Coronavirus infections in Liverpool are now doubling every six days as more than 8,000 pupils in the city self-isolate due to positive cases in their schools.
Mayor Joe Anderson tweeted the figures this afternoon in what is another bleak update as the city battles a surge in the virus.
The Mayor said a further 1,254 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the city this week, suggesting a further acceleration in the spread of the virus after public health director Matt Ashton said yesterday cases were doubling every seven to eight days.
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It comes amid warnings that bars and restaurants in the city could be shut for two weeks and all socialising banned in an attempt to slow the mounting number of cases.
Mayor Anderson tweeted: "New infections of COVID-19 in this last week in Liverpool is 1,254, this has increased the numbers infected to approx 5,000 it is doubling every six days.
"There are currently 8,000 school children at home self isolating and over 350 teachers & staff. Please stay safe and take care."
The number of pupils and staff now self isolating has risen by 3,000 in only four days and will prompt deep concern among educators.
The growing number of staff isolating also raises the prospect of more schools having to shut completely as staff numbers drop too low for them to operate.
So far, Liverpool's rise in cases has not been reflected in the number of deaths, but public health officials and medical professionals are warning that hospitals are beginning to feel the strain.
Dr Richard Wenstone, a consultant intensivist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and former Liverpool councillor, last week told the Liverpool Echo that the government should shut pubs and restaurants to stem the strain on doctors.
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He said the hospital was already seeing a strain similar to the start of winter - but much earlier in the year than doctors would normally expect.
Dr Wenstone said: "Winters are normally very busy, but you would not expect a normal winter to start in the middle of September.
"I think what we're seeing is a big resurgence in Covid patients. It's not as bad yet as it was in April, which was particularly bad.
"But we were just coming out of winter, and luckily last winter the flu season was pretty mild, and by February that had started to fade."
