Coronavirus infection numbers in Sefton are falling after a long and steep rise.
In the week up to January 8, the borough’s infection rate was 1,119 per 100,000.
But three days later, looking at the seven-day period to January 11, this has fallen to 1,034.
The numbers are still incredibly high, but show early signs of coming back under control after more than a month of soaring.
On December 3, the day after the second national lockdown ended, Sefton’s rate was 73.
By Christmas Day, this had risen to 178, before ballooning to 530 on New Year’s Day, only to more than double to 1,119 between January 1 and January 8.
This steep rise is what the borough needs to reverse if the virus is to be brought back under control in the coming weeks and months, with the associated chance to reduce restrictions.
Find out how many Covid-19 cases there are in your area by adding your postcode below
Of course, the other cause for optimism in the future is the vaccine, the first jab of which has been given to 38% of over 80s in the North West.
However, it will take several months to fully roll out the vaccination programme, meaning the need to reduce cases of the virus is clear and urgent.
A more encouraging picture is also emerging in the rest of Merseyside.
In Liverpool, between January 8 and January 11, the seven-day infection rate fell from 1,064 per 100,000 to 964 per 100,000.
Wirral’s rate was 982 on January 8, but came down to 894 by January 11.
A much clearer fall, from 1,470 to 1,179 was recorded in Knowsley, while St Helens’ rate fell from 868 to 823 in the same period.
This pattern must persist if our region is to get the virus back under control.
