Liverpool’s director of public health has said he expects the city’s coronavirus rate to linger at around 50 cases per 100,000 people for the next week, rather than drop further.
It comes as the return to school continues across the city, with the council looking to monitor closely the effect that has on the spread of infection.
A large scale testing program of students and staff has been put in place to try to reduce infections.
The reopening of schools is the first step in the proposed easing of restrictions and comes almost two months after Liverpool’s coronavirus rate peaked.
To see coronavirus levels in your area, enter your postcode below.
Speaking at a recent Liverpool Council Health and Wellbeing Board meeting, public health director Matt Ashton said Liverpool’s position now was drastically different from the start of January, when the coronavirus rate was more than ten times what it is now.
He said: “Where we are now is our infection rate is down to 54 per 100,000, which of course is great news and much reduced from our peak on January 8 of over 1,100 cases per 100,000.
“It is a much improved position from that peak. I am not expecting our rates to reduce massively more.
“Over the last couple of days it has only come down a little bit so I do think we’ll be around 50 for the next week or so.”
Mr Ashton said the reopening of schools and the effect that had on infection rates would be monitored closely, as would the loosening of restrictions in other areas.
The reopening comes as vaccinations continue to be administered across the UK.
Cabinet member for health Paul Brant urged anyone offered a vaccination appointment to take one up, as concern continues about some areas of the city having lower vaccination rates than others.
He also urged people to ensure they are registered with a GP so they could be contacted as soon as possible once eligible for vaccination.
