People in Wirral have today been urged to continue to work together to help support the local NHS as the borough’s main acute hospital is facing a significant increase in Covid-19 admissions.

The Leader of Wirral Council and the Chief Executive of the borough’s main hospital at Arrowe Park (part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust - WUTH) have joined in calls for people to help ensure the spread of Covid-19 in the borough is brought under control to allow the new Government restrictions to be lifted as soon as possible.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust reports a marked increase in cases and want to preserve their ability to continue treating patients coming in for planned operations as much as possible.

The hospital is also urging local people not to come to the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms unless they are in need of urgent care and to follow the NHS advice to call NHS 111.

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Janette Williamson, said: “Our public health officials are saying this could be worse than the first wave and we are facing a truly worrying situation. 

"I absolutely understand how frustrated people are at being asked to abide by new restrictions – they apply to me too as a Wirral resident and whilst it’s really difficult after six months of restrictions, we all have to pull together.

“But these figures show we are seeing a massive increase in people becoming infected with Covid-19 in the community and having to go to hospital - and there will be more deaths unless we act now and work together.

"But if people continue to stick to the rules, we can hopefully get these restrictions lifted as soon as possible.”

In recent weeks Wirral has been seeing a rise in the numbers of people testing positive from Covid-19.

As a result, new restrictions have been put in place by the Government for the Wirral and the rest of the Liverpool City Region from Wednesday October 14 and are due to be reviewed after four weeks.

Since August 24, Wirral has observed a steady increase in daily cases in the community, which is continuing.

Prior to that date, cases were between two to six per day. Now the average of the last seven days (up to October 10, 2020) is 137 cases per day.

The latest data shows that in Wirral the seven day incidence rate is 312 per 100,000 people and the percentage of individuals testing positive 9.3%.

According to WUTH, the number of patients with COVID occupying a bed in Wirral hospitals is rising significantly mirroring the trend in the community.

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive of WUTH, said: "All health and care staff are working incredibly hard once again to care for and protect the people of Wirral and we are all really grateful for the sacrifices people in the communities we serve are making to support us.

“No one wanted to see this situation again but only by working together can we limit the spread of the virus and get these restrictions lifted and return to some normality.”