New figures show the pattern of coronavirus infections in Wirral is changing.
In the fortnight up to October 2, the ward of Wallasey recorded 89 infections, more than any other part of the borough.
The second and third most affected wards, Liscard and Seacombe on 87 and 86 cases respectively, are also within the Wallasey constituency.
This represents a noticeable change in the pattern of the virus spread in Wirral.
Last week was the first time a Wallasey ward had been among the three worst affected areas in Wirral in this ‘second wave’ of Covid-19.
During August and most of September, the borough’s spike in cases was centred around Birkenhead but in recent weeks case numbers have risen significantly in Wallasey.
Cases are still high in the Birkenhead area. Bidston and St James, Claughton, and Birkenhead and Tranmere, are the other three wards in Wirral which have registered 75 or more cases in the past fortnight.
But Prenton and Rock Ferry, the two worst-hit wards in the figures for the fortnight up to September 18, no longer feature among the borough’s most affected areas.
Infections continue to be far higher in the east of the borough than the west. Among Wirral’s least affected wards are Moreton West and Saughall Massie, Heswall, and Pensby and Thingwall.
However, Eastham is an exception to the rule. The ward, located in the south-east of the borough, is currently registering some of the lowest infection numbers in Wirral.
But even in these less hit parts of the borough case numbers are rising.
The wards of Pensby and Thingwall, and Heswall, recorded more than 30 cases in these figures. In numbers just a fortnight ago, both wards registered less than 20 infections.
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How does Wirral compare to the rest of the region?
Despite increases across the borough, Wirral’s case numbers are the lowest in Merseyside.
On the most recent figures, Wirral had 736 cases in a seven day period at a rate of 227 per 100,000.
Liverpool’s number of 2,658 cases at a rate of 534 per 100,000 dwarfs Wirral’s, as does Knowsley’s 819 infections at a rate of 543.
The surging case numbers mean Merseyside, as well as swathes of northern England, could face pub and restaurant closures as early as Monday in a package of tough new coronavirus restrictions amid fears the disease is spiralling out of control.
