A tenth of all covid cases in Sefton have been reported in just one week.
Between December 24 and December 30, 6,316 covid cases were reported in the borough.
Sefton has seen just over 64,000 cases during the entire pandemic, meaning one in ten of all cases in the borough have occurred in that recent seven-day period.
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The figures also represent a significant jump from the previous week, where a total of 3,058 cases were reported.
While many of the cases have been in the under 60 age group, sharp increases have also been seen in those over 60, which is a concern.
Latest figures show a prevalence rate of 2,289 cases per 100,000, a huge jump, as seen elsewhere in the country since the arrival of the Omicron variant – although this does not appear so far to have resulted in a significant increase in hospital admissions.
The most recent data available for Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, which covers a period up until December 26, shows 20 covid patients being treated in the trust’s hospitals, with one person receiving mechanical ventilation – figures much in line with rates seen at the Trust over recent months, although some increases in daily admissions have been recorded since mid-November.
Public health officials in Sefton are continuing to urge residents to get vaccinated with 82% of people in the borough having so far received their first dose vaccination, 77% their second with 57% having received a booster or third dose vaccine.
Boris Johnson is set to give a statement to Parliament this afternoon, addressing ongoing covid restrictions in the face of the surging Omicron rates.
He is meeting his Cabinet this morning to discuss the growing Omicron cases before giving an update to MPs, and the nation, at around 4pm.
The prime minister is expected to keep Plan B for England and is not due to announce any other restrictions, with indications Boris Johnson intends to “ride out” the Omicron wave.
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