THE Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region has called on the Government to urgently deploy more Covid-19 testing capacity in the region.
Merseyside was last week identified by the Government as an 'area of concern', with Covid-19 cases are rising across the region.
Related links: https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/18714243.wirral-coronavirus-danger-list/
Steve Rotheram made the call for more testing, along with Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader, Cheshire West and Chester Council; Cllr Sam Corcoran, Leader, Cheshire East Council; Cllr Rob Polhill, Leader, Halton Borough Council and Cllr Russ Bowden, Leader, Warrington Borough Council.
They say immediate increase in testing capacity is now urgent to protect the most vulnerable members of the community and avoid further local lockdowns, say the Leaders and Mayor.
Mr Rotheram said: "We have come together to speak with one voice and urge the Government to immediately deploy additional testing capacity in our region.
“The North West currently has 24% of England’s Covid-19 cases but only around 15% of the national testing capacity.
"This cannot be right and is hampering our effort to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and avoid further, more drastic and damaging lockdown measures.
"My colleagues and I are fully committed to working in partnership with national government, but we need the right support and resource to help us at a regional level.
"We hope for an immediate, positive response from Government, which is fundamental to us getting the virus under control in our region."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article