Local COVID Alert Level High

Leaders urge people to work together to help protect borough’s health services

People in Wirral have 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.

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 today (Wednesday October 14) and are due to be reviewed in 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 2-6 per day. Now the average of the last 7 days (up to 10/10/2020) is 137 cases per day.

The latest data show that in Wirral the 7 day incidence rate is 312.0 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.

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.”

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive of WUTH, said: “Our 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.”

To see what you can and can’t now do in Wirral, visit the Council website at wirral.gov.uk/covidguide

In summary, it is now against the law to:

• host people you do not live with in your home or garden
• meet people you do not live with in their home or garden, whether inside or outside th affected local areas
• socialise with people who you do not live with in any indoor settings, whether inside or outside of the affected local areas

Please note: Members of your support or childcare bubble are exempt from the above restrictions.

It is also advised that people should:

• not meet with people they do not live with, unless they’re in their support bubble, in any outdoor public venues. This includes outdoor areas of venues (such as a beer garden) and areas directly outside of settings or venues, such as the pavement or road and parks. This applies to inside and outside of the affected local areas
• not visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances
• only use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work
• only take holidays within your household group or support bubble
• avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators

Additionally:

• hospitality venues (food and drink) will be restricted to table service only
• leisure and entertainment venues required to close between 10pm to 5am