Wirral’s coronavirus infections are rocketing and new restrictions to curb the rise may be announced this week.
The borough's infection rate is now 160 per 100,000 residents, with 517 coronavirus cases recorded between September 19 and September 25, the most recent figures available.
That may be the lowest in Merseyside, but it is a huge rise on the rate of 53 per 100,000 recorded just three weeks ago. Even a fortnight back, Wirral’s rate was below 100.
The growth of the virus in Wirral since the end of July is staggering. On July 31, there were just 15 cases in the borough at a rate of five per 100,000.
Such numbers appear to be the source of serious concern for the government.
It has been reported that Merseyside, along with other parts of the North of England, is one of the places where new restrictions including a complete ban on social meetings and a two-week shutdown of the hospitality sector could be announced this week if case numbers continue to grow.
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In Merseyside, Knowsley has the highest infection rate at 280 cases per 100,000 people, while Liverpool’s rate of 262 per 100,000 people is also incredibly high.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said the virus was getting “out of control” in the city and a short-term full lockdown was the only way to turn things around.
In St Helens and Sefton the infection rate has also been growing. There are now 188 cases per 100,000 in St Helens and 165 infections per 100,000 in Sefton.
There is major concern about the impact another period of closure for pubs and restaurants would have on the economy.
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, said any new restrictions needed to be met with further government support, otherwise an economic disaster with businesses going under and thousands losing their jobs could ensue.
He added: "To be effective, any announcement on further local restrictions or local lockdowns has to come with clear messaging and a package of measures to protect jobs and support the local economy, including a local furlough scheme, financial support for businesses and support for the self-employed - many of whom have not received any help at all since this crisis began."
