There have been 200 confirmed cases of COVD-19 in Liverpool over the last week, and public health bosses are now pleading with people to follow guidance around social distancing, wearing face coverings and limiting exposure to other households.
Data covering testing up until Saturday 5 September show the total number of positive tests increased by 125 cases on the previous week, when there were 75. Almost 60 percent of cases are in people aged under 40.
The wards with the largest number of confirmed cases are Riverside (24 cases), Allerton and Hunts Cross (13 cases), Picton (9 cases), Church (9 cases), Cressington (9 cases), Central (8 cases), Wavertree (8 cases), County (8 cases), and Woolton (8 cases). Compared to the previous week, confirmed cases in all the wards have increased.
Director of Public Health Matt Ashton said: “I am extremely concerned by the rise in positive cases over the last week – we are seeing most of them in people under the age of 40 and the worry is that they could spread it to older relatives, who are more at risk of serious illness and hospitalisation. We are also seeing increasing evidence of longer term effects of the illness on people – it can be a very dangerous disease.
“Now that schools have reopened we really need to all focus on the basics to get case numbers as low as possible and stop it spreading from the community into classrooms. That means social distancing, washing hands regularly and wearing a face covering in most indoor places.
“We would also advise people not to use restaurants, cafes and bars where they are not taking your details when you arrive or where there are not adequate hygiene measures in place. They are putting your health at risk as you will not be contacted by test and trace if there is a positive case.
“We all have a part to play here, and if we don’t get this right, we are risking enhanced measures across the city, or a second lockdown, which would be devastating for individuals, for businesses and for the economy.”
The latest weekly rate of COVID-19 in Liverpool is now 40.1 per 100,000 people.
The latest report can be read here: https://liverpool.gov.uk/covidcases
Key advice
· Stay at least 2 metres away from anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble
· Wash your hands with soap and water often, and as soon as you get home
· Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water not available
· Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose where social distancing is not possible outdoors and indoors.
· By law, you must now wear face coverings in most indoor settings including public transport, shops, post-offices, banks, beauty salons, visitor attractions and entertainment venues, libraries, community centres, places of worship and public areas in hotels.
· Use Covid Safe businesses who are following the government guidance.
