2020, which stood at 53.7.
Every one of Wirral’s 22 wards showed an increase in the infection rate. For the first since April 2020, the UK as a whole has recorded more than 1,000 daily COVID-19-related deaths.
Symptom-free testing began in Wirral on Monday 7 December to help stop the spread of COVID-19 this winter. The increase in the infection rate by far outstrips the extra non-symptomatic cases diagnosed through this programme. It is not yet known how many of Wirral’s cases of the fast-spreading variant of the virus.
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 Floral Pavilion, New Brighton open 7 days a week 10.30am to 6:30pm
- Greasby Library open 7 days a week 10.30am to 6:30pm
- Eastham Library open 7 days a week 10.30am to 6:30pm
- Birkenhead Market open 6 days Mon – Sat 9am to 4:15pm (Closed Sunday)
Wirral Council has warned that scammers are using the pandemic in an attempt to obtain bank details. In a tweet, 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.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to address the nation, regarding the vaccination programme, tonight at 17:00 GMT. He will be joined by NHS CEO Simon Stevens and Brigadier Phil Prosser.