MERSEYSIDE has seen a big rise in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks, but one neighbourhood has been hit particularly hard.

Noctorum South has 12 cases of the virus, more than any other area in Merseyside.

Case numbers have risen across Wirral, with 101 infections recorded in the most recent weekly figures between August 29 and September 4.

That represents a huge rise in the space of just a couple of weeks.

In the seven days between August 15 and August 21 there were just 24 coronavirus cases in the borough.

Wirral Globe:

Chart showing rate of new coronavirus cases in the boroughs of the Liverpool City Region and the region as a whole up to August 19.

Speaking about the high number of cases in Noctorum South, Lib Dem councillor Allan Brame, said: "The current figures show a rise in the younger age groups, which is perhaps due to more testing, but there is a danger that they will transmit it to their parents and more vulnerable adults."

Cllr Brame, who represents the Oxton ward which includes part of the Noctorum South neighbourhood, said that people failing to follow social distancing in places such as pubs and gyms was part of the explanation for rising cases numbers.

Four Wirral pubs have had to close temporarily following customers or staff testing positive for coronavirus in the space of one week.

The Refreshment Rooms in Rock Ferry, The Magazine Hotel in Wallasey, Sue's Bar in Birkenhead and Hornblowers, also in Birkenhead, have all taken precautionary measures to prevent the virus spreading.

Cllr Brame wanted to sound a note of caution, saying his view was somewhere between those who are flouting the rules and those who are most fearful of a second wave of infections.

He added: "I do sense a lot of people not taking it seriously, without generalising I think it is probably more the case among younger age groups, but there are a lot of people in my ward who feel very anxious.

"Some are not leaving their homes because they’re shielding and they feel some people are being totally irresponsible.

"Some are unduly frightened and some are disregarding the rules and being cavalier. We just need to adhere to the basic guidance given to get on top of this."

Other areas of the peninsula which have a large number of infections include Poulton with seven cases and Wallasey Village with six infections.

The majority of Wirral's cases are concentrated in the more populous east of the borough around Birkenhead and Wallasey.

On Friday, Wirral Council's leader Pat Hackett said there was a "very real risk" the rising number of Covid-19 cases could see the borough plunged into a local lockdown.

In a plea to residents, Cllr Hackett said: "I ask you to please go back to the basics: wash your hands frequently, keep your distance, wear your face covering and if you think you have symptoms, self-isolate and get tested."

Liverpool has also recorded a major increase in cases.

Between August 29 and September 4, the city registered a worrying 133 coronavirus infections, far more than the 74 recorded in the previous week's figures.

This sudden rise was powered by a spike of 80 new confirmed cases in just three days between September 2 and September 4.

Liverpool has not seen cases rising this sharply in months.

The city also contains the second worst hit neighbourhood in Merseyside, with nine people infected in Albert Dock and Queen's Dock.