Coronavirus infection rates in a number of areas of Liverpool are now at levels not seen for more than four months.
While the city’s overall infection rate remains much lower than what was seen earlier in 2021, pockets of concerningly high levels have emerged in the city.
Unlike earlier in the year, a significantly larger proportion of the population have received either one or both doses of a vaccine, meaning there is a higher level of protection within the population.
A combination of the Delta variant, which is believed to be more transmissible, and an easing of restrictions are believed to be causing a new surge in cases.
The final easing of restrictions, originally set for June 21, is now expected to be delayed by four weeks due to the rise in cases.
While Liverpool’s overall infection rate of around 120 cases per 100,000 people remains far below its peak earlier this year, some areas of the city now have infection levels not seen since the middle of the winter lockdown.
The area defined by the NHS as Wavertree South is seeing a case rate of 278.6 cases per 100,000 people, a level not recorded since the end of January.
The situation is similar in a number of other areas in Liverpool that are currently suffering from higher infection levels.
In the north of the city, Kirkdale South and Vauxhall’s infection rate of 243.6 cases per 100,000 people has not been seen since mid-February.
According to the NHS coronavirus dashboard, Toxteth’s current infection rate of 230.7 cases per 100,000 people is the highest it has been since early March.
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The neighbourhood is one of a number of areas where vaccination rates are lagging behind the city average, with local leaders continuing to urge people to take up the offer of a jab.
Toxteth’s situation is mimicked by a number of other neighbourhoods across the city which now have case rates in the triple figures.
In most areas this has not been seen since early or mid-March, as the lockdown was coming to an end.
While high vaccination levels among older and more vulnerable groups appears to be keeping hospitalisations low, a continued rise in Liverpool would be expected to have a knock on effect for the NHS.
This has been seen in areas such as Bolton and Blackburn, which have experienced much more drastic surges than Liverpool.
Experts are continuing to advise people to take up the offer of a coronavirus vaccine and make sure they get both jabs for maximum protection.
They are also being asked to continue to follow existing coronavirus rules, wearing masks where required, social distancing wherever possible, and practising regular hand washing.
