Coronavirus: Merseyside ‘becomes an area of ​​concern’

Merseyside has been added to Public Health England’s list as an “area of ​​concern” following a spike in coronavirus cases, the regional mayor said.

This follows a “rapid increase” in Covid-19 cases in the Liverpool city region, Steve Rotheram confirmed.

Health officials have warned that stricter measures to halt the spread of the virus could be reintroduced if the infection rate continues to rise.

But Rotheram said “there is still time for us to stop that from happening.”

“But doing it is up to us and what we decide to do,” he added.

“Please follow the advice and act responsibly to help keep yourself and others safe, and help us stop the spread of this disease.”

Public health officials in Liverpool have confirmed that 303 people tested positive for the virus in the past seven days, double the number the week before.

Liverpool public health director Matt Ashton said this should be “a wake-up call” adding that “at this rate we will be in a very, very serious position again before we know it.”

“The next few days are absolutely critical if we want to avoid an escalation and the possibility of the kind of measures we have seen in other areas of the country when cases have increased,” he added.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson has made a “request” for people to follow the rules, adding that “Liverpool cannot afford another lockdown.”

Merseyside now faces the prospect of joining parts of Greater Manchester and Lancashire by imposing additional Covid-19 restrictions on social gatherings.

Councilman Ian Maher, head of the Sefton Council, said “the current increase is cause for concern.”

He said it was “vital” that residents follow the government’s guidelines and continue “the great efforts they have already made to prevent us from being locked up.”

Councilman Graham Morgan, the leader of the Knowsley Council, said he did not believe the younger generation was the sole reason for the increase in cases, adding that “he had seen people of all ages breaking the rules.”

“The simple fact is, this has to end,” he said.

Sue Forster, St Helens public health director, said: “We have seen how Bolton in the space of two weeks has gone from having restrictions to be removed to imposed closures of bars and restaurants and a ban on mixing with other households.” . “

He said he did not want St. Helens to go down this path, adding that “the consequences could be devastating.”